Free Fort Lauderdale PPs now available
Saturday's contentious Fort Lauderdale (G2) at Gulfstream Park brings a spark to a quiet weekend of American racing.
The $200,000, 1 1/8 mile turf affair features ten runners, including two exiting the Breeders' Cup Mile.
Factor This, eighth in the Mile, and Halladay, sixth in the Mile, bring plenty of credentials into this race, which could serve as a prep for next month's Pegasus World Cup Turf.
Halladay captured the Fourstardave (G1) this summer and is flawless in three starts at Gulfstream Park. Multiple Grade 2 winner Factor This returns to arguably his best distance (three for five lifetime) and has produced some huge Brisnet Speed Figures, including a 110 in the Dinner Party Stakes (G2).
Both runners have similar front-running styles. Likely third-choice Somelikeithotbrown also has enough early speed to press the issue.
We turn to our friends at Brisnet for free past performances to help sort out which speed horse is the most likely to stick around.
According to Brisnet's Prime Power Rankings, Factor This has a pretty significant edge over Halladay, with Halladay having about the same edge over Somelikeithotbrown.
Distance seems to be the key here. Halladay thrives from seven furlongs to 1 1/16 miles, while Factor This is at his best from 1 1/16 miles to 1 1/4 miles. Factor This is a front-runner that carries his speed through the slower paces of longer distances. As indicated by his record, 1 1/8 miles is ideal for him.
If Factor This puts away Halladay and Somelikeithotbrown, the battle will be on for second. It is imperative to find a horse who can close into this expected hot pace. For more information on that, we analyze Brisnet's late pace last race figures.
Largent, Doswell and Tide of the Sea, who all bring good form to this race, are pressers who do not have a strong enough late kick to benefit from tracking a hot pace.
Channel Cat and Spooky Channel will be the two main beneficiaries. Both runners return from a layoff and may been better at slightly longer, but they are both more than capable of competing with these on their best day. The circumstances appear ripe for them to get at least get a slice. Breaking the Rules' last race was subpar, but it was on a yielding surface. He also has the right style to make an impact.
Halladay will take plenty of money, but appears vulnerable while facing other speed at a distance that may be beyond his reach. Factor This is the right horse to key in exacta boxes with a trio of closers at nice prices; Channel Cat, Spooky Channel and Breaking the Rules.
Determine who you like by taking a closer look at the Ft. Lauderdale PPs below, with the option to go full screen in the lower right corner of the window. Visit our free past performances page to view more free stakes PPs.