Thursday's Best Bet: Midnight Ballerina tips the scales at Gulfstream
Thursday’s 8th race from Gulfstream Park is an optional claiming event for fillies and mares dashing seven furlongs on the main track (Post Time 4:11 p.m. EST).
No. 9 MIDNIGHT BALLERINA (6-1) earned the best last race speed rating in a local runner-up finish at one mile Jan. 7. Jose Ortiz wins races with Bill Mott and she is a logical contender if able to run two alike. Early-pressing types from outer posts perform well at this extended sprint distance.
No. 8 Pass the Champagne (8-5) almost upset Malathaat in the Ashland (G1) last year, and went to the sidelines after finishing far back in the Kentucky Oaks (G1). She graduated at this course and distance last winter and figures to stalk outside under Luis Saez. This can be a tricky distance for returnees but I would not be surprised if she ran well at low odds.
No. 10 Psychic Ability (6-1) exits a runner-up finish as the beaten favorite at six panels and that was her first start in more than seven months. She has every right to move forward.
Wagers:
No. 9 to Win
Exacta 9/8-10
Exacta 8-10/9
Recent Best Bet Winners
Jan. 18 - VROYSKY ($13.20), Exacta ($44.60)
Jan. 21 - BADGER KITTEN ($4.20)
Jan. 25 - BRAZEN ($3.80), Exacta ($22.80)
Jan. 28 - YOUTE ($5.60), Trifecta ($62.40)
Jan. 29 - ESSENTIAL WAGER ($5.80)