America’s Best Racing and handicapper (and avid gambler) Monique Vág team up to provide horseplayers with their best bets of the weekend in this regular feature blog.
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
Exacta Box
Saturday, Race 3, Woodbine, 1:55 p.m. ET
#6 Vanish: It's hard not to think connections think highly of this horse entering him in his first career race after only three workouts, the first being Aug. 19. His workouts seem to be very similar to others in here and although I would prefer to see him with a career start, I think it's tough to overlook a good pedigree and strong training connections.
#9 Yorkton: This colt was well bet in his career debut and put up a good speed rating while finishing a length and a half off the winner. I like that he's already had racing experience in general, and I think it's an added bonus that they have been over the all-weather surface. This colt seems to show enough speed and quick workouts to lead me to believe he will be sent hard out of the starting gate. For those reasons, drawing post No. 9 isn't the worst. He has a good shot.
#7 Tricky Gamble: It's hard not to respect Josie Carroll horses racing at Woodbine. She sends them out ready and a lot of them seem to take well to the all-weather surface. I'm not sure if this colt won't prefer a longer distance, but I think he fits well with this company. He's been working out anywhere from three furlongs to six. Certainly capable to strike on first asking.
Best Bet
Saturday, Race 4, Woodbine, Ontario Derby, 2:24 p.m. ET
#6 Ami's Gizmo: Ignore this colt's last race, I just don't think he took well to the turf and moved a little too early. Pay more attention to the record at Woodbine over the all-weather surface against entirely stakes company. Narrowly lost Woodbine's marquee event for 3-year-olds, the Queen's Plate, by half a length. I don't think the outside post in that was best suited for him, but nonetheless he ran a big race. He'll want the lead in here today and will probably sit up front just off uncontested fractions. His race to lose.
Best Bet
Saturday, Race 8, Woodbine, Canadian Stakes, 4:30 p.m. ET
#2 Dacita: There's no denying she's in tough today, however her last two performances are certainly special. Last time out she closed from 10 lengths back to win the Grade 1 Diana. Two back she beat the super-talented Sea Calisi who went on next start to win the Grade 1 Beverly D. Stakes. It's hard not be impressed by her resume. Irad Ortiz Jr. will probably have the choice of positioning her wherever he wants (due to drawing post No. 2) and I think she can win from anywhere.
Longshot Play
Sunday, Race 5, Belmont Park, 3:36 p.m. ET
#10 Cats Halo: I'm looking to swing for the fences in a wide open maiden claiming field. I think most in here have a legitimate shot, but I find myself intrigued by this filly. I think her best efforts have been over the turf surface and I like that she will likely be involved early today. She's been bet in quite a few of her starts, but hasn't really ever been much of a factor entering the stretch. I actually think the extra couple of furlongs she's entered in today work to her advantage. She's worth a closer look at b
