Xpressbet writer Jeff Siegel offers his top plays for Friday.
Keeneland Race No. 5 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT)
#5 Heavenly Sunday (7-2)
Didn’t have a whole lot behind her when winning her debut at Indiana Horseshoe last month but couldn’t have been more visually impressive in her seven-length romp. The daughter of Candy Ride tackles considerably tougher foes today while moving into the Keeneland allowance ranks, but the Brad Cox-trained juvenile appears to be made of the right stuff and should be capable of handling the class hike. At 7-2 on the morning line, she’s worth a play in the Win pool and in the various rolling exotics.
Belmont at the Big A Race No. 9 (4:54 p.m. ET/1:54 p.m. PT)
#9 Seismic Spirit (8-1)
After a promising runner-up effort in his debut last spring, this Wesley Ward-trained juvenile was sent to Royal Ascot, where he displayed excellent early speed before fading to finish far back. Freshened since June, he returns as a first-time gelding and will race without blinkers, so we’re expecting this Irish-bred 2-year-old to improve dramatically in this maiden six-furlong turf sprint. He represents a reasonable gamble at anywhere near his morning line of 8-1.