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.



Pimlico Race 3 – Post time: 1:40 ET
3-Determined Truth (4-1)

The daughter of Flatter from the stakes-winning dam of Spinaway S.-G1 winner Perfect Alibi makes her debut in a rather soft maiden special weight sprint for fillies and appears well-spotted to graduate at first asking following a healthy series of workouts at Fair Hill. The P. Schoenthal-trained juvenile recorded a bullet five furlong 1:00b drill seven days ago to have her on edge, so at 4-1 on the morning line she’ll offer good wagering value in the win pool and as a rolling exotic single.


Ellis Park Race 4 – Post time: 2:14 CT
8-Indian Ink (3-1)

From the first crop of the outstanding turf miler Midnight Storm, this quick colt breezed a furlong in 9 4/5 seconds (fastest for the distance in the preview session) at the OBS April Sale before bringing $310,000 through the ring. His recent work tab also has been very impressive for the high-percentage B. Cox barn, so with one of the stable’s “go-to” riders F. Geroux taking the call this excellent prospect appears ready to graduate at first asking in this five and one-half grass dash for 2-year-olds. He’s 3-1 on the morning line and we’ll take it if we can get it.


Ellis Park Race 6 – Post time: 3:10 CT
2-Foliage (5-1)

This son of Speightstown displayed promise during a brief juvenile campaign with his best effort being a sharp runner-up effort sprinting on grass last September at Churchill Downs. Adding Lasix for the first time, the A. Stall, Jr.-trained colt returns off a nine month layoff under conditions that suit him perfectly, so with a solid series of workouts that should have him fit and ready in a field that appears to be below average for older maiden special weight company let’s take advantage of his 5-1 morning line both as a win play and as a rolling exotic single.


Ellis Park Race 8 – Post time: 4:10 CT
11-Summer Store (12-1)

Was given a very easy run in her debut last month at Churchill Downs, lagging most of the way before being allowed to finish on her own courage to wind up a willing sixth behind a runaway winner and then galloping out with interest past the wire. With that educational outing behind her, the daughter of Summer Front should be much more serious in this middle distance maiden turf affair for fillies and mares. A recent half mile main track workout (47 2/5 seconds, third fastest of 38) is another indication that a forward move is likely, so with C. J. Lanerie riding her back for I. Wilkes and at 12-1 on the morning line we’ll play her enthusiastically in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics.