Let’s go quickly to the comments on a full thirteen race card today at Gulfstream Park:
1st race: 1 Mile. (Turf) ™MC 35000 Purse $32,000 (includes $4,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD.
She’s an Introvert (#7) – Dropping from MSW to claimers, this group is much lighter that the ones she has been facing. Jaramillo sticks with her and should be part of the first flight.
War Rose (#8) – She burned a lot of money in her most recent, maybe Castellano can rate her just a bit and make a move from the three sixteenth pole on. Walsh hits at a 27% clip sending back beaten favorites.
Folly (#3) – Third off the layoff for Christophe Clement, Julien Leparoux takes over. He is a specialist in harnessing speed on the grass, just what this filly needs.
2nd race: 6 Furlongs. Clm 6250 Purse $19,000 (includes $2,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
Oh my Warrior (#6) – This horse was Irad Ortiz’s choice amongst several here and should be paying close attention to a speed duel up front. Trainer Baxter hits at a 20% clip second race in the barn.
Drink in my Hand (#4) – Its being a long time since this horse has won a race, but now with Navarro training, can improve enough to take that next step. Has two easy works for this event.
Giant Dilemma (#9) – Can be the sleeper of this race at 12-1 odds. Not much of a winner, but when sprinting, he always manages to run good and has a nice post in the gate. Jonathan Gonzalez is a very underrated jockey, watch out.
3rd race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) Clm 16000n3L Purse $24,000 (includes $3,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
Areyoutalkingtome (#8) – Facing this condition for just the second time, and now with Irad on the irons, he needs to be considered a major contender. He should get a nice setup for his late run.
Four Knights (#1) – The rail post is a big advantage for him, he did all the dirty work last time out just to be beaten a half a length for ll the marbles.
Follow the Signs (#5) – Dropping sharply to less than half of the price he ran last time out, he can be considered as the horse to beat. However, he was scratched a month ago by the vet and has only one easy breeze to show.
4th race: 6 Furlongs. Clm 12500 Purse $25,000 (includes $4,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS.
Mystery Witness (#4) – Its Jaramillo and Navarro on a claim repeater. They hit at a 37% clip together, and Navarro hits at a 45% effectiveness rate when sending a horse to the same price tag. The numbers are too high for such a low claim price.
Vinnie Van Go (#8) – Dropping to his lowest level ever, from that eight post he should be in an early stalking position. Interestingly enough, he is ridden by Jose Ortiz and not a Maragh, as these trainers always do. Hmmm.
Saint Michel (#7) – This horse ran in two stakes races, but after claiming him for 20,000, his trainer drops him to 12,500. Not a good sign at all, but the group is of such bad quality that his class can maybe be enough for him to win here.
5th race: 1 1/16 Mile. OC 62500n1x Purse $52,000 (includes $7,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
Brass Town (#2) – From that number two hole, he can be long gone and this is his preferred distance. Navarro and Juarez have been doing good lately and has four breezes in preparation.
Tiz Mischief (#1) – He was the favorite in my top pick’s last race, in which he didn’t lift a hoof. Romans sends him to the same level he was, signaling readiness for a recovery.
Seeking Albert (#8) – Switching to the dirt for the first time in a while, and also taking a drop in class, he can be a sneaky play at 12-1.
6th race: 1 Mile. (Turf) Alw 51000n1x Purse $51,000 (includes $7,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
Cheyenne’s Coronel (#2) – Tampa Bay shipper, just two weeks ago he ran in a Grade III against much better horses. Takes a cut back and his regular jockey travels with him.
Penalty (#8) – Back from seven months on the shelf, showed nice talent going against good horse like Raging Bull. Mott hits at an 18% clip when coming back from 90+ and Johnny V. takes the call.
First Warrior (#7) – Very nice debut on the grass, scoring at 7/1 odds. Don’t see that much speed in here, so Irad can dictate the pace if he wants.
