Jeff Siegel’s National Best Plays for Friday, December 23, 2022
Gulfstream Park 3rd race – Post time: 1:06 ET
9-Mooncapture (8-1)
In a wide open maiden juvenile state bred sprint offering several possibilities, let’s shoot for an 8-1 gamble on this first time starting colt from a low profile outfit. The son of Uncaptured flashed excellent quickness (though failing to change leads) when breezing a quarter mile in a quick 21 2/5 seconds at the April OBS sale before bringing $60,000 through the ring. His recent work tab is solid, steady, and strong, and should have him fit and ready for a major effort first crack out of the box. With a good break from the gate, the Ramon Minguel-trained Florida-bred he could outrun expectations at a nice price.
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Fair Grounds 6th Race – Post time: 4:45 CT
4-Roxy’s Ball (9/2)
Smoked a furlong in 9 4/5 seconds at the OBS Spring sale – the fastest clocking for the distance at the venue – and eight months later finally surfaces in the entries in this competitive maiden special weight sprint for fillies. The $650,000 daughter of the prolific first crop sire Bolt d’Oro shows a couple of fast gate local workouts to have her cranked and ready, so we’re expecting a big effort from this Keith Desormeaux-trained juvenile. She is listed at 9/2 on the morning line and is worth a play at or near that price in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics.
