Gulfstream Park Picks : Memorial Day program at Gulfstream Park will feature a $1.2 million 20-cent Rainbow 6 jackpot pool guarantee. The 12-race holiday program is scheduled to get underway at 12:45 pm.
Note: ‘Watch Out For’ selections relevant for races with fields beyond 12 entrants.
RACE 1
BEST BET: BIG BOSS LADY
Big Boss Lady finished second at this level going a mile and a sixteenth during February and is ready to win. Watch out for Ocala who drops in class here after several unsuccessful attempts. Maricopa is another to note, though the jury is out as to whether this trip suits.
WATCH FOR: BEE WINGS
Placed twice in seven starts. Finished 7l behind La Viexa when fourth of 12 at 9-1 on her latest outing at Gulfstream Park over 1m (good) last month. Tends to give her running on turf, so worth a second glance.
RACE 2
BEST BET: MA MEATLOAF
The fact Todd Pletcher has snapped her up is an encouraging enough sign for Ma Meatloaf and her recent form in better races means she looks very much the one to beat here. Blue Blue Ice has claims on her recent second, which saw Sizzling Roma one place further back.
RACE 3
BEST BET: SPINNING LADY
Bebeau was disappointing last time at the races but could fare better here. Preacher Marsee is better than he showed on the main track last time, but he was behind Spinning Kitten when they met over track and trip last month and Kathryn Davey’s gelding is taken to confirm his superiority.
WATCH FOR: MR TITO’S
Mr Tito’s came on leaps and bounds for his debut run to score last time and could build on that. A winner at 10-1 at Gulfstream Park over 1m (good) on his latest outing last month, beating Viking Plunder by a head. Did that well and is evidently on the up.
RACE 4
BEST BET: PRAIRIE WINGS
Sneer struggled on a sloppy track last time but might be better judged by his close second over track and trip in March, while Assume has been on the premises in both starts to date. Prairie Wings gets the vote as she has found only one too good on both starts to date and can open her account here.
RACE 5
BEST BET: THE GREEN MO’STER
The Green Mo’ster ran better than his finishing position suggested in a better race than this behind Temple last time, and that form reads well in the context of this heat. Vegas Kitten is another to consider on the pick of his form.
RACE 6
BEST BET: CHILL HAZE
Chill Haze will be winning a maiden claimer of this nature sooner rather than later, and gets the nod ahead of Fast Magic and Cpt. Rhett Butler. It’s important to note that No.4 Sandys Blaze finished second on debut however there has been a 254 absence which suggests he has had problems.
RACE 7
BEST BET: MS MESHAK
Ms Meshak comes into this race as the winner of six races from 5f to 7f. Finished 5l behind Varanasi when fifth of 9 at 16-5fav on her latest outing at Gulfstream over 6f last month. Well respected on the class drop which bodes well. She should have too much class for the likes of Fightress and Still Alive who’ll be up around the placings.
RACE 8
BEST BET: DONJI
Donji has won nine races from 6f to 1m 1f on firm and good ground and on the all-weather. A winner at 17-2 at Gulfstream over 1m 1f (good) on his latest outing earlier this month. Rates a big player in this race. My Point Exactly has hit the board in three consecutive turf races under allowance optional claiming conditions. The 9-time local turf winner, trained by Carlos David, is spotted perfectly. Twenty Four Seven is the winner of six races at 1m on good ground and on the all-weather and is a winning chance.
WATCH FOR: DERBY CHAMPAGNE
Winner of five races at 1m on good ground and on the all-weather. Won on his latest outing when 17-10 favourite at Gulfstream over 1m (good) last month, beating Robintakincharge by a neck. Having his first run for a new stable, previously with George Arnold II. This year’s form is strong.
RACE 9
BEST BET: JUNGLE WARRIOR
This is a fairly even race. Both Vincent William and Jettin Out are leading players as they drop in class for their seasonal debut but the lean is toward Jungle Warrior who should strip fitter for his reappearance here and has sounds claims on his form at Woodbine last year. Has the blinkers for the first time which should suit.
RACE 10
BEST BET: VALDOLOBO
The progressive Valdolobo wasn’t far off a hat-trick in a tougher C&D event last month and, with possibly more to come, he could make the most of this drop in class. P H Factor can give him plenty to think about who was beaten in a neck by Rhythmia when second of 6 at 9-2 on his latest outing at Arlington over 1m (good) in August last year. He is wearing blinkers for the first time and is a big player if fully wound up after a layoff. Souper Courage has twice been successful at 1m on good ground.
WATCH FOR: MACHIAVELLI
A winner at 1m on good ground. Beaten a neck by Outshine when second of 9 at 19-2 on his latest outing at Gulfstream over 1m (good) earlier this month. Another bold bid beckons.
RACE 11
BEST BET: ELUSIVE MOLLY
In a small field, it should allow for Elusive Molly who looms as the one to beat after two demolition jobs previously. She won on her latest outing when 4-5 favorite at Gulfstream over 1m in February, beating Just A Bit Sassy by 10l. Having her first run for a new stable.
RACE 12
BEST BET: CAPE TRIOS
Cape Trio has moved over the Mike Maker stable and has dropped slightly in class and while it’s known to be wayward with form, its best makes it a strong proposition. Trixie’s Time is dropping in class after finishing third last time at the races. The daughter of Hat Trick will certainly be up around the place getters at the point end of the race. True Heiress will be looking to make it back-to-back wins and surprised everybody last time out, barnstorming home to win in similar-classed company.
