by Jeff Siegel
June 19, 2021
Every Friday and Saturday 1/ST BET handicapper Jeff Siegel offers his best wagering opportunity from a selected North American racetrack. These “Best Plays” can take the form of a win wager, exacta, trifecta, or a daily double, pick-3, pick-4 or pick-6. Selections are listed in chronological order.
Belmont Park Race 9 - Post time: 5:12 ET
2-Dancing Buck (9/2)
Lightly-raced gelding appears to have found his niche as a turf sprinter, and after a clever score against older foes in mid-April over the Aqueduct lawn the son of War Dancer returns to his own age group in the New York Stallion S. at seven furlongs on grass at Belmont Park. The M. Nevin-trained 3-year-old projects to enjoy an ideal ground-saving, second-flight trip and then have every chance to exert his superiority when the pressure is turned. At 9/2 on the morning line, he offers good value in the win pool and in rolling exotic play.
Churchill Downs Race 10 - Post time: 5:26 ET
3-Four Graces (7/2)
High class sprinting filly launches her comeback in the Roxelana Overnight Stakes and has worked like she’s fit and ready to reproduce her best form from last year. A graded stakes winner over the Churchill Downs main track, the daughter of Majesticperfection is a versatile type that can win on the lead or from a stalking position, so this extended sprint distance should fit her perfectly. The I. Wilkes-trained filly is listed at 7/2 on the morning line and at that price looks playable in the win pool and as a rolling exotic key.