Gulfstream December 30th
Race 1:
#7 Watch Your Step 9-2 ML
#2 El Playon 2-1 ML
#6 Homedrill 3-1 ML
#7 Watch Your Step and #2 El Playon ran are coming out of the same field, and El Playon definitely ran the best race that day. With that being said, Watch Your Step had some trouble at the start, and was actually 11-1 versus El Playon’s 26-1 that day. In a field as bad as this, I will side with the horse you are more likely to get some value on.
Race 2:
#4 Cordele 6-1 ML
#7 Band of Angels 3-1 ML
#2 Storm Temple Pilot 9-2 ML
As usual, an absolute grab bag turf sprint. There are a ton of really fast horses in here, so I will side with a horse who should be just off of the pacemakers in #4 Cordele, who comes in off a win going the distance at GPW, but is 3 for 10 on the GP turf and 6 for 10 ITM. Bound to get some value as Tamara Levy is off to a slow start at the meet but is an 11% barn on the year.
Race 3:
#3 Miami Rose 5-2 ML
#4 How Sweep It Is 7-2 ML
#6 Miss Marcela 4-1 ML
There are a few droppers in here that will take money, but I am not enamored with either. #3 Miami Rose on the other hand debuted for the 25k tag last time and ran a beyer better than most of this field, albeit going shorter. Trainer Gonzalez does well with limited starters and is 21% (3 for 14) 2nd time out.
Race 4:
#4 Robintakecharge 7-2 ML
#6 Golden Idol 3-1 ML
#3 Admiral Lynch 5-2 ML
#4 Robintakecharge improved on the beyer scale 2nd time out for low profile barn Rodolfo Garcia. I think this horse is still trying to figure things out on the track, and most of the other rivals have questions themselves. Decent value play.
Race 5:
#9 Killer Kitten 15-1 ML
#2 Lemon Blitz 6-1 ML
#3 Epic Love 10-1 ML
#9 Killer Kitten ships down from Laurel for a new barn in Jena Antonucci. The last turf race this one ran puts this one right in the mix on the cutback to 7.5 furlongs as this one was right off of the pace before taking control and holding off the closers. The furlong cutback should only benefit this one and should be right there at the wire.
Race 6:
#3 Poesia 8-1 ML
#7 Rosepath 3-1 ML
#5 My Sebastiana 15-1 ML
Another tough bottom run maiden claimer on the dirt where most of the horses are off form, but I’ll side with #3 Poesia who had trouble at the start last time, and before that showed speed versus Gran Bonita Chica 2 back, who came back to defeat winners last Sunday.
Race 7:
#9 Give to UK Cats 1-1 ML
#12 Dexter Road 20-1 ML
#13 Billy Big (AE) 8-1 ML
#5 Global Entry 8-1 ML
#9 Give to UK Cats in off a 3 race win streak and returns off the layoff for Vitali, a 22% angle. 6 time winner loves the Gulfstream strip (5 for 10, 7 for 10 ITM) whereas hes 1 for 8 elsewhere out of town.
Race 8:
#4 Astoundment 6-1 ML
#9 Deltas Kingdom 15-1 ML
#8 Coilean Brown 12-1 ML
James Toner’s horses usually need a race or two, but I am interested to see John Velazquez on #4 Astoundment here, who has been very selective with his rides at the meet so far. 50k purchase will more than likely want more than the mile out of Kitten’s Joy and a Bernardini mare, but the mile should be within her scope as well. Remember this meet was where Toner unleashed Hawkish last winter, and with JV signing on to ride, this one may have some talent.
Race 9:
#4 Sub Factum 3-1 ML
#6 El Zeus 20-1 ML
#3 Nickies Papa 2-1 ML
#4 Sub Factum has been facing better of late, has speed, and drops. This is probably my best play of the day.
Race 10:
#11 Peacock Kitten 12-1 ML
#5 The Green Moster 10-1 ML
#7 Bern James Bern 5-1 ML
#11 Peacock Kitten won at today’s distance on a soft woodbine turf course last time out, but ran well on debut going 7F on a firm turf course, finishing 2nd. This homebred for the Ramseys could turn out to be a good one. The upside is undeniable with most of the other rivals in here having raced much more than he has.
Race 11:
#3 Spindletop 12-1 ML
#4 Sea of Hope 3-1 ML
#6 Overbold 8-1 ML
#3 Spindletop goes first time turf (9%), 2nd time out for Kiaran McLaughlin (23%) and has been working steadily over the Palm Meadows turf since the debut, making me think McLaughlin always wanted turf for this one. Hard Spun has had some very impressive turf winners of the last few weeks at Gulfstream, and this one should enjoy the surface switch.