DerbyJackpot’s Best Bets of the Weekend for Jan. 3-4
Image:
Description:
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.
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.
Place your bets at DerbyJackpot. It's the easiest and most fun online horse betting site out there. Races open for betting about five minutes before post time. Place your bets and you can walk away with some extra cash in your pocket.
CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO SIGN UP AND START WINNING!
This Weekend’s Bets
Saturday, Jan. 3
Best Bet (Win Bet/ Monkey Bet)
Aqueduct, Race 8, Jerome Stakes, Post Time: 3:48 p.m. ET
#7 Ackeret: Only loss came in tough spot sprinting from way off the pace at Laurel Park two races back. Horse who finished ahead of him came back to win a stakes race next out, while Ackeret returned to blow away a field of first level allowance horses. He posted a big number in that race. Should enjoy the stretch out to a route of ground and a fast pace up front could be to his liking, as well.
Exacta Box (Gonzo Bet)
Aqueduct, Race 7, Post Time: 3:19 p.m. ET
#4 Flying Zealous: Horse is 2 for 2 over the Aqueduct inner and figures to be in good position stalking the pacesetters from the outset. New trainer shows confidence with this bump up in class. Remains to be seen if he can hang at this level.
#5 The Big Deluxe: Totally bombed over the slop last out but the 91 Beyer two back is an indication of what he can do on his best day. Gets a major jockey upgrade, while returning to a level he's been competitive at when he's right. Needs to avoid an all-out speed duel.
#6 Laila's Jazz: First race back off the layoff has to be tossed and a look back at his race log shows that he's beaten similar, while having also faced tougher. Shows a nice bullet work a week ago and his trainer scores at insanely strong 34% second off the layoff.
#7 Leroy Jr.: Jockey Manny Franco lands on this one over fringe contender Be Bullish. The horse is 2 for 3 at the distance and has the right running style to win what should be a strong paced race. Serious win potential.
Sunday, Jan. 4
Best Bet (Win Bet/ Monkey Bet)
Gulfstream Park, Race 5, Post Time: 2:36 p.m. ET
#3 Uncle Mitcho: It has been an awfully long time between wins for this 5-year-old but conditions seem right. If you toss the return run at Gulfstream last out and the two prior over the wet lawn at Belmont, he seems more than capable at this level. The last time he caught a firm course running for a tag as low as this, he finished second by a neck at Saratoga. He's been in against mostly tougher since. Lastly, he should benefit from a nice little pace setup. Look for him to be flying late at a nice price.
Exacta Box (Gonzo Bet)
Gulfstream Park, Race 9, Post Time: 4:32 p.m. ET
#1 El Botas: The speed of the speed in this tough turf sprint, El Botas should be able to dictate from the start with the rail draw. Could steal it if Over and Back doesn't break cleanly or if he's pulled off the pace like he was last out.
#5 Saucy Don: He's a bit of a wildcard but anticipate he'll like the cutback to five furlongs after flattening a bit when going almost a mile last out. The more pace up front, the better off Saucy Don will be.
#7 Over and Back: As mentioned, this one of the pace players in here. Returning jockey got the most out of the horse last out and connections show confidence with a big jump up in class. Over and Back has shown improved form and is likely to progress with a clean trip.
#8 Stormy Rush: He's the most proven horse over course and distance. Stormy Rush has beaten low level stakes company at Gulfstream and this lot figures to be softer. He also has some tactical speed which should benefit him in the event of a pace duel up front.