Hello everyone and welcome to another Thursday of racing from Hallendale Beach, Florida at Gulfstream Park. We gave 11 races to cover today, yesterday was off the turf but hoping they get back on today.
RACE 1: 3-1-7
This race is horrid, the field is 7 of 144 lifetime here, and I feel especially bad landing on the 2-1 ML favorite 3-PADDY CLASS, who’s dropping from $16K level and going turf to dirt. Dale Romans’ is 7 of last 21 dropping multiple class levels and 20% with this particular surface switch. Thinking she’s fastest of all early and wires them. 1-Unrivaled Soul disappointing last out as 2.9/1 at this level, and is transferred away from Jorge Navarro barn to Alexis Camano. The rail wins at 21% for these mile races during the meet.
RACE 2: 3-2-7. OFF TURF: 5-7
Five of 8 in here come out of a February 3rd race here at today’s level. I, however, looked elsewhere as I was not impressed with that race. 3-BLUES SONGS ran 2nd of 11 last out on New Years Day after adding blinkers and was also the first time Carlos Lugo rode. Yes we’re not going to get the 49-1 that she was last time but will still be a decent price I believe. 2-Much About It is taking a big drop in class for Saffie Joesph and gets Tyler Gaffalione in the saddle today. Joesph is still winning 27% at the meet.
RACE 3: 1-3-5 OFF TURF: 5-9-1
1-DON’T BE SO SALTY is making 2nd start this meet and in last start was unprepared at the break and the race was over for this front runner. I believe he’s fastest here early provided he breaks well which I think new jock Joe Bravo definitely does. 3-Gran Malbec could be early leader if Salty doesn’t break well again, he will be up there early regardless. Has only been out of money one time and that was on dirt. Has had the lead first call 7 of 9 starts.
RACE 4: 2-4-9 OFF TURF: 10-9-8
2-CORDELE can be excused for that last poor effort off the turf after coming in with a two race winning streak on turf at today’s level. Junior Alvarado was aboard in those races as well as today. Will be coming from slightly off the pace which I think this race sets up very well to do. 4-Awsum Roar absolutely freaked last out winning by 3 and earning a 98 BRIS figure but was claimed from the Jason Servis barn.looks to be the fastest early but will have company, and I’m doubtful that 9-2 ML will be close to her actual odds, nonetheless a contender to consider at the right price.
RACE 5: 4-5-2
This is not a good field for a $25K OC on dirt but I’m siding with 4-DROP DEAD RED who is going turf to dirt for Kelly Breen(19%), who switches to Jose Ortiz today.
RACE 6: 3-4-2. OFF TURF: 10-11-9
3-MY WHIPPERSNAPPER did nothing in debut last June but has been gelded since and the Casse barn is pretty good off long layoffs, clicking at 18% and get Irad Ortiz aboard. These two have won about half the races they’ teamed up in recently. 4-Mr. Edgar nearly won last out when being dropped to Maiden Claimers for first time and could be the early speed here. 2-Grenadier drops to the MC ranks for first time for Michael Tomlinson and will probably be stalking early pace.
RACE 7: 6-3-5. OFF TURF: 6-5-8
6-ABYSSINIAN is making turf debut for Wesley Ward today but judging by that 5 furlong work in a nice 59:3 on the 23rd should have no problem today with grass. Curious as to why the blinkers off move. Ward is 22% first turf and off long layoffs and has John Velazquez in the saddle. 3-Caspian Jewel makes 4th straight start at today’s level and will be coming off the pace again.Am hoping the switch to Gaffalione provides a slight change in tactics, as you don’t want to be coming from too far behind in these turf sprints. Nice ML of 12-1.
RACE 8: 6-4-2
6-ECLIPSED MOON has won 2 in a row since Luis Saez got the mount and won both here with different race tactics. Last out had to come from well off the pace early on and still won going away. Two back was close up on pace early, took the lead halfway through and never looked back.coming in off a sharp 4 furlong work, wouldn’t surprise me if he gets claimed as well. 4-Storming My Way stretches out to a mile today and I believe Irad puts him closer to the pace than his last couple of races.
RACE 9: 8-4-3. OFF TURF: 9-4-2
8-TRILBY won vs similar last out at 12-1, yes I know she’s not going to be that today but she really likes turf and has never been out of the money in 6 starts on grass. Will be coming from off the pace here once again for Brian Hernandez. Trainer Charles Dickey, no relation to Ryan Dickey(allegedly) is 18% with horses who won last out. 4-Dynatown I think ends up the post time favorite here for Mark Casse, who goes Blinkers Off(22%) and had the lead at the top of the stretch last out vs similar before being caught by top choice.
RACE 10: 6-3-5
6-POSSE NEEDED ran 2nd vs similar last out and should have options today as far as race tactics go breaking from the outside. 3-Coach Rocks makes 4 year old debut and returns to the track she had her success at, winning the Gulfstream Park Oaks 11 months ago which was also her last time in winners circle. Has only ran 7 furlongs once which was a so so 5th beaten 9 lengths last year at Gulfstream. She could win on class here but too short a price to trust off 6 month layoff.
RACE 11: 8-6-2