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I Hello everyone and welcome to another Thursday afternoon of racing action from Gulfstream Park. Super Bowl LIII is over and, well, let’s just hope my selections run better than my predictions during the “Big Game” did. Last week we had 4 more on top winners, but again as the week before all were short prices. We have a 10 race card today, do let’s get into the action!

RACE 1: 1-10-11
I really did not want to put 1-SECRET O’LIFE on top here, considering she’ll probably be 1-2 odds and that she has lost her last two as the favorite at this level, however Irad Ortiz climbs aboard for the first time and she’s second off the layoff. Plus her first start of 2019 she stumbled badly and still managed to beat 9 home. 10-Tapizar Girl makes 2nd career start for Trainer Victor Barboza and stretches out to a route today. Jaramillo and Barboza 8 of last 16 together. 11-Mia’s Bobtail makes turf debut and first start for Rohan Crichton, who’s 7 of last 18 first start with however 0 for last 7 first on grass. Weak race even for $20K maiden claimers. 

RACE 2: 1-2-7
There’s really not a lot of speed here, so I’m pretty confident 1-ROYAL HOLIDAY with the class drop, his usual up close early running style, breaking from the rail which is winning at a 20% rate , and adding blinkers back on should result in this Peter Walder charge to go straight to the front and not look back. I really only see 2 horses that could challenge on front end early; the 2-Discreet Heat who doesn’t appear on pace figs to be able to keep up, and the 7-Who’s Out making 2nd start off an almost 2 year layoff and is also putting blinkers back on. As you see from my picks I’ve got them running 1-2-3 so basically I’m expecting a merry-go-round race.

RACE 3: 8-2-4
8-KEEPING THE PEACE is a FTS for Jason Servis who hits 22% with debuters but 30% when it’s a Maiden Claimer like this is. Servis and Irad Ortiz are 10 of last 20 teaming up. Sire Elusive Quality is 15% w/FTS and had a bullet 4 furlong work on the 15th of January. 2-Hasta La Byebye drops to maiden claimers for first time but is making first start in 7 months. Last time seen set the pace here early before finishing 2nd best that day. Has been decently bet all 3 career starts and will probably exhibit early speed again today.  4-Dino Three O Nine ran ITM a couple of times last winter at today’s level and is taking blinkers off today. 

RACE 4: 6-5-2
6-JORDY’S READY ran 2nd at this level last out as 6-5 favorite and our top choice that day, going to give her one more chance and Marcus Vitali is 25% second off the claim. JORDY has never been out of the money in 3 starts at Gulfstream. 5-Draft will be coming from off the pace and was a well beaten third last out at today’s level.  2-So Fresh was a well beaten 3rd in same last race with top choice last out and another who may be trying to rally. The problem for her and Draft is the pace may just not be brisk enough for them to make up ground into. 

RACE 5: 1-4-8
1-AVOCADO drops into maiden claiming level for first time for Todd Pletcher (39%)) looking for her to break up on top from rail and take them gate to wire which she almost did two back. Last out faltered with no apparent excuse. 4-Peaceful Feeling makes second career start for Chad Brown and is also making maiden claiming debut today. Brown 28% off long layoffs. 8-Abjure also drops and making second start today. 

RACE 6: 6-8-4
6-BRAVER THAN WE ARE was dropped to MC 12.5K in last start, hit fate and was left for dead in last but closed to win by 2 1/2 lengths going away, making first start vs winners but this is a weak 12.5K claimer and if he can avoid hitting gate today could be a serious challenger at 8-1. 8-Johnny Tickets is going turf to dirt for 45% at the meet Jason Servis. The last time on dirt he broke his maiden at Delaware at the $25K level. Servis 28% surface switch and well, look, he’s just high percentage whatever angle I throw at you. 4-Organic Jenny drops from $20k and cuts back from a mile distance. Won at $16K three back at GP West but not sure his off the pace style will work in this event.

RACE 7: 7-2-4
7-STARLIGHT RIDGE disappointed last time at 3.7-1 odds vs similar to today but was sent close to the pace in that race. Inndebut she rallied from off the pace to be runner up just finishing 1/2 length behind winner. Both races were from post 11, today gets drawn in a bit better so has an option on pace tactics, but assuming new rider John Velazquez will take her off the pace as she proved effective doing such. 2-Ms. Maximum ran a very even paced 6th of 9 in debut at 6F on dirt in a race where she broke in at the start. The top two finishers out of that race came back to win next out. Pletcher is 26% when routing first time and wins a third of the time with Luis Saez aboard recently. Also Violence has turned out to be s pretty good turf sire. 4-Charge It Jenn has been somewhat competitive at this level but Trainer Carlo Vaccarezza is 0 for 30 at the meet. 

RACE 8: 3-8-2
3-COME ON CITY ran 3rd vs this level last out but hit the gate at start of the race. Improved position throughout and with a cleaner break could be in a better position in the stretch. Third off the layoff for Graham Motion. 8-So Charming has been facing tougher than what she faces here today and looks to be coming off the pace today. 2-Proud O’Paddy had a streak of 4 in the exacta finishes broken when trying Stakes company at Tampa last December. Is second off the layoff for Jane Cibelli(23%) and will be another hard closer here. The 4,5,6, and/or 9 could all show early speed here. 

RACE 9: 1-2-5
1-SMILE MORE hopped at the start when last seen at Churchill in an entry level Allowance event going two turns but did manage to beat half the field home. Two back won at today’s distance at Keeneland, also a two turn event. Getting a big jock upgrade today going from Robbie Albarado to Javier Castellano, which is even more significant because he rarely rides for Stanley Hough. I think he’ll probably be forwardly placed from the rail, sitting 2nd or 3rd early. 2-Treasure In Heaven will probably be right there along with early, and ran a 90 BRIS figure last out finishing 2nd. Perhaps the added furlong pushes over the top. 5-Princess Victoria was 2nd last time out at this level and Navarro is 30% second off the claim. Last time she ran a mile here won by 9 lengths!
RACE 10: 5-9-10-11