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, Dec. 12

Longshot Play

Aqueduct, Race 7, 3:17 p.m. ET

#6 Blindwillie McTell: His best efforts have come when showing early speed and taking control early. The addition of blinkers today could help with his interest at the break. Blinkers on has been a profitable angle for trainer Linda Rice, clicking at a 25% rate with horses making the equipment change.

Click image to purchase shirt.

With an ideal draw, stretching out in distance, meeting an overall easier field, plus this time getting to race on a “fast” track, there’s lots to like.

Best Bet

Gulfstream Park, Race 8, $75,000 My Charmer Stakes, 3:38 p.m. ET

#5 Lady Lawyer: Was a very short price in her most recent outing but did not disappoint, leading every step of the way versus allowance company. Today, she tries her luck routing once again and races the longest she has in her career at a mile and a sixteenth.

Although we usually see early speed from her, she seems very versatile and capable off many different types of trips. Although the price will most likely be short at post time, if on her game, she will be very tough.

Longshot Play

Gulfstream Park, Race 10, $200,000 Ft. Lauderdale Stakes, 4:40p.m. ET

#8 Spooky Channel: There’s a lot of early speed entered, and if the others mix things up on the front end early on that could really set up well for this gelding who is likely to work out an off-the-pace approach.

His most recent victory came two starts back when able to save some ground early on and make one late stretch rally. He’s thrived going longer throughout his career, and looks like a very logical live longshot.

Longshot Play

Fair Grounds, Race 11, $100,000 Louisiana Championship Day Turf Stakes, 5:52 p.m. ET

#8 Carlea’s Dream: Although most of it has been versus easier company, this gelding has been racing well on the turf and has yet to finish worse than second through seven career starts on grass.

Expect him to show off that early speed to secure position on the front end or, perhaps, work out a stalking trip. If on his game, he’s certainly capable of a big effort and he may go overlooked on the odds board at post time.