
Stars of Yesterday: Looking Back at Best Holy Bull Stakes Winners
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.
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
Saturday, March 10
Best Bet
Aqueduct, Race 8, Heavenly Prize Invitational Stakes, 4:40 p.m. ET
#3 Highway Star: Outside of her poor start and effort in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (mostly due to post position), she’s been ultra consistent and I do think racing at this mile distance is her best. She will very likely appreciate the drop out of the graded stakes ranks to face substantially easier competition — although the drop was not necessary — and make fairly light work of this field.
Best Bet
Santa Anita Park, Race 5, Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes, 5 p.m. ET
#5 World Approval: He’s been pretty much untouchable over the past year and what’s great about being entered in the Kilroe Mile is he’s had a lot of historical success at this Grade 1 level and one-mile distance. His best asset is his racing versatility and the idea that he doesn’t need the front end to win. This gelding has a knack for finding the finish line first, and I love how much power and authority he runs with charging down the stretch. He’s a short price for good reason.
Longshot Play
Aqueduct, Race 9, Tom Fool Handicap, 5:12 p.m. ET
#9 Favorite Tale: When on his game he’s ultra-tough to beat and, although a few years have passed since his best effort, I think there’s something to be said about his class at sprint distances. His best starts have come when he is on or near the lead, and I think that although drawing the outside post, his early speed and running style help his chances greatly today.
Best Bet
Santa Anita Park, Race 6, San Felipe Stakes, 5:30 p.m. ET
#1 Bolt d’Oro: I’m not willing to write this colt off over one poor effort against the best in the world as a Juvenile in the Breeders’ Cup. With that being said, I do think he draws a great post and I much prefer when he’s closer to the pace early. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him urged on early and win this in gate-to=wire fashion.