7th race: 1 Mile. (Turf) Clm 16000n2L Purse $24,000 (includes $3,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
Money Trend (#2) – Coming back from a five month, this Indiana shipper should be right on that early flight from the start, and receives a good jockey upside in Castellano. Has five works inn preparation.
Ding Dong Ditch (#5) – Light bulb angle can be in effect here, just won his maiden after eight starts and burning a lot of money in between. Jose Ortiz takes over from Luis Saez.
Apreciado (#1) – Drops back to a much more manageable group for him and returns to the grass. Raced just ten days ago and Leonel Reyes stays on him. That last race can serve him as a tightener.
8th race: 5½ Furlongs. ™MC 12500 Purse $21,000 (includes $2,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD.
Chesapeake Bay (#6) – Should be at or near the lead from the start, and with three races lifetime, she still has the right for some improvement. Batista keeps the assignment for trainer Antonio Sano.
Snell Flicka (#1) – Returns to the dirt for the first time since May after two failed experiments on the grass, her races back in May were good enough to give her a good chance in here.
WW Cougar (#2) – Showing improvement with each new start, this is the one that can be rating nicely mid pack and come with a flourish late.
9th race: 5 Furlongs. (Turf) ™MldyOClrsB75K Melody of Colors S. Purse $75,000 FILLIES, THREE YEARS OLD.
Don’t Make Fun (#6) – Not much speed signed in, can be long gone and Castellano fits her to a Tee. Nice class progression.
Ginger Nut (#5) – Irad is winning everything he gets on, this filly comes from Britain, and maybe the 5 furlongs can be her worst enemy.
Play On (#9) – Good post and she should be part of the first flight from the start.
10th race: 6 Furlongs. Mdn 50k Purse $50,000 (includes $7,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD.
Historian (#1) – These Into Mischief’s have been winning races everywhere and his works indicate he should be ready for a prime effort first time out.
Where Paradise Lay (#6) – Showed some promise in his debut coming from mid pack on. With that race under his belt, he will be a threat late.
In the Loop (#9) – Four bullet works in preparation for his bow run and Irad takes the call for trainer Duarte. Super Saver’s are better with more ground to work with, but this one can score right off the bat.
Difficult race to come up with the winner, play safe here and go as deep as your pockets allow you.
11th race: 1 Mile. HalHope-G3 Hal’s Hope S. Grade III. Purse $100,000 FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
Copper Town (#7) – We will give him a last chance. In both of his last two races he has had plausible excuses and Castellano sticks with him. He will be on the early fray from when they spring the latch.
Sir Anthony (#8) – Has four consecutive wins, each one in a group harder that the one before. Those are great signals, and has four good works in preparation for this race, in which he will be ignored at the windows again.
Breaking Lucky (#3) – Not much of a winner but always gives a solid effort; he has earned over one million dollars with only four in 23 starts.
12th race: 5 Furlongs. (Turf) TexsGlttrB75K Texas Glitter S. Purse $75,000 THREE YEAR OLDS.
Yes I am Free (#4) – Auspicious debut run, won from the #1 hole. Now gets a better post and Irad on the saddle.
R Boy Bode (#1) – Second race after a brief rest, now gets in what I think is his best surface. In his last, he lost to Maximum Security, who aired on Wednesday.
Standup (#5) – Will be coming late from the clouds, needs a hot pace for that late run to be effective, if he gets that, will be dangerous.
13th race: 1 Mile. (Turf) ™Mdn 50k Purse $50,000 (includes $7,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD.
A Bridge Too Far (#4) – Irad preferred her over the Chad Brown trainee, Casse is having a great meet and she went for 8 times her stud’s fee.
Comic City (#9) – Anything Chad Brown sends needs to be taken into consideration. Works have been average but that tells nothing about these Brown’s prodigies.
Delta’s Kingdom (#3) – Third race for trainer Bill Mott, she should be ready for a prime effort and should be part of that first flight from the start.