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 7 – Post time: 4:08 ET
4-Tapple Cider (7/2)
Makes her debut in late May of her 3-year-old season against a moderate group of New York-breds and seems to have a found a proper spot to win at first asking in this one-turn mile main track affair. The daughter of Tonalist brought $290,000 at the Timonium 2-year-old in training sale last year after an impressive :22 1/5 breeze during the preview session, and her recent workouts, while not particularly flashy, are solid and steady and should have her fit and ready. At 5-1 on the morning line, the B. Tagg-trained filly offers good wagering value in the win pool and in rolling exotic play.
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Gulfstream Park Race 9 – Post: 4:57 ET
1-Uptown Queen (3-1)
Freshened since late January and dropping to her lowest level, this maiden 4-year-old daughter of Big Drama appears ready to earn her diploma in this seven and one-half furlong grass affair for fillies and mares. From her favorable inside draw she is guaranteed an ideal ground-saving trip, and with a significant edge in speed figures the D. Fawkes-trained filly should settle in the second flight and then be capable of producing a winning late kick. We’ll make her a win play and rolling exotic single at or near her morning line of 3-1.
