spot play noun in horse racing, an approach to betting in which the bettor only bets in situations where the odds seem advantageous US
But there are occasions, that are called “spot” plays, where you can have the parimutuel odds working in your favor. — Jimmy Snyder, Jimmy theGreek, p. 213, 1975
— Tom Ainslie, Ainslie’sCompleteGuidetoThoroughbredRacing, p. 338, 1976