Hello everyone and welcome to another Thursday of racing from Gulfstream Park. Hopefully all the rain from last weekend is gone and we can get back to fast and firm conditions. Last week we had 4 on top winners, unfortunately all big favorites. 11 races today, let’s go!
RACE 1: 5-4-9
5-COCKTAIL SKIRT almost won at this level last out, losing by only a head and hopefully has a better start than that race in which she was steadied. Jane Cibelli is 22% 2nd off the layoff and this horse looks on pace figures will be the one running best late. 4-Triby was 3rd at this level last out losing by 2 lengths at 37-1. Did get held up a bit by traffic. Has never been out of money at this distance or on turf, and Trainer Charles Dickey is 18% in turf starts his last 120 with a +.60 ROI. 9-Motherwell was beaten less than s length last out in same race with top choice, looks to be one of only a couple in here to be more forwardly placed early.
RACE 2: 1-6-4
1-BE A HERO has been the runner up three starts in a row, not exactly what you want as your top pick at very short odds, but I can’t find anyone else in this race that should seriously challenge. Has a 7-4-2-0 record at the distance and his BRIS figs are 10-15 points higher than anyone else’s recent form. Wouldn’t be surprised if Castillo sends him to the front from the rail. 6-Pachanga Party has decent early speed and is 3rd off the layoff for Juan Arias (24%) and had 3 wins at this price level last year here. If he could run those races today would give top pick everything he could handle, just not sure that happens. 4-Who Cares no match last out be price level but first off the claim for De La Cerda(25%).
RACE 3: 6-3-2
6-GLORIOUS MYSTERY ran 2nd at today’s level last out when trying it for the first time, and was claimed by Antonio Sano, who while he has struggled at the meet, excels 1st off the claim at 29%. Ran a very even pace going a mile so I’m not loving the cutback in distance. 3-W W Cougar could be on the lead early on and gets a big jock switch to Luis Saez. Also ran 2nd at today’s level last out. 2-Vicky Apple drops from MC $35K and makes first start of 2019. May be making up ground late.
RACE 4: 4-3-5
4-SI ES GOYA broke his maiden two back on a race taken off the turf at GP West, then they got him finally in turf last out and had little run, so it’s back to dirt for this Marcial Navarro trainee. He’s 25% turf to dirt and Irad Ortiz rides today. Should be right behind the early pacesetters. 3-Math Wizard dominated last time out at the $16K level while sitting off a so so pace before taking over by the stretch. Is 1st off the claim for Paul Kopaj and has a big shot today with expected speed early from 3-4 runners to chase at. 5-Our Pride won at the $20K level last out and looks to be one of the early speeds I was referring to. Ran 3rd at this level two back. Oscar Gonzalez is an impressive 31% with claim repeaters.
RACE 5: 4-6-3
4-SILLY FACTOR has won 3 in s row including 3 back at today’s level last fall at GP West. Should be able to stalk behind early pacesetters Nikki Bella and possibly Queen Roller. Gerald Bennett and Samy Camacho are 7 of their last 15 together and this is the only race that either are in today here, so that means to me Bennett came to GP specifically to spot this horse in this spot. 6-Nikki Bella should be on the front end early and if she doesn’t get pressure from anywhere could be very dangerous at 6-1. Romped last out at a n3L level but even though the price level today is $10K, still a big step up facing OC’s. Victor Barboza has two in here, and is killing it at the meet at a 31% clip. Has 3 wins at today’s distance. 3-Violent Danger is the “other” Barboza and won at a $10,000 beaten claimer level before being outclassed at $25K last out.
RACE 6: 6-1-8
6-BLASPHEMY was claimed off a win last out in a $16K n2L and is moved into this OC for Florida-breds, but not in for the tag today. In 3 of his 4 turf races, has made nice closing runs and gets the added benefit of Irad Ortiz today. 1-Souper Scat Daddy was 2nd vs similar last out and if he can find more room to run in stretch may be the one to beat, but will be a short price. 8-Expected Ruler beat SSD last out in his first try at this level and maybe the early pacesetter today. First off the claim for Peter Walder(21%) and Paco retains mount.
RACE 7: 3-6-2
Not going to go against the chalk here. 3-QUEEN OF BEAS broke her maiden last out by almost 2 lengths, and was ahead of the show horse by almost 12 lengths. Like the pattern of a 6 furlong race, 7 furlongs in second race , and now stretches out to a mile. 6-Graceful Princess broken her maiden in debut by almost 2 lengths last year at Saratoga and comes in off four consecutive works. May be the one to catch here. 2-Western Curl finished 3rd in the Ontario Lassie over s month and a half ago after breaking maiden on turf. Today will be first try on conventional dirt which I’m doubting will be a problem for the daughter of Curlin.
RACE 8: 5-2-6
5-SARANDA is in for a tag for the first time in her racing career after a couple of unsuccessful tries at entry level allowance company. I like the fact John Velazquez stays on board for a Trainer he doesn’t normally ride for. Not liking the 0/28 at the meet for Carlo Vaccarezza, and maybe I’m judging this horses chances today from her first three races rather than her last three. Still there’s things to like at 12-1. 2-Pound Note came back after 15 months off to break maiden at the 20K level easily and now “moves up” to $50K n2L but I think Thomas Bush wanted a starting point last out rather than trying to see where she fit at class level wise. Also ignore his 0-19 first route stat, that last race was a two turn event at 7.5 furlongs, which is pretty much a route.
RACE 9: 2-5-8
2-CASPIAN JEWEL tried similar last time out in her turf debut, getting off to a slow start that saw her last halfway through the race but she did get up for 3rd. Trainer John Mattine added blinkers which I am believing is to keep her a little more focused so she doesn’t have another poor break today. Big jock switch to Irad Ortiz. 5-Malibu Dawn cuts back from a mile and drops from the stakes company she’s kept her last two starts, should be showing good speed early. Second time Lasix for Graham Motion and switches to hot jock Javier Castellano. 8-Lady Magica ran a winning race last out in turf debut at today’s level, except she didn’t win but was a just beaten 2nd. Got caught in the final strides after leading virtually the whole race. Comes in off a nice bullet work, and trainer Gilberto Zerpa is 40% over the last 13 months!
RACE 10: 3-5-7
This is the male equivalent of race 8. 3-CABINET PIK drew off to a relatively easy win last out in his turf route debut. Makes a big class jump today but if this one is allowed to be in the front end without pressure could last all the way to the wire. Trainer Jorge Duarte is 4 of 10 at the meet and 6 of 17 with runners on turf. Two nice turf works since that win. 5-Eagle Dance ran 3rd at this level last out after vying at the top of stretch in that race before weakening to 3rd. Had a horrible post last out breaking from post 11, has a better one today. Also was claimed by Jorge Navarro (26%). 7-Carlos Sixes hasn’t ran in 14 months but trainer Kevin Attard is actually pretty decent off long layoffs (16%) and is entered for a claiming price for first time in 8 race career. Think he’ll be stalking top choice here early on.
RACE 11: 3-10-6
3-SLEEPING GIANT looks to take them gate to wire in the finale and also looks to get back to his old form. The lightly raced 7 year old is making first turf start in 11 months. Jose Ortiz gets the mount for the son of 2007 Virginia Derby winner Red Giant. 10-Call Wil just missed at this level last out and makes 2nd start for Michael Pino(29%), doubt that 5-1 ML holds up though. 6-Kantheros’ Image was 5th in that race that Call Wil was 2nd in, a race won by the 7-Moonwalker, and was steadied in that race.