Best Bets of the Weekend: Promising Newcomer, Pair of Soft Spots

Gambling

America’s Best Racing and handicapper (and avid gambler) Monique Vág team up to provide horseplayers with their best bets of the weekend in a regular feature blog that will run on Fridays.

Each week, handicapper and avid gambler Monique Vág will provide at least one “Best Bet” of the weekend, ideal for a win bet. The post also will include some combination of additional bets for the weekend.

For some posts, Vág will try to identify a longshot play of the weekend, a nice opportunity to swing for the fences on a win bet or to take a shot with a show bet. She also will look for strong exacta plays for the weekend or occasionally try to spot a nice opportunity for other wagers.

This Weekend’s Bets

Longshot Play

Saturday, Race 4, Santa Anita Park, 6 p.m. ET

#2 Dangerfield: I’m drawn to this colt’s workouts in early April at three furlongs. His breeding indicates he should like the sprint distance he’s entered in today. He was a $450,000 purchase at the 2015 Keeneland September yearling sale and extra expensive compared what what horses by his sire went for on average at that sale ($108,720). I think he’ll be forwardly placed in here today and offers a good price against maiden company as a first-time starter.

Best Bet

Sunday, Race 5, Churchill Downs, 2:43 p.m. ET

#1 Forevamo: I usually stay away from selecting horses with a whole bunch of runner-up finishes and only one win as my best bet, but this case is a definite exception. This colt has faced some of the top 3-year-olds in his last three races and top competition throughout his career. He shows up every race though and clearly is in a league of his own in here today. He meets a super-soft field and takes a huge drop in class.

Exacta Box

Sunday, Race 9, Churchill Downs, 4:51 p.m. ET

#3 Pyjama Party: This colt ran really well in his debut on American soil while trying Lasix (furosemide) for the first time. He’s ran all of his career races on the turf and seems perfectly suited for travelling the route distance. He draws well and I expect him to work out a nice, ground-saving rail trip.

#6 Greengrassofyoming: This gelding is one of several in here entered with a claiming price tag. The last time he raced in a $62,500 allowance race, he posted a 103 Beyer Speed Figure and completely romped. I’m sure he’ll appreciate the drop in class here today. Worthy of a closer look for sure.

#1 Speightsland: I think this horse will be close to the front today, and I think if rated well he could benefit off some softer fractions up front. He certainly belongs with this company. He’s had quite a bit of turf experience, which I think only adds to his appeal.

Best Bet

Sunday, Race 8, Belmont Park, 5:13 p.m. ET

#2 Swipe: He was second best to Nyquist four starts in a row. On Sunday, he drops out of the graded stakes ranks and meets a really weak group with only one other even having some type of stakes experience. He’ll probably take back and watch the action from mid-pack. There are quite a few in here that look like they will be gunning for the lead. If a speed duel forms up front, it probably would result in an absolute romp by this colt. I think he’ll win this today under wraps.

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