LEG 1: 5-3-8
LEG 2: 12-5-9-8 next horse in 4
LEG 3 3-1-13
LEG 4: 7-6
LEG 5: 7-11-5 next horse in 1
Leg 1 is a low-level claiming race at Laurel and generally when you play races like this you want someone on or just off the pace since this level there’s no one with “tactical” speed or class of any sort. The ONLY time I look for off the pace is when 5 or more need the lead and that’s what we have here. 1,3,4,9,10 and possibly the 7 if she’s fast enough will be flying out. #3 My Chesa Charm 2-1 M/L will likely win the front but at what cost. #5 Big Momma 15-1 ML in her last two races she seemed to solve her gate issues and shows some potential to pass tired horses. Same logic of #8 Tufflesburg 5/2 ML but Karamanos had his choice of the two so I’ll take his selection and the better odds. I’ll still use My Chesa Charm as a safety.
Leg 2 is our 1st of 2 races at Gulfstream. One angle I play is I toss horses that come from 1-3/8’s or longer then cut back to under 9 Furlong Turf Races. They don’t usually run well at all even less win so with excluding the AE’s I’ve got this down to a 10-horse field. With large fields I always try and make it a 7-horse race if possible and then handicap from there. 3 hasn’t won a race since 2016, 7’s Layoff is too long for me and I’m not playing the Euro with 15 starts before his 4th birthday. So, we’re down to 7 horses and I feel like if you’re going to go deep in a race it’s this one. #12 Lunaire 20-1 ML gets back to where the connections want him on the turf and always shows a strong kick in the final strides. The 2 horses to beat though are #5 Battle of Blenheim 7-2 ML and #8 Dr. Edgar 4-1 ML. They like to be close to the lead and should run well so they’re both automatic musts. My 4th Choice was between #11 Sliding Spring 5-1 ML and #9 Ceevee 10-1 ML and I went with the latter. Ceevee has 3 wins over the tack and last February’s 75K AOC was his best career race so likely for a repeat at some solid odds!
Leg 3 stays at Gulfstream and on the turf. This race I love a bomb and I will be playing. $10 Across on the side. #3 Fortunickle 30-1 ML dropped down last time out but just completely blew the start spotted the field 8 lengths started to regain in the backstretch then was wrapped up mid-stretch. So, there’s the bad but here’s the good. He’s run 2 solid bullets in 2019. Even with the horrendous trip he still got a 35 Beyer which to be honest it’s far off what the others in here are a custom to running. They keep the blinkers on and if he can just make the break he has a solid chance to wire this field. Only the Also Eligible’s want a piece but even if they draw in they’re coming from post 12+. #1 Jett Rink 6-1 ML should sit the rail trip and showed some ability in his debut. If the 13 doesn’t draw in, then I’ll throw in #4 Mo’s Ride 10-1 ML in. Weaver has all the stats to make this logical and honestly with Irad aboard that 10-1 will be 7-2 so it’s going to be the one you’re happy you didn’t toss come post time.
Leg 4 is the toughest race for me and not because it’s super competitive, but you must decide on how you value one horse. #8 Behold the Gold 3-1 ML has had the lead at the top of the stretch 3 times and ALL 3 times he’s got caught including last time when he had a 5-length lead… he finished in 6th?!?! You almost need to single or play against. I’ve gone so deep in the other races so this is the one I’m going with only 2 and I’m playing against. #7 Chamboozel 10-1 ML is trained by William Delia who is 30% in Debut in MCL’s and he just gave him that final workout we’re always looking for a bunch of 4 and 5 Furlong works and then the 35 or 36 Rocket Work that shows this horse is ready to fire! #6 Twice and Windy 5-1 ML is my other selection. Not many horses can make up 11 lengths in a 5-Furlong race but that’s what he did in his debut. He shouldn’t be left that far behind this time out and any improvement for his 2nd start gets him ahead of Behold the Gold.The final leg is at Santa Anita and I’m on the fence about singling which would really cheapen this ticket. #7 Animosity 5-1 ML is a stakes contender and has Red Hot jockey Joel Rosario. He’s dropping down and cutting back which are two angles I love on turf. The two other horses I like are the AE #11 Algorhythmic 6-1 ML and #5 Batiquitos 6-1 ML having 5 wins at this style of race between them which makes them dangerous. If the 11 doesn’t draw in though I may just single and call it a day.