Saturday Plays: Florida Derby, Ghostzapper, Gulfstream Pick 4

Here are selections for the late Pick 4 ending in the Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby on Saturday at Gulfstream Park. Plus, there are bonus picks for the Grade 3, $100,000 Ghostzapper Stakes earlier in the card.

Gulfstream Race 6: Ghostzapper Stakes (G3)

Even though No. 6 Greatest Honour finished sixth in the Challenger Stakes (G3) off a lengthy layoff at Tampa Bay Downs, he could move forward in his second start off the bench.

Fearless is also a contender after his two runner-up finishes to Speaker’s Corner in the local Fred W. Hopper Stakes (G3) and Gulfstream Park Mile (G2).

No. 5 Capocostello has a shot too after finishing a fourth in a local optional claimer on Jan. 15 won by Olympiad. Capocostello now stretches out to a more appropriate distance and makes his second start on this soil.

Win: 6 (at 3-1 or higher)

Win: 5 (10-1 or higher)

Gulfstream Race 11: Sanibel Island Stakes

Mischievous Kiss ran an even third in the local Herecomesthebride Stakes (G3) in her most recent start, while Ambitieuse closed fast for second to only lose by three-quarters of a length in the Sweetest Chant Stakes (G3) back in February before a disappointing ninth in the Florida Oaks (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs.

Both fillies can improve here in ungraded stakes company.

Also consider the returning Shad Nation, who finished fifth in the Chelsey Flower Stakes won by Mischievous Kiss last November. She might improve.

Pick 4: 1,6,8 / 2,7 / 2,4,5,7 / 6

Gulfstream Race 12: Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2)  

At first glance, Kathleen O. looks like a step above this field.

After an 8 1/2-length win in the local Cash Run Stakes back in January, Kathleen O. closed into a crowded group for a win in the Davona Dale Stakes last month. In the latter race, she earned a field high 102 on TimeformUS.

Yet, Kathleen O.’s deep closing style works against her in this race.

Catiche is the expected pacesetter. Last month, Catiche broke her maiden locally over the synthetic surface by six lengths after setting the pace.  

Gulfstream Race 13: Appleton Stakes (G3)

According to TimeformUS Pace Projector, the pace is labeled fast with Wolfie’s Dynaghost and Noble Indy leading the way.

The closers with the highest TimeformUS Late Pace Ratings in this race are Scarlett Sky, Order and Law and Gray’s Fable. All three of them are usable.

Also consider Phantom Currency, who returns off a layoff after winning the Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2) over a year ago. Irad Ortiz Jr. hops on board.

Gulfstream Race 14: Florida Derby (G1)

Charge It brings excitement to this race as a possible star.

He figures to sit in a good position, owns speed figures that put him in the mix of top contenders, possesses the right pedigree for stretching out and shows recent works where he outfinished older Grade 3-level stablemates from the Todd Pletcher barn such as Fearless and Promise Keeper.

He is the single. For those not playing multi-race wagers, Charge It is a good win bet at 3-1 or higher.

Win: 6 (at 3-1 or higher)