Expert picks: Holy Bull Stakes predictions, longshots
At least one of 10 runners in Saturday's Grade 2, $350,000 Holy Bull Stakes will take a major step forward on the 2019 Kentucky Derby trail, and we tasked Horse Racing Nation contributors with picking him.
RELATED: Free Holy Bull Stakes past performances
Ahead of post time, 5:13 p.m. ET, for the featured 10th race at Gulfstream Park, here's a look at predictions for the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull:
Jeffrey Byrnes, Byrnzzze's Corner
Winner: #8 Maximus Mischief
On the board: #6 Mihos, #2 Federal Case
Longshot I like: #7 Come On Gerry
Analysis: Maximus Mischief has done everything right in his young career. He has already won going nine furlongs, so this distance should be no problem. He has also posted bullet works the last few weeks, looking ready to go. An outside post should be no concern given he offers plenty of speed, sitting on the lead in all three starts. He'll try to wire this group. Mihos comes in off a tough win in the new year. There will be speed in front of him to chase, though two turns is a concern for me. Federal Case has looked amazing since going to Todd Pletcher as a $650,000 auction buy out of his maiden win. This horse will sit right off the pace and try to pounce turning for home. Come on Gerry has won at this distance at Gulfstream Park when breaking his maiden in December. He also shows good early pace and drew inside of the favorite. Should he clear rivals and slow the fractions, he has an upset chance. I will play an 8-6-2-7 superfecta box.
Candice Curtis (@skipaway2000)
Winner: #8 Maximus Mischief
On the board: #6 Mihos, #1 Garter and Tie
Longshot I like: #3 Epic Dreamer
Analysis: Maximus is set on "go" for this seasonal debut. I see him heading straight to the lead and daring the other speed to challenge him. If new rider Jose Ortiz can measure his energy as former jockey Frankie Pennington did in the Remsen, I don't see anyone beating Maximus Mischief. Mihos, Federal Case and Garter and Tie should be used in your tris and supers. Epic Dreamer had a terrible trip in the Springboard Mile and gets a new rider. He too is worth a play.
Jarrod Horak, Pick 6 Blog
Winner: #2 Federal Case
On the board: #8 Maximus MIschief, #6 Mihos
Longshot I like: #5 Harvey Wallbanger
Analysis: Federal Case appears to want every bit of this distance for Todd Pletcher. He won both of his starts, son of Gemologist could fall into a perfect ground-saving stalking trip under his new rider Javier Castellano. Maximus Mischief cruised in all three juvenile starts and was in complete command throughout in the Remsen. Mihos drew well and got a great setup in the Mucho Macho Man on Jan 5. He must prove himself around two turns. Garter and Tie and Harvey Wallbanger should be picking off tired runners from the back of the pack. I will use both of them underneath. The Plays: #2 to win; exacta 2/6-8; exacta 6-8/2; trifecta 2-6-8/2-6-8/1-5.
Casey Laughter, The Tattooed Tracksider
Winner: #8 Maximus Mischief
On the board: #6 Mihos, #5 Harvey Wallbanger
Longshot I like: #1 Garter and Tie
Analysis: As much as I want to go against Maximus Mischief, he looked too good schooling in the paddock, and his numbers sit above the rest of the field. While there is going to be a lot of speed on the front end, I see Maximus Mischief being able to control that pace and get away enough to hold off the late runners such as Mihos and Harvey Wallbanger.
Reinier Macatangay, Setting the Pace
Winner: #6 Mihos
On the board: #2 Federal Case, #8 Maximus Mischief
Longshot I like: #5 Harvey Wallbanger
Analysis: While Maximus Mischief is talented, he faces a tough pace scenario with Gladiator King and Going for Gold set to press him on the outside. Mihos can take advantage of the pace and move on the far turn again, like he did when taking the Mucho Macho Man in a game effort over Trophy Chaser. Federal Case also deserves a look as he beat a nice sprinter in Frosted Grace, and Pletcher's runners tend to move up sharply in their second start off the bench.
Olivia Newman, The Final Stride
Winner: #8 Maximus Mischief
On the board: #6 Mihos, #2 Federal Case
Longshot I like: #7 Come On Gerry
Analysis: Maximus Mischief appears to be the standout in this race, as he has been training full of energy, and seems to have adapted to Gulfstream very well. Mihos proved he likes the track at Gulfstream in the afternoon by winning the Mucho Macho Man Stakes last month. Federal Case is stepping up in class, but has also beaten winners at Gulfstream, and his running style suits this race.
Christine Oser (@cb_oser)
Winner: #8 Maximus Mischief
On the board: #6 Mihos, #1 Garter and Tie
Longshot I like: #2 Federal Case
Analysis: Maximus Mischief has two-turn experience from the Remsen, but Mihos is also on the improve from his Mucho Macho Man. Here, he'll try to run down the favorite. Garter and Tie doesn't have the same class as those two, but his Gulfstream experience shows he's a consistent board hitter. Pletcher has had plenty of success on Gulfstream's Derby trail, with Federal Case getting his chance to step up here.