DerbyJackpot’s Best Bets of the Weekend for Aug. 16-17
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Del Mar photo by 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 (Monkey Bet on DerbyJackpot).
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 (a top-three finish or “The Granny” on DerbyJackpot).
Our handicappers also will look for strong exacta plays for the weekend (a Gonzo Bet on DerbyJackpot) or occasionally try to spot a nice opportunity to bet a trifecta (The Fiddy on DerbyJackpot) or superfecta (The Dime Bet on DerbyJackpot).
Place your bets at DerbyJackpot. Races open for betting about five minutes before post time. It’s fun, it’s easy, and you can walk away with some extra cash in your pocket.
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This Weekend's Bets
Saturday
Best Bet (Win Bet/Monkey Bet)
Del Mar, Race 2, 5:30 p.m. ET
#2 Starry Skies: She ran a respectable fourth in her first start on the dirt. She now returns to the turf and looks to have some good early speed in a race that appears to be wide open. She always seems to try hard and has been in the top 3 in 7-of-9 career starts.
Exacta Box (Gonzo Bet)
Del Mar, Race 5, 7 p.m. ET
#2 Zimmer: He was a close second a few weeks ago on this turf course and looks to be in good shape to fire another big effort. His mid-pack style should fit well here. This trainer and jockey combination is solid.
#5 Bettys Bambino: Showed talent in early in his career and now comes off back-to-back third-place finishes as the betting favorite. This is the first time he will run this far on the turf, and I think he has a shot to be in the hunt for the win.
#11 Snaps: He has improved in 2014 under his new trainer. He’s got good early speed and has experience on this turf course. He’s got a Hall of Fame trainer and a Hall of Fame jockey backing him up.
#12 Tigah: He has a win on this turf course earlier in the meet, and if the pace is too fast he might the one to close all the ground late.
Sunday
Best Bet (Win Bet/ Monkey Bet)
Saratoga, Race 7, 4:18 p.m. ET
#2 Aunty Pearl: She showed improved speed in her last win and is coming into this race in the best form of her career. I think we still get a fair price on her given the new low-profile trainer. I expect her to be on the lead.
Exacta Box (Gonzo Bet)
Saratoga, Race 8, 4:52 p.m. ET
#1 Discreetly Elusive: Her mid-pack style should have her sitting in a good spot. She’s only been out of the money in one of her seven career starts, and she always seems to fire a good effort.
#3 Ms. Cruisen’: She has been hitting the board in overnight stakes at Monmouth Park, Delaware Park, and Parx Racing. If no one decides to take the lead, she might be showing the pace. If the pace is fast, she can close from behind horses.
#6 Evening Show: She comes off a good second-place finish in her first start of 2014 on this track. She loves to run, and you have to think that she will move forward in her second start of the year.
#7 Ode to Sami: She was last seen pulling a 28-1 upset at Belmont back in May. That was her best effort yet and, if she returns at that level, she is going to be tough to beat. This trainer and jockey combination does well.