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, July 25

Longshot Play

Saratoga, Race 9, 5:43 p.m. ET

#8 Sanctuary City: He won his most recent start at Belmont Park in June versus maiden company right after making the move to new connections. He rallied from eight back early in that six-furlong turf race to score by a half-length. In terms of final time, that most recent effort fits in with this group, and the win should do a lot for his confidence. Hopefully he’s able to work out a late closing rally like he did at Belmont in this 1 1/16-mile race to hit the board at a nice price.

Best Bet

Del Mar, Race 7, 8 p.m. ET

#9 Much More Halo: He’s one of only a few horses in here with racing experience over the turf and that’s a huge determining factor for me putting this one on top. Along with five turf races under his belt, he’s also shown steady improvement and has not been beaten by more than a length and a quarter in three of his last four efforts.

Expect this colt to be much sharper returning to the sprinting distance, and look for him to work out a stalking trip just behind some of the early speed.

Longshot Play

Del Mar, Race 9, $150,000 San Clemente Stakes, 9:00 p.m. ET

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#4 Over Attracted: Saturday she makes her second start on North American soil after shipping in from France. In her debut she nearly capitalized off a perfect stalking trip to finish second, beaten only three quarters of a length. She tries her luck this time versus graded stakes company and could be a major factor if she’s able to work out a similar trip.

If her recent works are any indicator of fitness, she exits her stateside debut looking extra sharp, and this filly shapes up as a major contender at long odds.

Best Bet

Del Mar, Race 10, $150,000 San Diego Handicap, 9:30 p.m. ET

#5 Maximum Security: He’s going to be a much shorter price than the even money on the morning line at post time, but looks like a very logical single in your Pick 4 and 5 wagers. He enters on a four-race winning streak and even though he has not raced since late February, he’s already proven ready to fire after a lengthy hiatus in the past.

Look for this three-time Grade 1 winner to be on the front end dictating the tempo. In a race lacking much speed, if he can get to the lead and set a modest pace, he’s not going to be caught late in deep stretch.