Gulfstream Park 1/23/20
By: Michael Jordan Twitter: @mhjpicks
Forecast: Partly Cloudy, 70-76 degrees, 20% chance of rain
Race 1
25k MCL, 5f-Turf
#1 Lalali is an anchor selection dropping into the claiming ranks off a bullet workout and two solid efforts. Lalali also posts the highest speed figures of group. #8 Aznavour is also dropping in class but did not have a solid effort first outing. What Azbavour does have is a trainer who is 52% off the claim and that can’t be ignored. #7 De Pura Sangre looks to be forwardly places and has two decent efforts on the turf so far.
⚓️1/
8/7
Race 2
16k CL, 6f-Dirt
#7 Probably Grace just missed last out and is first off the claim for Maker. While the #1 beat this one last out, the added half curling should help, especially if Ortiz can keep this one from running 5 wide again. #10 Magicgirl is first off the claim for Falcone (22% off the claim) and gets a jockey upgrade with Saez, looking to turn the tables on #4 Lady Archa who is looking to go back to back has the hugsest speed figures of the group and will look to draw off late. #3 Afandi goes back to the dirt after a failed effort on the turn for Zerpa. Might not be fast enough, but hard to leave out a horse who won at debut by 4 and a half lengths.
7/10/4/3
Race 3
50k MSW, 1m-Dirt
Not only will it sound cool to have Aiello saying this name in the stretch, I think #1 Wajeeha can run away with this one. Brown hovers around 30% with horses second off and switching to dirt, plus add in a really nice workout on 1/12 off the solid turf efforts and I see a logical anchor pick here. #5 Canadian Sunset will likely be the pace setter and will try to steal the race on the lead. Could be lone speed but track record indicates a fading history. #2 Navasha comes off a brief layoff and has an aggressive rider in Lopez who will keep her involved-along with some decent dirt starts could improve for Clemente.
⚓️1/
5/2
Race 4
30k MCL, 1 1/16m-Dirt
Maker and Ortiz should be able to team up and get #2 Elusive Molly her elusive first victory. She is improving every race and has the highest speed figures of the field, plus drops down another level. #3 Kayersi is an interesting player in the race. She comes from up north where she has finished fourth in all three starts whether making the pace or coming off of it. There is obviously some talent here waiting to come together. #6 Midnight Bella is also improving each race and with another bump up she could steal this one.
⚓️2/3/6
Race 5
16k AOC, 1 1/16m-Dirt
In what could be the close of a light early p5 things heat up for an open start to the P6. #4 Biondetti’s Choice is first off the claim for Attard (33% in a limited sample) and will be in this one early with the staying power to get it done in a race without much expected pace. #2 Here Comes Jackie is a twice beaten favorite who has raced against tougher groups than this will look to be in this one early with the #4. Dini does not have the best stats in the pertinent angles but brings Castellano a aboard who led this one to a victory at Saratoga. #5 Lovey Luvy will try to make a late move but is a bit pace dependent in this case. Navarro will have this one ready to swing side and try to catch them in the stretch. #1 Night Watch is also worth mentioning as she is in good form and has transferred to Alvarado who is 19% with a $4.58 ROI with horses new to his barn.
4,2,5,1
Race 6
16k CL, 5f-Turf
#4 Nilestar is on a quick turnaround however ran a great race pressing off the pace and could look to do so again here. Sanchez is 22% on the turf and 21% with last out winners. #7 Hire the Lady is the likely favorite off several great outings and has the speed to get out and win this one. #9 Charlieanna is also a speed type who will be pressing the pace. In a limited sample Broome has pretty good trainer stats. #10 Note to Selfie will be trying to run late and pick up the pieces of a hot pace for Navarro/Saez.
4,7,9,10
Race 7
16k SOC, 1m-Dirt
Perhaps some of it is sentiment, but #7 Empire Power figures as my top selection here. In good form right now he has a running style that could overcome the speed as many of these show early speed, which is tough to maintain in a mile long race. #2 Lil Commissioner has two solid dirt efforts after a career mostly on turf. Navarro and Saez are 30% when they team up. #4 Salsa’s Return looks for a rerun to the winners circle for the first time since August for Navarro. If Jaramillo can keep this one running evenly, then he will make a nice stretch run to try and get home.
7/2/4
Race 8
50k SOC, 5f-Turf
This race is an absolute monster puzzle to put together. The most impressive past performance goes to #2 Cajun Casanova who crushed the field in a 75k stakes effort on this course. Has some dirt class to go along with that race and I think the return to grass will be welcomed. #6 Mind Your Own Biz boasts a 2-2 record at Hawthorne and tries turf for the first time. Rivelli is 14% on that angle and while that doesn’t jump off the page in a race like this sometimes the edge to look for is the simple change. #5 No Nay Maybe is off the maiden win for Navarro and has been working well since that effort. #1 Bahamian Prince is always in the mix and should be right on the lead while moving up off a claiming win.
2/6/5/1
Race 9
62.5k AOC, 6.5f-Dirt
Small but tough field in this race with a lot of speed. #2 Get Hammered will benefit from others getting hammered at the window and could provide some value. Rivelli is 33% in sprints which is surprisingly higher than highly regarded Jorge Navarro who has a couple entered. This one will look to get out and hang on. #1 Benefactor is a major player but may prefer a little bit shorter of a race. He certainly has the speed, trainer and jockey angles covered, however is a beatable favorite. #6 Royal Urn is the only real late runner in this group and could benefit from the expected hot pace. While I like these as my top three this group is very competitive and you could make a legitimate case for each horse, consider spreading here in multi race bets.
2/1/
6
Race 10
16k MCL, 1 1/16m-Turf
#4 takes the drop to the claiming rank off some decent MSW performances. Lynch is 23% with this angle and has the fastest horse by consistent speed figures. #3 Doneglal Aces tired out last race after a tough start, also boasts the top single race speed figures of the others. I see a potential torpedo in the #7 Royal Family, who has not lived up to expectations but has potential to pop with these beatable favorites. Jockey Fanny Olsson , while not a well known name she is certainly capable and is just breaking on to the scene.
4/3/
7
⚓️=Anchor Pick-Most likely winner, one to anchor multi race bets around
=Torpedo Pick-Morning line of 10-1 or greater