Expert picks: Selections for Gulfstream's Hal’s Hope Stakes
Names from Kentucky Derby trails past, including early prep winners from last year Irish War Cry and Malagacy, will meet up Saturday as older horses in Gulfstream Park’s Grade 3, $100,000 Hal’s Hope Stakes.
We polled our network of contributors for their picks and analysis ahead of the feature, with post time set for 5:35 p.m. ET. Good luck!
Nick Costa, Trackside with Trackman
Winner: #6 Malagacy
On the board: #3 Conquest Big E, #1 Irish War Cry
Longshot I like: #3 Conquest Big E
Analysis: Malagacy’s last effort was strictly a prep for this race. He’s perfectly spotted and always run well at Gulfstream. The improving Conquest Big E goes third time off the layoff, often a horse’s best race. Irish War Cry begins his 4-year-old season. Morning works indicate he is ready. Look for him to be prominent at this shorter distance.
Casey Laughter, The Tattooed Tracksider (@WritingCasey)
Winner: #2 Economic Model
On the Board: #1 Irish War Cry, #7 Giuseppe the Great, #3 Conquest Big E
Longshot I Like: #8 Send It In
Analysis: I want to like Irish War Cry in here, but he is definitely vulnerable. Instead, Economic Model has been working very well in company with Good Magic, the 2017 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner. Giuseppe The Great gets blinkers this time and could improve. Conquest Big E has found a racing niche of one-turn miles and seemed to enjoy Gulfstream. Send It In comes back off an almost year-long layoff and has the highest speed figure of anyone in the field, posting a 110 in the 2017 Excelsior.
Averie Levanti, 31 Lengths
Winner: #8 Send It In
On the board: #6 Malagacy, #3 Conquest Big E
Longshot I like: #7 Giuseppe the Great
Analysis: If anyone can bring them back off of layoffs, it’s Todd Pletcher, rocking a 30% win clip at layoffs over 90 days. If Send It In returns to the same form he saw last spring, it’s game over in the Hal’s Hope (and possibly the 2018 handicap division).
Reinier Macatangay, Setting the Pace (@tracinglifemore)
Winner: #3 Conquest Big E
On the board: #1 Irish War Cry, #8 Send It In
Longshot I like: #7 Giuseppe the Great
Analysis: Fans love betting horses who once competed on the Derby trail. Luckily for Conquest Big E (who ran in a couple of 2016 prep races), there are two other horses who featured in 2017’s preps – Irish War Cry and Malagacy. The more famous duo should eat up money and cause an overlay situation for Conquest Big E, who comes into the race off two strong local efforts.
Jasen Mangrum, Handicapper’s Corner (@Cappercorner)
Winner: #6 Malagacy
On the board: #2 Economic Model, #8 Send It In
Longshot I like: #7 Giuseppe the Great
Analysis: Malagacy will improve second off the layoff while stretching out from a sprint in which he drew the rail. Economic Model hails from the Chad Brown barn & has been working great every seven days for his return effort. Expect improvement on his victory last out. Send It In owns some of the fastest figures in the field, when running against weaker and getting great trips. Should get a nice stalking trip with his outside draw.
Kate Richards, Racing Hearts
Winner: #2 Economic Model
On the board: #6 Malagacy, #1 Irish War Cry
Analysis: Economic Model won his last race and is cranked. Malagacy is on the improve after a layoff, and Irish War Cry is the class of this field but needs a race.
Ashley Tamulonis, From Coast to Coast (@Florida_Filly)
Winner: #6 Malagacy
On the board: #1 Irish War Cry, #8 Send It In
Longshot I like: #7 Giuseppe the Great
Analysis: Irish War Cry has been working nicely toward this spot, but Malagacy will be sharper second off the layoff. With so much speed in here, Sent It In will get set up nicely despite the extended layoff. Giuseppe the Great gets his blinkers back and likes the Gulfstream track. He could certainly improve off his last effort.