Hello racing fans and welcome to the first Thursday of racing at Gulfstream Park for 2019! Hopefully we’re all recovered from our NYE hangovers. Speaking of hangovers, I’m on a 3 week one here after starting out fast the first week, last week we only got a single 2-1 winner home. My 2019 resolution is to have a positive ROI for the rest of the meet, so let’s get off on the right foot now!
RACE 1: 4-9-10
4-CHANNELBYTHEWIND is first off the claim for David Kassen, who is an astounding 6 of his last 10 after claiming a horse, with a +$8.26 ROI. Moves him up from MC $20k a month ago, which makes this, as a fellow Daily Gallop columnist has made famous, a “jail move” angle. Switches to Jaramillo, who’s 23% so far this meet. 9-Future Treasure ran 3rd vs this level last out, 2nd vs the level 3 back and is second time Lasix.
RACE 2: 4-2-7
4-BRYZZO is in for a tag for the first time for Dale Romans, and should benefit from the class relief here. 2-For The Gipper has a pair of thirds at the $30K beaten claimer level. De la cerda 20% sprint to route. 7-Juan and Bina was a well beaten 2nd last out at today’s level but well ahead of the show horse. ITM 17 of 32 in career.
RACE 3: 5-1-4
5-PERSONAL TIME puts blinkers on first time for Shug McGaughey(20%) . Was 2nd at Aqueduct last time out. Nice bullet 12/29 work. 1-Road To Meath has been off 9 months , but Chad Brown is 28% off long layoffs, so not sure that’s a negative here. 4-Sir Sensecal has a pair of 2nd’s at today’s level last two races but was the heavy favorite in both races. Could be on the early lead here.
RACE 4: 6-10-1
6-ORTIGA while I do have doubts on her getting the distance here, should be alone up front early, though I could see the 9 horse challenge for the front end. 10-Frozen Hannah was 2nd, beaten less than a length last race versus similar. Trainer Scott Becker 32% second off the layoff. 1-Prado Vision has been running in allowance optional claiming races. Last time she ran at today’s level resulted in an almost 2 length victory.
RACE 5: 5-1-6
5-DR HARLAN was 2nd of 9 beaten 1 length last out versus $12.5K n3L. Like the class drop and distance cut back. 1-Pass The Butter was second vs similar last out despite setting a somewhat fast pace, was the ;/5 favorite that day. Another who cuts back in dust, and probably will be on the early lead again today.
RACE 6: 6-5-1
6-ICE SHOW is first off the claim for Vitali and I see Irad Ortiz Jr sending to the front in a race where the distance has been dominated by early speed so far this meet. 5-Boranda won two back at today’s tag. Will be stalking the early pace I believe. 1-It’s Two Hot Benny takes a class drop for Jeremiah Englehart, who’s 41% dropping multiple class levels.
RACE 7: 7-6-2
7-GUNS OF STEEL looks like possible lone speed here and is 2nd off the claim for Jorge Navarro (31%) he and Jaramillo are 10 of last 24 together. 6-Royal Holiday was :rd last out versus similar and is second off the claim for Peter Walder(20%). Very good at today’s 1 Mile distance (5-2-1-1). 2-Chatiment is a strong contender today as long as it’s a fast track and not off.
RACE 8: 6-11-9
6-ESCARAPELA might not be a logical choice at first glance, but if you go back in his PP’s you find that at last year’s winter meet he ran two nice races at today’s distance. First off the claim for Juan Carlos Barrio. Paco Lopez 22% turf rider. 11-C’era Una Volta is on the turf for the first time, Sire Kantharos 17% first time turf. Has good early speed.
RACE 9: 4-2-5
4-STORM RUNNER gets some much needed class relief going two turns. Should be sitting a stalking trip behind the early pace today. The only other time Luis Saez today was 11 months ago, which resulted in a win and his best BRIS speed figure in career. 2-Brasstown has been in front first and second call his last four starts and I doubt that changes today. Could see some company up front however in Shareholder Value.
RACE 10: 9-5-2-7