11 of the Best Horse Races to Bet on For Saturday, October 17th

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DRF handicappers share their plays for the day, including best bets, for racing at Belmont at the Big A, Gulfstream, Woodbine, Santa Anita, Keeneland, and Laurel.

Post Time: 1:09 ET
Track: Laurel (3rd Race)
Horse: STARS ALIGN (#9, 6-1)

STARS ALIGN struggled to find running room in her last start at Laurel and regressed to finish sixth, but there's a reason she earned favoritism that day; for starters, Trombetta's recent success has turned heads, but the filly also improved earlier in September to finish second for a $20,000 tag with a 53 Beyer; she seemed to be gradually improving on the turf before catching the tough trip last time out, so she probably deserves a little patience. – Patrick Moquin | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 1:15 ET
Track: Belmont at the Big A (3rd Race)
Horse: WAITLIST (#7, 5-1)

WAITLIST is back on short rest while also taking some class relief after failing to get through his first-level allowance condition vs the likes of Strategic Focus, Stars and Stripes, and his progressive stablemaye V Cruizer recently; he broke his maiden going nine furlongs (on turf), and earned the top figure of his career over a mile and a quarter, so this distance should not be an issue. – Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 1:39 ET
Track: Woodbine (2nd Race)
Horse: D'AURUM (#4, 10-1)

D'AURUM ran gamely on the lead before fading in mid-stretch to end up fifth last time in the anchor leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, the 1 1/2-mile Breeders' Stakes around three turns on the inner turf. She's an excellent fit in this much easier 1 1/16-mile maiden special on the inner course. – Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 1:55 ET
Track: Gulfstream (3rd Race)
Horse: BLUE SLIDE PARK (#3, 5-1)

BLUE SLIDE PARK rallied mildly off slow pace while fanned 5 wide at the quarter pole under similar conditions last time. Goes from bug rider to Vasquez. Tepid call with cleaner trip in this wide open spot. – Mike Welsch | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 2:46 ET
Track: Laurel (6th Race)
Horse: PEAK PERFORMER (#3, 8-1)

PEAK PERFORMER is a DRF Best Bet (Patrick Moquin). | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 2:52 ET
Track: Belmont at the Big A (6th Race)
Horse: TAKESCHARGESMILING (#9, 10-1)

TAKESCHARGESMILING had an excuse for the lone poor recent effort when shuffled in traffic early off the layoff at Saratoga; gamely prevailed two back over Gatsby, who returned to blow out a field with a 93 Beyer while up in class, then scored an up-in-class victory of his own last month; off the claim again, but he runs for anyone. – Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 3:40 ET
Track: Keeneland (6th Race)
Horse: TAYLOR'S VERSION (#2, 6-1)

TAYLOR'S VERSION is a DRF Best Bet (Marcus Hersh). | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 3:47 ET
Track: Woodbine (6th Race)
Horse: BEAUTIFUL THINGS (#1, 6-1)

BEAUTIFUL THINGS is by the 9% debut/freshman sire Charlatan and her stakes-winning dam dropped the 2yo Tapeta stakes winner Rosa, who was trained by KA. She dusted company from the gate in a pretty good breeze last Saturday. – Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 5:07 ET
Track: Gulfstream (9th Race)
Horse: RUGELACH (#7, 5-1)

RUGELACH freshened since returning from Del Mar and working well for return to a track over which he's run well earlier in her career. Finished second in key race against perhaps a touch softer in California finale. – Mike Welsch | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 6:11 ET
Track: Gulfstream (11th Race)
Horse: KHOZALITE (#11, 10-1)

KHOZALITE moved well forward stretching out, trying turf for first time on graduation day following credible main track bow. Came back with a very strong work on 10/3 when getting the better of Micanopy, another of the key contenders in this lineup. Well posted outside, may prove bit of an upset threat on turn back to seven furlongs. – Mike Welsch | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 8:07 ET
Track: Santa Anita (9th Race)
Horse: SUMTER (#6, 8-1)

SUMTER won this restricted turf-mile stakes last year, and seeks a repeat while stretching out from a pair of comeback sprints in races that were too short. Both were five furlongs on turf at DMR. Blinkers are off, he has a versatile running style to press his stablemate drawn to his inside. Third start back, stretching out to his preferred distance, SUMTER is the tepid choice. – Brad Free | Get Past Performances for this race

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