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, Oct. 17

Best Bet

Woodbine, Race 3, 2:18 p.m. ET

#3 Sleek Lynx: Made her career debut near the end of July and just missed after making a four-wide rally late on a turf course listed as “good.” She followed that effort up with a Grade 1 try in the Natalma Stakes and was never a factor. Today, she gets another try on the turf, but gets to face off against other fillies who have never landed in the winner’s circle before. I give her the edge over a few others in here due to her turf experience, and now getting on the Lasix (furosemide) program. All of this could help to spark a big effort.

Best Bet

Belmont Park, Race 7, 3:29 p.m. ET

#1 Striking Causeway: Just missed in his most recent try at a turf sprint distance, finishing second beaten by a neck. He has been at his best when put into play early and draws a good post to utilize that early speed and get to the lead. Lots to like, including getting Irad Ortiz Jr. back on board after he rode him for that most recent try. Despite some time away, he looks good in this spot and looks to be a major factor.

Best Bet

Keenland Race Course, Race 7, 4:24 p.m. ET

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#4 Miss Dial: One of two first-time starters in here for trainer Tom Amoss who looks to have two of the main contenders in the field. This filly draws a better post than the stablemate for Amoss who is clicking at a 23% rate in the maiden special weight ranks and a 20% rate for first-time starters.

Although her recent workouts aren’t as quick as some of the others, she looks primed and ready to race big in her parimutuel debut.

Best Bet

Keenland Race Course, Race 8, 4:57 p.m. ET

#7 Corelli: Broke very slowly in his North American debut but still worked out a very nice rallying effort in early June. Since then he’s tried his luck versus Grade 1 competition and just missed pulling off the upset finishing third beaten only a length and a half, and then tired late in the most recent at a mile and a half. Saturday, he gets to drop out of the graded stakes ranks to face off against easier competition and shortens in distance. Hoping this gelding can break well and secure a stalking trip, just behind the early speed. If that is the case, he will be really tough to beat if on his game.