Horse racing odds are one of the rare options on the betting board during the COVID-19 pandemic, with races still being held behind closed doors at select tracks.
Racing analyst Monique Vág focuses on the odds at the active North American tracks and gives her best horse racing tips and betting picks for Saturday's racing card. **video
GULFSTREAM PARK, RACE 7
1 Mile, Purse: $100,000 Sanibel Island Stakes, Post: 2:30 p.m. ET
NO. 11 HIGHLAND GLORY (12/1): Wide open group of very lightly raced fillies, so it's crucial to examine the odds board close to post time, and not accept too short of a price on anyone. I landed on this filly as my top choice after how impressive she looked in her most recent start, racing over the turf for the first time where jockey Paco Lopez worked out a perfect stalking trip. A trip similar to her most recent would land her as a major contender.
GULFSTREAM PARK, RACE 13
1 Mile, Purse: $100,000 Appleton Stakes, Post: 6:00 p.m. ET
NO. 1 ENGLISH BEE (8/1): He gets another try at this mile distance after a few efforts going a bit longer. Most importantly, he gets to race over a firm turf course. In a race with quite a bit of early speed, this colt could take advantage of drawing the rail post and work out a ground saving trip.
He's been racing very well lately and already has a graded stakes victory on his resume. A win here wouldn't be a stretch at all, and if he goes off anywhere near his morning line odds, he's definitely worthy of a closer look.
OAKLAWN PARK, RACE 9
6 Furlongs, Purse: $100,000 Nodouble Breeders' Stakes, Post: 6:08 p.m. ET
NO. 6 HOONANI ROAD (3/1): He's found a lot of success sprinting and has raced very well at Oaklawn Park in particular where he flaunts a 7-1-1 record through nine career starts. Although it's been a while since he's gotten to the front end very early, with not a ton of speed entered, he should be the one controlling the pace.
He's proven very difficult to pass late when he does get to the lead and should find himself on the front heading into the stretch.
