America’s Best Racing and handicapper (and avid gambler) Monique Vág team up to provide horseplayers with their best bets of the weekend.

Vág will identify her top picks as well as at least one 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. She also will occasionally look for strong exacta plays for the weekend or try to spot a nice opportunity for other wagers.

This Weekend's Bets

Saturday, Nov. 7

Longshot Play

Keeneland Race Course, Race 2, $150,000 Lafayette Stakes Presented by Keeneland Select, 10:45 a.m. ET

#10 Mind Control: He gets John Velazquez back on board, and Velazquez has ridden Mind Control in two of his most recent three wins – both of those versus graded stakes company. Following those victories, he’s struggled versus Grade 1 competition, but is capable of showing up with big efforts.

On Saturday, he gets another try facing off against easier competition since dropping out of the graded stakes ranks. He could be a major factor, especially if put into play early.

Longshot Play

Keeneland Race Course, Race 3, $125,000 Qatar Fort Springs Stakes, 11:20 a.m. ET

#6 Fair Maiden: This filly has tried her luck on all three different surfaces and has raced well on each. In her most recent start, she tried dirt for the first time and was able to capitalize off a perfect stalking trip while dropping out of the graded stakes ranks. Today, she draws a great post to work out a similar trip, and with all the early speed, it could really set up well for her.

Along with a great post draw, she also gets to try her luck on Lasix (furosemide) for the first time. There is lots to like and she should offer a very fair price to take a shot.

Best Bet

Keeneland Race Course, Race 4, $1,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, 12:02 p.m. ET

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#2 Gamine: She tried her luck route racing in her most recent start in the Longines Kentucky Oaks, but her bread and butter is definitely sprinting. Returning to the shorter distance today should set her to up to excel.

She’s going to be on the front end early on, and although there is other speed entered, she is likely to get the jump on her rivals early. Although the price will be short at post time, this filly is going to be a single in all of the multi-leg wagers for me.

Best Bet

Keeneland Race Course, Race 12, $6,000,000 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, 5:18 p.m. ET

#10 Maximum Security: He was off his game in the Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita Park in his most recent start and unfortunately was the victim of a tough trip. He’s at his best when put into play early and if he can manage to avoid a speed duel upfront with Authentic, then he could prove very difficult to pass late especially if he is able to put that runner away. This is an exceptionally deep Classic field and that should help offer a better than usual price at post on Maximum Security.