Saturday’s Recap from Gulfstream Park:
Race 1: 8th@ 24.90-1 (US)
Race 3: 2nd@5.20-1 (US)
Race 4: 6th@ 2.60-2 (US)
Race 8: 6th@ 23.30-1 (US)
Race 12: 4th@ 7.00-1 (US)
Fivefingerdiscount didn’t do much for us in Race 1, but we should’ve had Race 3 with Romario who ran blindingly fast in a winning effort last time out and this time he was inexplicably taken off the pace, then closed in while shifting inward through the stretch. In Race 4, our selection - Twice too Many had his head turned when the gates opened and that was all she wrote for our best bet as he broke behind the field and was never close thereafter. In Race 8, our tough luck continued as Swing Low broke through the starting gate and delayed the start. Once reloaded he was never a factor. In the final race of the day, Metafora was buried towards the rail, shuffled back on the turn and lacked enough kick to run down the longshot while salvaging fourth. Not the weekend we were looking for and now we want revenge.
We’re back at Gulfstream Park for Sunday’s races. We’re expecting balmy conditions with a fast main track and a firm turf course. Without further adieu:
Sunday's Picks
Gulfstream Park:
Race 5: Miss Domina - 1 pt win
Maiden Special Weight runners race 6 furlongs here on the dirt and our morning line favorite comes off a September layoff for trainer Todd Pletcher. My thought is that if this filly was any good she’d be in Keeneland or maybe up at Aqueduct. She also hesitated at the start of her only race and breaking from the rail today - that could be trouble. So I’ve spent enough time telling you why I DON’T like the favorite. Why DO I like Miss Domina? Well, for starters, George Weaver is 2 for 5 with 2 second place finishes at Gulfstream since this meet began. They paid $170,000 for this filly which is 34x her sire’s standing stud fee so there is some expectation here. A lofty 419 Tomlinson figure tells us she’s bred to be a quality runner and George Weaver works well with rider Emisial Jaramillo.
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Race 7: Blakenstein - 1 pt win
Claimers sprint 6 furlongs here and Blakenstein recently graduated the maiden ranks with a wire to wire score. That day he beat Comiskey Park who returned to win his next start by 10 lengths. Two other runners returned from that race to improve their speed figures considerably as well. This runner looks to be the controlling speed nearest the rail and will be the one they’ll have to run down.
Race 10: Don V. - 2 pts win - BEST BET
Maiden claiming turf sprinters close out the week for us and Don V. catches a pretty weak field here coming off an August layoff after only three career starts. In his only turf sprint he finished a close 4th behind two next-out winners. Trainer E. Loza wins with an impressive 42% of maiden claiming runners (sample size of 12) and wins 21% of his turf sprints. This one has had three works since March 28 and looks ready to pop the gates with top rider Paco Lopez in the irons.
Best of luck 🍀🍀🍀 to all our members playing Sunday’s races from Gulfstream Park !!