DerbyJackpot’s Best Bets of the Weekend for Aug. 23-24
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Saratoga 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)
Saratoga, Race 7, 2:51 p.m. ET
#6 Eddy Gourmet: Mostly a turf horse throughout her career, Eddy Gourmet had a breakout race on the dirt two starts back at Delaware Park. Trainer Hugh McMahon decided to take a shot at Saratoga after that impressive performance and nearly got rewarded when she ran a strong third last time. She did not have the best of breaks last time and got put in an uncomfortable position that probably affected her from running her best. She should be able to get the lead here in a race that seems to lack pace, which sets up nicely for her.
Exacta Box (Gonzo Bet)
Saratoga, Race 11, 5:08 p.m. ET
#4 My Miss Aurelia: She came off a long layoff last time to run a very respectable race. Although the field was small, My Miss Aurelia battled near the lead through a grueling pace in a race in which Better Lucky ran past the tiring front-runners to win. With every right to improve in her second start off the lengthy break, My Miss Aurelia should be even sharper.
#5 Willet: A big fan of this racetrack, Willet has finished first or second in five starts at Saratoga. The stretch out from 6 to 7 furlongs should play to her advantage, and she seems to be in top form already coming off of a 4-length romp. Expect Willet to be closing late in a race that seems to have a lot of speed on tap.
#8 Hot Stones: A rapidly improving 4-year-old, Hot Stones shortens up after going 1 1/8 miles last out. Even at a distance that probably was too far for her, she ran a big race last time and should appreciate the cut back to 7 furlongs here. Her last two would make her a major player in here, and she should get the best set up. Both the trainer and jockey have been hot at the meet.
Sunday
Best Bet (Monkey Bet)
Del Mar, Race 7, 7 p.m. ET
#10 Hurricane Lake: Didn't draw the best post but should be good enough to overcome it. He has run two good races on the track, drops in class and shortens in distance. Top jockey Rafael Bejarano retains the mount, and he should improve second time under trainer Mark Glatt's guidance. If he's not caught too wide around the first turn, he should be in prime position to stalk and pounce on this field.
Longshot Bet (Granny Bet)
Del Mar, Race 9, 8 p.m. ET
#8 Indexical: This horse probably is not good enough, but they don't call it a longshot play for nothing. Switching from the inside post in his last race to the outside post here, Indexical should be much better positioned to relax and fire his best. Since he is lightly raced, we have most likely yet to see his best. Big Macher and Goldencents will be short prices in here and this horse didn't finish far behind them last time.