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Jeff Siegel: National Best Plays | Friday, June 24, 2022

by Jeff Siegel

June 24, 2022

Gulfstream Park – First Race. Post time: 2:55 ET
1-Factor That (3-1)


Sizzled one furlong in 10 seconds flat at the OBS March Sale before being purchased through the ring for $130,000, an excellent price for a daughter of The Factor. Out of the multiple sprint stakes winning mare Sky and Sea, the Mark Casse-trained filly projects to be on or near the lead from her rail post position in this five furlong dash for juvenile fillies. Those in the field with prior experience don’t impress on paper, so there’s good value here at 3-1 on the morning line.


Gulfstream Park – Third race. Post time: 3:55 ET
8-Splurge (9/2)


Quick-actioned daughter of Goldencents breezed beautifully in 10 1/5 seconds at the OBS March Sale while displaying a smooth and athletic stride, after which she brought $145,000 through the ring. She debuts for trainer Mark Casse (okay stats with first-timers) after breezing a half mile from the gate in 47 1/5 seconds at Palm Meadows earlier this month in a move that should have her fit and ready. In a race ripe to won by a newcomer, she is worth a play at anywhere earn her morning line of 9/2.

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Belmont Park – Third race. Post time: 2:03 ET
3-Growth Capital (8/5)


Sophomore colt shortens to a sprint after beginning his career with a pair of strong runner-up route performances, most recently when second at Keeneland despite a less-than-ideal trip. We suspect this talented maiden will be much more comfortable around one turn, so with the addition of blinkers the Chad Brown-trained son of War Front should step forward considerably and justify his morning line favorite’s price of 8/5.


Belmont Park – Ninth race. Post time: 5:12 ET
8-Wings Like Eagles (10-1)


Let’s go for a price in this maiden special weight turf sprint for older fillies and mares. In her debut in an abbreviated grass dash at Churchill Downs last month, this sophomore filly was green early and found herself nine lengths off the pace approaching the top of the stretch, but then began to figure things out in the final stages to finish with courage and wind up an excellent third. Purchased privately out of the race and now trained by Bill Mott, she gets an extra furlong and one-half to work with today, and if she improves as much as we expect, the daughter of Get Stormy absolutely can run with these. She offers good gambling value in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics at 10-1 on the morning line.