Gulfstream Park: Pick 5 Action

As per usual, Gulfstream Park has offered up a fantastic card for this Saturday. It is highlighted by 3 stakes races, 2 of which I will discuss as part of the Pick 5 analysis. I think there are quite a few square priced horses that have a chance in the sequence. And although the Pick 5 came up tough, it seems to be manageable if you are willing to take a few shots. I put together a modest ticket that I think we have a nice shot at cashing. Let’s dive into this thing. The action kicks off with a non-winners of 2 in for a claiming tag of 35k on the green, let’s see if we can get hot…

Race 7 – Not a lot of trustworthy contenders in this affair, that is for sure. I elected to go 4 deep with the likes of Legenda Aurea, Tie Dye, Starship Pegasus, and Sands of Humor. Tie Dye and Starship are my pace plays, there does not seem to be a lot of early lick in here. I am thinking one of these gals may be able to pull a robbery if left unattended up front. If they are unable to hold on though, I think either Legenda Aurea or Sands of Humor will be the ones finishing best late. Sands of Humor should secure a nice pressing trip. He has won by being able to get that trip in the past. As for Legenda Aurea, she is taking a huge class drop. That may be a negative, but I will take a shot and include her. She has fired fresh in the past and receives Lasix for the 1^st time today. I think she is a must use, but if your worried about the drop, I understand. One that I left off my ticket that may have a shot is Zipso Facto. She has run well recently, I just thought she needed a little more pace to close into than she will get today. If you have the cash, she may be worth adding.

Race 8 – In leg 2, we have a nice maiden special weight for 3 year olds going a 1 turn mile on the main. Again, I will go 4 deep. I will use Vinceremos, My Storm Trooper, Four More, and Buck Magic. I am against the Todd Pletcher 1^st time starter breaking from the rail. As I’ve said in the past, in 1 turn events out of a chute, I am almost always against these horses. That goes double for a 1^st time starter. So with that said, here’s why I landed on who I did. I think Vinceremos and Four more have a right to improve 2^nd time out. Vinceremos’ 1^st race was in slop and I expect improvement this time out over dry dirt. Four More tried turf in his debut and showed nothing after steadying around the 1^st turn. He is a bit of a long shot, but Joel Rosario saw fit to ride so I will take a chance with him. My Storm Trooper was included based off his last race. He ran well while pressing a quick pace and held on for the place in the 1 1/16^th contest. I like that he shortens up a bit today and the fact he is back to 1 turn. He has a legit shot in my eyes. Lastly, Buck Magic is dropping out of the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill. He didn’t run that well that day, although he did show brief speed. His race 2 back though is what really got my attention. He broke from the rail going 7 furlongs and had to steady a bit in the backstretch. He did race a bit green, but hopefully he has matured since. He goes out for the 1^st time off the trainer switch to David Fawkes and keeps Joe Rocco in the saddle. He definitely has a shot.

Race 9 – The Grade 3 Marshua’s River came up pretty interesting and is a fantastic better race. It is loaded with speed and I believe it will be won from off the pace. I went with 3 stalkers in hopes they get a jump on the dead closers that I am against. I went with Floral Romance, Naples Bay, and Somali Lemonade. I almost singled Somali Lemonade in here, I really like her chances. She adds blinkers for this and has a best of 54 bullet work on the tab. I’m thinking that blazing work came after the shades were added. She has a huge shot in my eyes and I think now is the time to have her. As for Floral Romance, I am taking a stab with her. She runs well fresh and gets the services of Joel Rosario. She owns a win over the track and should sit a nice trip. Naples Bay was the last one I added. She loves Gulfstream and is another that I think should get a nice stalking trip. You can make a case for a lot of these. I could of added another 3 contenders if I wanted to spend more money. I will say this though, I would demand a price this race. There are a lot of evenly matched horses in here.

Race 10 – I am going to single in the main event of the day, The Spectacular Bid stakes. Giancarlo has a huge shot to win I believe. He drew well for this as he has a ton of speed to his inside. He should be able to sit a nice pressing trip and then pounce in the lane. He owns the top Beyer fig in the field with a 98 in his maiden breaker. At 8/1 on the morning line, I think I’m all in. The only knock I have about him, he switched leads late in his last after pressing a really fast pace. I think that is just a lack of seasoning. He possesses raw, natural speed. And if he learns how to harness it, look out.    

Race 11 – In the nightcap, I saw this as a one horse race. If I’m alive it will be to Principessa Gina. She is a 2^nd time starter for Todd Pletcher with Javier Castellano in the irons. She takes a slight drop in class and gets a much better post for this. The rest of the field is very questionable. If she improves even in the slightest, she should cruise. And that’s all I have to say about that.

The Play – I am going to play a fifty cent Pick 5 costing 24 dollars. I will go 1-3-4-8 with 3-4-8-9 with 1-6-10 with 6 with 5.

As Always folks, I wish all of you a winning day at the windows. I hope I helped strengthen your own opinions or turned you onto something you may not have thought of. Best of luck everyone, have a great day at the races.