- Malkia- Rajiv Maragh- Laura Cazares
- This will be a huge step up for this mare. She ran two horrible races back to back in her first two starts at Gulfstream but then came back to win in an optional claiming race off of the nearly six month layoff. She seems to prefer Tampa Bay and she also seems to be on the slower side in this field, so due to that I will be looking elsewhere.
- Piece by Peace- John Velazquez- Rodolphe Brisset
- John Velazquez doesn’t usually hop on just any 20/1 in a stakes race these days. This filly has a ton of speed early on. She is a former Chad Brown trainee in which she ran 11th as a favorite in her debut back in February. Since going to the Brisset barn, she has slowly improved, especially with the addition of blinkers two back. However, unless she goes gate to wire which could happen, I will be looking elsewhere.
- Magic Star- Irad Ortiz Jr.- Chad Brown
- Chad Brown, brings in this lightly raced filly that broke her maiden in her debut at Saratoga which earned her an 84 beyer and a slight layoff which is a good sign. She then came back to run in an Allowance race at Belmont in October in which she passed some tired competitors and never really got going. However, that was over a little bit more wet surface than todays. I think the addition of Irad over his brother is also key here. I like this filly a lot today in this spot.
- Sweet Bye and Bye- Luis Saez- Steve Klesaris
- Sweet Bye and Bye is a nice and consistent mare for Steve Klesaris. She used to run at Parx in her 2yo year in which she was dominant on dirt. She also won 2 races at Parx on the turf in her 2yo campaign. Then in her 3yo debut she ran a game 2nd to Oleksandra who is a classy filly in her own right at Belmont. She continued to run on dirt until this past fall in which she ran 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, in the three starts in New York. She seems to be quicker and actually like turf more than dirt. However, even though I think she can take to the distance pretty well, I think she is more of a sprinter. I will be using her underneath but not as a top pick.
- Andina Del Sur- Javier Castellano- Thomas Albertrani
- Andina Del Sur is the most intriguing to me in this field. She might be the favorite in this spot but I think the two horses to the inside of her will get more play. She has been improving in each of her last five starts coming into this race. She however seems to not like to win at Gulfstream. She has gotten better with time and experience so I will be putting that angle into consideration a little less than normal. I think Javier can get this filly in the right spot on the backstretch and with some early pacesetters to the inside of him possibly going, I think the trip should set up nicely for her. She will be my top pick in this race.
- Maroubra (FR)- Paco Lopez- Cherie DeVaux
- This French mare seems to not like American turf. She has only hit the board once in 6 starts last year in America and has races at 5 different racetracks in that timeframe. She ran very well for 4th in her US debut at Gulfstream in a Grade 3 in March of last year. I think if she goes back to that race and with Paco aboard instead of Leparoux she might just get the aggressive trip she needs. Will be using her underneath here.
- Munchkin Money- Tyler Gaffalione- Christophe Clement
- Munchkin Money is a familiar horse for me due to her New York run in which I follow a little more consistently than Gulfstream. She seems to be closer but can sit right next to the speed if needed. Clement has gotten a little more out of her than Brian Lynch did so I like her being in this barn still. She is coming off of a mighty fine effort in a small stake here at Gulfstream which was most likely a tune up for this spot. Tyler Gaffalione has been on fire in stakes competition down at Gulfstream this meat and this 7yo can possibly get the job done again.
TOP PICKS
#5 Andina Del Sur
#3 Magic Star
#7 Munchkin Money