America’s Best Racing and handicapper (and avid gambler) Monique Vág team up to provide horseplayers with their best bets of the weekend.

Vág will identify her top picks as well as at least one 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 occasionally look for strong exacta plays for the weekend or try to spot a nice opportunity for other wagers.

This Weekend’s Bets

Saturday, June 13

Best Bet

Gulfstream Park, Race 5, 2:10 p.m. ET

#4 Brewmeister: Drops a bit in class today to compete against easier, along with shortening in distance to a much shorter race. Last start, he went to the front end and unfortunately wasn’t able to hang on late. On Saturday, his front-running style could work to his advantage, especially if he’s able to get the lead and control the tempo racing at six furlongs. The price should be fair to take a shot at post.

Longshot Play

Churchill Downs, Race 8, 4:46 p.m. ET

#11 Queen of Shades: This filly moves to the Brad Cox barn after a runner-up finish versus allowance company. Saturday, she returns to racing on the turf and gets another try versus similar competition. Although others in here are taking noticeable drops in class, this filly has more than enough speed to overcome the outside post and definitely fits from a talent perspective. Hoping the time away from racing could help freshen this filly up for a big effort.

Longshot Play

Belmont Park, Race 10, 6:08 p.m. ET

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#8 Gloriously: Comes in off a victory last time out after a race scheduled for the turf was moved to the dirt. She flaunted some early speed and was able to pull away late in deep stretch. Although she competes against winners for the first time exiting the maiden ranks, she could be a major factor if able to sit behind some of the early speed and make a late stretch rally. I like her chances to hit the board as a very live longshot.

Best Bet

Churchill Downs, Race 11, $100,000 Louisville Stakes, 6:22 p.m. ET

#5 Arklow: Although the price at post probably will be short (8-5 odds on the morning line), this horse gets to compete against substantially easier competition. Although this is still a deep group, there is no Zulu Alpha or Bricks and Mortar here. Two starts ago racing at this mile-and-a-half distance, he posted a 114 Speed Figure capitalizing off a stalking trip. A similar trip looks to be in the works on Saturday behind some of the early speed who drew outside.