Every Friday and Saturday 1/ST BET handicapper Jeff Siegel offers his best wagering opportunity from a selected North American racetrack. These “Best Plays” can take the form of a win wager, exacta, trifecta, or a daily double, pick-3, pick-4 or pick-6. Selections are listed in chronological order.
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Belmont Park Race 4 – Post time: 2:33 ET
5-Big Everest (4-1)
Displayed plenty of ability in his only prior outing last October when an excellent runner-up to subsequent stakes winner Hard Love over this same Belmont Park turf course while more than three lengths clear of the rest. The 3-year-old English-bred colt shows a steady, healthy work pattern for his comeback, gets Lasix, and goes for a stable that has very strong stats with layoff runners. J. Rosario should have this sophomore colt within range throughout, so at 4-1 on the morning line let’s make him a win play and rolling exotic single.
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Churchill Downs Race 11 – Post time: 11:10 ET
3-Smith’s Point (5/2)
Was off slowly, raced greenly and fell far back during the early stages of her debut over six furlongs on Kentucky Oaks Day but took hold on the turn and produced a serious late run to finish a highly promising and rapidly closing third. With that bit of experience behind her and with today’s extra quarter of a mile to work with, the daughter of Bernardini should step forward in a big way for a barn that has outstanding stats with second-time starters. The C. Brown-trained filly offers excellent wagering value at or near her morning line of 5/2 both in the win pool and in rolling exotic play.
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