Hello and welcome to the next to the last Thursday of the Gulfstream Championship Meet. Last week we had 5 on top winners, though no real prices among the 5. Still, it was another good week, 3rd one in a row and let’s continue this week with another 10 race card.
RACE 1: 3-1-5
3-KING DADDIO looks to fastest early n and in this field of just 6 could take them all the way here in first start at Gulfstream. Like the switch to Luis Saez who I think will be able to better utilize his speed better than Garcia did. If King Daddio doesn’t flash the early speed I’m expecting, then 1-Good Timing Man could inherit the lead from the rail and thus improve his chances of an upset here. Gets 7lb Apprentice aboard.
RACE 2: 4-1-5
4-GLORIOUS MYSTERY bobbled at the start last out vs minor stakes company after breaking maiden at the end of January easily in gate to wire fashion. Iran Ortiz was aboard for that win and hops back on today, where he and trainer Saffie Joesph are 5 of last 10 together, 9/10 ITM. Joesph is 32% two sprints to a route. 1-Mary Lee and Me was overmatched the last two races but three back romped in a $20K claimer at today’s distance. 5-Poseia has hit the board her last 4 at today’s distance here but moves up to today’s level for the first time. Another who will flash early speed today and positive switch to Luis Saez in irons.
RACE 3: 6-1-3. Off Turf: 4-8-10
I don’t know if the races stay on the turf today but I really hope this one does because it’s a wide open affair with the 8 entered for turf and I like the upside 6-SUM OVERTURE has. Yes, there is the aspect that he was claimed from Jason Servis so he won’t run to previous form, however De La Cerda is 23% first off the claim and is stretching out to two turns for the first time. Never out of money in 4 previous turf starts. 1-It’s A New Year moves up to optional claimers from n3L level and comes in on a two race win streak. Also first off the claim for Norm Casse , and while it’s a very small sample, is 3/7 doing so. Also is 5 of 15 bringing winners of their previous race back to repeat. Looks to be stalking the early pace that should be set by 3-Expected Ruler.
RACE 4: 7-5-2
7-MONEY PURSE was 8 lengths behind expected favorite Country Strong two back and tried turf last out to no success. However there are races in her past that show she’s more than capable of winning here today, and she’s 5 of 7 ITM at today’s distance, which puts her in the mix right there as a contender and 8-1 M/L is hard to ignore. 5-Country Strong, as mentioned, will be short price here and is second off the layoff. Three consecutive runner up finishes are the reason she will have favoritism but all were multiple length losses so I’m not convinced if someone challenges her in here she’ll respond. 2-Coctails Or Candy was 2nd last out at level after setting pace and could be a pace presence again today.
RACE 5: 7-6-5 OFF TURF: 5-8-2
7-JUNE ANN makes 2nd start in the U.S. after last of 9 in first race here. Am willing to give another chance here with Tyler Gaffalione riding in place of injured Romero Maragh. The favorite 6-Sunnis comes in from Fairgrounds off a pair of thirds at level and should be up on the early pace here again today. 5-Makealitlemischief makes turf debut and in off a bullet work for Pletcher. Could be on the lead early here, depending how she takes to turf.
RACE 6: 1-2-5
1-DREAMY MARTINI has been ITM his last three at $6,250 level and is first off the claim for Marcial Navarro (26%) and 3 of last 6 moving horses up multiple levels. Hitting 44% at the meet. 2-Royal Holiday was 4th last out as 3-2 favorite at today’s level and is first off the claim for Oscar Gonzalez (26%) and is second time blinkers. 5-Eclipsed Moon is also first off the claim today and had a two race win streak broke in last, when finishing 4th of 7.
RACE 7: 9-4-5 OFF TURF: 9-1-8
9-FULL SWING was 2nd vs 4-Bello Porte last Out but the latter was allowed to get away with 24.3, 50, and 1:14 fractions in that race, something I don’t see repeating today. Pletcher 25% third off the layoff. 4-Bello Porte is 2-2 lifetime and has won using front runner and stalking tactics, so has shown versatility. Concerning Jose Ortiz jumps off here and rides 8-Cassie’s Dreamer. 5-Charmaine’s Mia stretches out to a route first time and was 2nd vs $75K OC last out.
RACE 8: 3-5-1
3-WINNING DRIVE broke maiden last out for Jason Servis and now takes on winners for first time. Servis is 41% coming in off a maiden win. He and Iran Ortiz are 14 of last 25 together. G.O.A.T. 5-W W Springtime was horrible last out but 2 and 3 back ran very well vs tougher. Red flags are Becker is 1-28 at the meet and they entered here for the tag despite not having to do so. 1-Luv This Lifestyle Has been off over 10 months when finishing mid pack in Kentucky Juvenile. Wesley Ward takes blinkers off(25%) But really weird all the comeback works are on turf.
RACE 9: 2-3 OFF TURF: 4-2
2-C C RIDER is a first time gelding for Michael Matz , beaten 57 lengths combined in last two dirt starts but his two turf runs last year were good for a pair of runner up finishes. 3-Unbridled Holiday comes in off a win on slop and first off the claim for Jorge Navarro, who is 34% with winners of their last race.
RACE 10: 6-2-8 OFF TURF: 10-11-9