Saturday’s Best Bet: Accretive is on the rise in Fred Hooper
Saturday’s 11th race at Gulfstream Park is the Grade 3 Fred W. Hooper Stakes for 4-year-olds and up traveling one mile on the main track. The scheduled post time is 4:20 p.m. EST.
Click here for Gulfstream Park entries and results.
No. 8 Accretive (5-1) broke a step slow and was hung out wide over a speed favoring wet surface in the Cigar Mile Handicap (G2) last time, and those are valid excuses for his off-the-board finish. His form was solid before that with a clear runner-up finish in the Vosburgh (G2) and a close show finish in the Forty Niner (G2). He sports a pair of Payson Park bullets for this, and he might work out a great outer, tactical trip under Irad Ortiz Jr.
No. 1 Hejazi (8-5) was sharp in an optional-claiming win in his return Nov. 3 and was clearly second best behind his stablemate Speed Boat Beach in the Malibu (G1) on Dec. 26. He should be all over the pace from the inside post under his new rider Flavien Prat.
No. 11 Tumbarumba (8-1) always runs his race on fast dirt. He won the Ellis Park Derby at one mile last summer and missed by a head when landing the show in the Oklahoma Derby (G3). He chased the pace and was was miles clear of the show finisher in a four-horse renewal of the Louisiana Champions Day Classic at Fair Grounds on Dec. 9. He reconnects with his winning rider Luis Saez, and an outside stalking trip is expected.
No. 3 Steal Sunshine (6-1) raced wide from an outer post and ended up an even fourth in the Harlan’s Holiday (G3) last time. He has a good overall record at Gulfstream Park and is 4-for-7 at one mile.
No. 6 Gilmore (15-1) rallied for the place in the Mr. Prospector (G3) at seven panels Dec. 23. The competent closing sprinter likes a flat mile and should offer value.
No. 12 Signator (8-1) cuts back in distance after rallying wide to finish a close fourth in the Queens County at Aqueduct on Dec. 31. He likes this distance and should be finishing at square odds.
Get Jarrod’s Santa Anita analysis.
Wagers
No. 8 to win
Exacta box 1-8
Trifecta 1-8/1-3-6-8-11-12/1-3-6-8-11-12
Recent Best Bet winners
Jan. 1 – Otello ($5.40), trifecta ($100.00)
Jan. 4 – Dr. Ray D. ($7.00), exacta ($15.40), trifecta ($28.60)
Jan. 5 – Virat ($7.40), trifecta ($72.20)
Jan. 6 – Comparative/Saddle Up Jessie/Evidencias trifecta ($45.40)
Jan. 9 – In Spades ($7.80)
Jan. 12 – Crimson Rose/Nokie exacta ($10.80), trifecta ($56.40)
Jan. 14 – My Mane Squeeze/Bernietakescharge/
Last Saturday – Saudi Crown/Red Route One exacta ($12.00)