DerbyJackpot’s Best Bets of the Weekend for Feb. 21-22
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Photo courtesy of Eclipse Sportswire
America’s Best Racing and DerbyJackpot team up to provide horseplayers with their best bets of the weekend in a regular feature blog that will run on Fridays.
Each week, one of our crack handicappers - Jose Contreras, Dan Tordjman, Victoria Garofalo or Cory Moelis – will provide at least one “Best Bet” of the weekend, ideal for a win bet.
The post also will include some combination of additional bets for the weekend.
For some posts, our handicappers 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.
Our handicappers also will look for strong exacta plays for the weekend or occasionally try to spot a nice opportunity to bet a trifecta or superfecta.
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This Weekend’s Bets
With Kentucky Derby less than 2 ½ months away, racing is getting more and more exciting as weekend race days across the U.S. are scattered with key Triple Crown prep races. This weekend is no exception – the Fountain of Youth Stakes, Risen Star Stakes and rescheduled Southwest Stakes will bring three more horses closer to entering that 20-horse Kentucky Derby gate on the first Saturday in May, plus there are a slew of other great races to watch and wager on!
Saturday, Feb. 21
Exacta Box (Gonzo Bet)
Gulfstream Park, Race 9, Mac Diarmida Stakes, 4:30 p.m. ET
#1 Main Sequence: Rajiv Maragh is back in the reins as Main Sequence makes his 2015 debut after going 4-for-4 in 2014 races and winning two Eclipse Awards. Using this race as a prep for the $5-million Dubai Sheema Classic in late March, I'm looking forward to seeing this champ back in action!
#7 Divine Oath: After stretching out to, and winning at, 1 1/2 miles for trainer Todd Pletcher in his last start while going three wide, Divine Oath looks to be extremely game going into this race and should be right up there with Main Sequence to complete the exacta.
Best Bet (Win/Monkey Bet)
Gulfstream Park, Race 11, Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth Stakes, 5:30 p.m. ET
#7 Upstart: Coming off an impressive win in the Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes, Upstart couldn't have looked any better coming off a layoff and has proved that he's currently among the top Kentucky Derby contenders. I expect, and hope, to see him in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May. Frosted, who will be in first-time blinkers for, looks to once again be his toughest competition.
Sunday, Feb. 22
Best Bet (Win/Monkey Bet)
Gulfstream Park, Race 11, 5:30 p.m. ET
#6 A Lot: Coming off a second-place finish in last month's Grade 3 Dania Beach Stakes, we know A Lot likes Gulfstream Park. His Hall of Fame connections —trainer Bill Mott and jockey Johnny Velazquez — seemingly have A Lot poised for a big effort in this allowance/optional claiming race after running a bang-up second in this Dania Beach, with the addition of first-time Lasix for this race. “A Lot" of factors point toward him today … solid value play.
Exacta Box (Gonzo Bet)
Oaklawn Park, Race 8, Southwest Stakes. 5:42 p.m. ET
#9 Katune: In his last race at Oaklawn, a 1 1/16-mile race like the Southwest Stakes, Katune broke his maiden and looks to be extremely game going into this race. Trainer Mark Casse wins at 19% with horses that broke their maidens in their previous race, so he knows where to run his horses. Not to mention he should be a nice price.
#11 Mr. Z: Despite drifting significantly in the stretch run in his last race, Mr. Z still finished only 2 1/4 lengths behind winner Far Right, one of the Southwest favorite, in the Smarty Jones Stakes. Carrying seven less pounds than him this time, I think Mr. Z is a top contender and looks to sit a nice trip.