GULFSTREAM: SATURDAY’S PICK-5

By Matt Pappis
Staff Writer —-

Race 8) 1ˆ Mile. (Turf) MC 25000 Purse $23,000 (includes $3,000 FOA – Florida Owners
Awards) FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD Post Time: ( 3:32)/ 2:32/ 1:32/12:32

Knight Errant (7): Goes first time turf for a sire that is around 20 percent first time on turf, and though he has showed nothing in two career starts, I’m hoping the turf wakes him up in a dreadful field of maiden 25k claimers.

Rodeo Romance (6): much improved when getting on the turf for the first time and should continue to get better in only his third career start.

Chasing the Dream (1): From a numbers perspective this one is much the one to beat, but it did not give me much confidence when he showed nothing on the drop last out.

*I recommend using as many horses as your budget allows here*

Race 9) 6½ Furlongs. ™Mdn 46k Purse $46,000 (includes $8,000 FOA – Florida Owners
Awards) FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD. Post Time: ( 4:03)/ 3:03/ 2:03/ 1:03

Apiary (8): A very well bred firster for McLaughlin who is coming into this race off good workouts.

Nonna Bella (3): Todd Pletcher has a lot of success with first out maiden special weights at Gulfstream and with many unknowns in this race you can bet this one will take all the money.

Gifted Lady (5): Mark Hennig has had a terrific past few months and a majority of his wins have come with first time starters, which is usually not his forte.

*Keep an eye on the board to see who gets bet here*

Race 10) 1ˆ Mile. (Turf) ™OC 62500b Purse $49,000 (includes $8,000 FOA – Florida Owners
Awards) FOR FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD Post Time: ( 4:34)/ 3:34/ 2:34/ 1:34

Quality Rocks (1): With a lack of speed in this race I look for jock Jose Lezcano to take them all the way from the rail, which has been a good place to be on the turf this meet. Conditioner Bill Mott has had them ready to run off the layoff at this particular meet and this one should be no different.

Excilly (9): Has just missed in both starts in the states while keeping good tough company; this is the horse to beat in the race.

Chiringuita (2): Took a real liking to the Gulfstream Park turf in her last start but will need to step up yet again to beat our top two selections.

Race 11) 1 Mile. (Turf)-G3 Sweetest Chant S. Grade III. Purse $100,000 FILLIES,
THREE YEARS OLD. Post Time: ( 5:05)/ 4:05/ 3:05/ 2:05

Tamit (2): Has done nothing wrong in only two career starts and has every reason to keep improving for a hot barn.

Rymska (7): Makes her return from the Breeders’ Cup where she had a rough trip; she is the one to beat here with a cleaner trip.

Compelled (3): Was talked about in a big way before making her debut at Saratoga and just missed first out, but has since won 2 of 3 starts and last time was super impressive winning by over 6 lengths.

Race 12) 1ˆ Mile.-G2 Lambholm South Holy Bull S. Grade II. Purse $350,000
THREE YEAR OLDS. Post Time: ( 5:35)/ 4:35/ 3:35/ 2:35

Fact Finding (1): This Pletcher trainee is 3-for-3 but a little slow on the speed figures, which should not scare you off; he already has a win over the track and Pletcher has owned these prep races over the years at Gulfstream Park.

Classic Empire (3): The odds on favorite and the one to beat coming back off his BC Juvenile win. He has reportedly been working up a storm in South Beach and is ready for a big run to the Kentucky Derby

Cavil (8): It seemed to me something went wrong when he made his first start at Gulfstream because he is clearly more talented than he showed; so we are willing to give him one more shot here.

.50 Pick-5

1,6,7 / 3,5,8 / 1,9 / 2,3,5,7 / 1,3,8 = $108