Christmas Eve at Gulfstream

Tis the season for Gulfstream Turf.  Another perplexing Stakes Saturday to don the old handicapping visor and hopefully squeeze out a positive ROI.

Gulfstream Park Race 8 {Ginger Brew~1 1/16 mile~2 year old~fillies~Stakes}
An excellent field of thirteen TURF girls will slink onto the grass for the start.  Any one of these fillies could win this one.  All are improving and run well.  This one presents with a high level of handicapping difficulty.

#10 Spirited Miss (Contreras / Casse) looks extremely capable with the third highest speed figure at this distance (over synthetic) and two robust workouts.  She should track close to the pace and then launch a spirited run in the stretch.
$2 WIN / $3 SHOW.

#6 Wholelottashakin (Solis / Bush) appears ready to have a breakout run after a ninety day freshening.  She has the second highest (tie) last out speed number, was working on a two race progression and has put together four sensational, peaking workouts.  With one of the best Turf riders, Alex Solis, in the biz, watch her track and come on strong in the stretch.
$1 PLACE / $2 SHOW.

#7 Almusafa (Lezcano / McLaughlin) will be making her second career start.  She has the third best last out speed number and has put in one diligent workout.  She is coming off a win in her maiden start.  This gal should track and improve.
$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#4 Welcome Dance (Bravo / Matz) will be the pacesetter with the second highest (tie) last out speed number, a two race progression, and two superb workouts.  She could hold on for a major piece of the purse pie.

#8 Karlovy Vary (Cruz / Arnold) could go off as the favorite with the second highest speed number at the distance and two favourable workouts.  She could sit right off the pace and cruise right into the lead in the stretch.  There is little question as to her chances of pulling off the victory.

10 CENT Superfecta

#10 Spirited Miss / #6 Wholelottashakin / #7 Almusafa / #4 Welcome Dance, #8 Karlovy Vary.



Friday's Results
Hawthorne Race Course R8.  Our first pick, Champion Kid, won (1st) for show money of $3.60.  Our second pick, Unorthodox, finished 2nd for show money of $3.80.
Superfecta went 4-2-3-10.
Bankroll bolts to $29.10.

A Derby Prep Saturday

We are getting closer to the Kentucky Derby.  Today we look at two top notch Derby prep races.

Fairgrounds Race 10 {Louisianna Derby~G2~1 1/8 mile~3 year old~Stakes}
This will be a highly competitive race with all horses seeking sufficient graded earnings to make it to the gate on the first Saturday in May.  Discreetly Mine (Castellano / Pletcher) looks the best if he can control the pace that will leave him with plenty of gas in the tank for the stretch run.  He has the second highest speed number last out, a two race progression and three efficient workouts.  Will be the one to beat.  Fly Down (Lezcano / Zito) is one of four horses that have already raced at this distance.  He is 100% in the money for his three career starts, has a two race progression, and three hardy workouts.  A Little Warm (Cohen / A. Dutrow) will moving from a sprint to this route.  He has posted the highest last out speed number and two aggressive workouts in preparation for this race.  Drosselmeyer (Desormeaux / Mott) has the top speed at this distance and is also 100% in the money.  With three sturdy workouts he will be closing strongly for the victory.  Stay Put (Theriot / Margolis) will battle with the other closers in this race for a piece of the purse.  He has the best workout tab with three muscular workouts added to a five race progression.  Let's play Fairgrounds.

$2 SHOW:  #7 Discreetly Mine
$2 SHOW:  #3 Fly Down
10 CENT Superfecta:  #7 Discreetly Mine / #3 Fly Down / #5 A Little Warm / #13 Drosselmeyer, #9 Stay Put.

Turfway Race 9 {Lane's End~G2~1 1/8 mile~3 year old~Stakes}
What a fabulous race over the all weather track!  Connemara (R. Baze / Pletcher) should be able to pull off the victory.  He sports a four for four record and has trained well for this race.  He is the only horse in the field that has already notched a victory at this distance.  Dean's Kitten (C. Velasquez / Maker) looks terrific with the highest speed number last out, a four race progression, and two fine workouts.  Outlaw Man (Solis / McPeek) will surprise in this race with the second highest speed number at the distance and two sinewy workouts.  With jockey, Alex Solis in the irons he will close well.  Northern Giant (Borel / Lukas) shares the highest last out speed number with Dean's Kitten.  Northern Giant has also posted the absolute best workout tab.  He will be ready.  Letsgetitonmon (McKee / Asmussen) may also surprise here with a splendid three peaking workouts and a decent last out speed number.  This is a great group of possible Derby contenders which will make for a very heart pounding race.  Let's play Turfway.

$2 WIN / SHOW:  #1 Connemara
$2 SHOW:  #9 Dean's Kitten
10 CENT Superfecta:  #1 Connemara / #9 Dean's Kitten / #6 Outlaw Man / #7 Northern Giant, #8 Letsgetitonmon.
















Friday's Results
Fairgrounds R9.  Our first pick, Jody Slew, finished 6th.  Our second pick, Champagn d'Oro, finished 2nd for $10.60 in show money.  Superfecta went 1-10-2-3.
Bankroll rises to $31.80.