Super Screener preview: Oppose the favorite in Harlan's Holiday
The weekend's only graded stakes include a trio of events at Gulfstream Park and a pair at Santa Anita Park. Unfortunately, four of those five races are on turf and rain is forecast in the area of both racetracks.
So for Super Screener preview purposes, we'll focus on the Harlan's Holiday (G3), a 1 1/16-mile tilt on the main track that could serve as a Pegasus World Cup prep for a few of these.
But make no mistake, this is no default selection. Mike Shutty's Super Screener views the Harlan's Holiday as a race with a vulnerable morning-line favorite in no. 6 O'Connor and as having high payoff potential.
"This may be the best wagering opportunity among the stakes races this weekend, as the Super Screener landed on a double-digit odds horse as one of the top win contenders," Shutty writes. "The pace will clock in right around par, and the pressure will be moderate, which will make this one difficult to win from well off the pace."
No. 10 Steal Sunshine is the double-digit odds horse. Not only is the 15-1 morning-line choice seen as a top win contender but also as the most reliable board hitter in the field of 11.
"This four-year-old is on one of the best form-cycle ascents in this field, having moved forward in each of his last three races and doing so in orderly increments of gain," Shutty says. "If the pace comes up faster or more pressured than anticipated, this is the horse that will benefit most. The risk/reward value proposition on this colt is highly favorable."
The other top win contender is no. 9 Gasoline, a 9-2 morning line choice who Shutty expects to rebound off his last and run back to his best.
"He projects to sit an ideal pressing trip in the clear while negotiating reasonable fractions and reserving plenty of energy for the stretch drive," Shutty says.
This week's Super Screener includes all five graded stakes this weekend plus the Rampart from Gulfstream. Each race has picks, analysis and wagering strategy, and a special conclusion with a strategy guide for the late ick 4 at Gulfstream.