Every Thursday through Sunday 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 3 - Post time: 2:02 ET
5-Galawai (5/2)

Four-year-old colt from France had just two runs overseas – landing in the frame in both – and makes his U.S. debut for trainer G. Motion in this 10-furlong inner turf maiden affair that came up noticeably light in quality. A good third to a next out winner at Chantilly when last seen more than a year ago, the son of Dubawi shows a steady series of workouts at Fair Hill that hopefully will have him tight enough, and as a first-time Lasix user over a distance he’s shown he can handle the Irish-bred colt seems well-placed for a major effort. At 5/2 on the morning line, he’s a strong play in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics.


Gulfstream Park Race 10 – Post time: 5:35 ET
10-Free Data (8-1)

This second-time starter lacked early speed but found her best stride late and then galloped out strongly past the wire in her sprint debut in mid-May and seems certain to move forward with that bit of experience behind her. The daughter of War Front goes for a barn that has strong stats with second-timers and with the sprint-to-route angle, so with this stretch out to a mile following a healthy recent series of workouts the T. Proctor-trained filly may offer good value at 8-1 on the morning. In a soft field of maiden fillies and mares she may be worth a bit of a gamble.