Another challenging eleven race card awaits for us at Gulfstream Park, with a total of six stakes being run, all of them on the grass. Let’s not lose any additional time, and go to the analysis.
1st race: 6½ Furlongs. Clm 12500n3L Purse $22,000 (includes $3,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
Ellas My Love (5), Mc Manaman (4) , Particularity (3)
Top choice ships from Woodbine and goes to the dirt for the first time in nine months. The last time he ran on conventional dirt, he ran against much better horses. Mc Manaman returns from a three month break in a group almost twice the price of his last race. Definite positive sign. Particularity can be long gone if Paco Lopez sends him when the bell rings, and that’s his style of riding.
2nd race: 7 Furlongs. Clm 6250 Purse $19,000 (includes $3,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
Escape Velocity (6), Exclusive Zip (1), Spirit Love (2)
Escape Velocity changes barns, now under the tutelage of Peter Walden, who puts blinkers on him, looking to get him more focused. Not that much early zip in here, so I expect him to be at or near the lead. Exclusive Zip repeats for the same tag he won his last race. Not favored at all by the post but looks like a major player. Spirit Love returns to a group he can manage and he will be part of the early flight in here.
3rd race: 6 Furlongs. MC 25000 Purse $36,500 (includes $4,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards includes $7,500 FBIF ? Florida Bred Incentive Fund) FOR MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD.
Mystery Witness (8), Wink and a Nod (7), Sovereign Warrior (3)
Top pick was slow at the start in his debut, now new trainer Jorge Navarro puts blinkers on him, trying to get him to start with the group. If he repeats what he did in his debut, will be a tough cookie. Wink and a Nod drops from straight maidens to maiden claimers, and just because of that he needs to be considered. Sovereign Warrior is a first time starter for Kathleen O’ Connell, who hits at a 21 % clip at this level. No world beaters here, so he does not need to be anything special to have a chance.
4th race: 5 Furlongs. (Turf) JanusB100K Janus S. Purse $100,000 THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
Extravagant Kid (7), Vision Perfect (3), Pay Any Price (5)
Connections of Extravagant Kid passed on the Breeders Cup, now they have a fresher horse for this winter, and trainer and jockey hot at a 39% rate. Vision Perfect has been extremely consistent if we draw a line over his Breeders Cup no show. Irad should put him forwardly placed from that three hole. Pay Any Price is the Gulfstream and distance specialist, with 12 wins coming at this oval.
5th race: 6 Furlongs. OC 25000n1x Purse $47,000 (includes $7,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
Mr. Kisses (6), Morning Buzz (3), The Best Candy (4)
Mr. Kisses is a definite Gulfstream lover, with seven out of his nine lifetime wins coming here, and he should be forwardly placed from the start. That six hole allows him to dictate how the race will be run. Morning Buzz has been popular at the claim box and last time out he ran against a very nice colt named Uno Mas Modelo. Saez stays up after riding him in the Claiming Crown. The Best candy just missed in his most recent in a very similar group after drawing the rail. He has a much better post for Saturday.
6th race: 5 Furlongs. (Turf) ™AbundntiaB100K Abundantia S. Purse $100,000 FILLIES AND MARES, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD.
Just Talkin (8), Girls Know Best (12), Fire Key (2)
Coming off a four month rest, Just Talkin returns in a race in which she dos not has to be that close in a wicked pace, which we should expect. Irad knows her well and she should be running hard in the stretch. Girls Know Best is maybe the speediest here, she always finds someone to beat her, but that twelve post is very good at this distance. I prefer Fire Key at six furlongs, but she is doing great and Paco knows how to ride in this turf course.
7th race: 7 Furlongs. ‘Mdn 45k Purse $45,000 (includes $5,000 FBIF ? Florida Bred Incentive Fund) FOR STATE BRED MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD.
Beau Trace (9), Last Judgement (4), Cash On Hand (2)
Vast improvement second time out for Beau Trace, just needs to maintain that line of steady improvement to have a big chance to score in here. Good breeze in preparation. Last Judgement will be the big favorite, and he maybe is the best horse of the race, but at the price he will be, I prefer my pick. Cash On Hand didn’t lift a hoof last out, but before that has a race which is good enough to mzke him a contender.
8th race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) TrPOaksB75K Tropical Park Oaks Purse $75,000 FILLIES, THREE YEARS OLD.
Andina del Sur (7), Too Cool to Dance (1), Semper Sententiae (12)
Andina del Sur returns to the grass and now goes against a group who compares very favorably versus the ones she has been facing lately. Too Cool to Dance has the most upside potential and its Chad and Irad in the turf. Johnny V. climbs aboard the Mark Hennig trainee Semper Sententiae, I prefer her over a less than firm ground but she has the right to keep improving.
9th race: 1 3/16 Mile. (Turf) ViaBrghseB75K Via Borghese S. Purse $75,000 FILLIES AND MARES, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD.
Peru (5), Holy Helena (3), Tricky Escape (4)
I was very impressed with that last effort by my favorite, who ran down the field and had to content with a very slow pace up front. Jose Ortiz takes over, and he has guided her before to victory. Holy Helena is 2 for 2 at Gulfstream and now takes off the shades once again. She is a fighter, always gives a great account of herself. Gets Lasix for the first time. Tricky Escape is the one they will have to catch, and a very easy lead can spell problems for her competition.
10th race: 2 Miles. (Turf) HAlnJrknsB100K H. Allen Jerkens S. ALLEN JERKENS S.. Purse $100,000 THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
Archer Road (6), Winter Union (5), Soglio (3)
Archer Road has run better as the distances increase, as a matter of fact his best race was at a mile and a half. He has four works in preparation for this race and its Jefferey Sanchez and Stanley Gold, a potent combo. Winter Union will love the added ground for Saturday , remember that his sire won the Belmont Stakes. Irad up for Michael Matz. Soglio is the most accomplished horse in this group, although I ma not sure he wants the two miles. Let’s wait and see.
11th race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) TrPDerbyL75K Tropical Park Derby Purse $75,000 THREE YEAR OLDS.
Sniper Kitten (1), Breaking the Rules (4), Rose’s Vision (12)
Sniper Kitten has found three straight less than firm surfaces, now he should get a firm grass course which he prefers. Gets a good inside post and should come from mid pack on. Breaking the Rules looks like a nice prospect down the road, that last race was impressive and has some good horses in his past performances. Rose’s Vision is coming back from a four month stay on the shelf working nicely. Outside post does him no favors.