Check out our race-by-race verdicts and nap selection for Thursday's meeting at Gulfstream Park.
18.00 (All times BST) With a cracking draw in this big field, it’s difficult to look beyond NO NO NINA. Tyler Gaffalione sticks with Christophe Clement’s filly, who takes a big drop in class and is among the least exposed. Myfirstexwife has already run six times but she’s finished second over track and trip in her last two starts and the form of those races is working out. Businessindubai has shown some improvement recently but over a mile so Party Dress may offer more value for each-way purposes.
18.35 Tharos was a $275,000 yearling and Wesley Ward’s juveniles are already in the groove. Stablemate GEM THIEF was cheap by comparison at $85,000 but she may be a little more forward so gets the nod. Dayoutoftheoffice could be interesting if getting a run and others to note on breeding include Lyrical and Princess Secret. Awesome View has had the benefit of experience so could also figure.
19.09 Take Charge Again missed the break and was subsequently trapped wide when finishing half-a-length behind the fast-starting Chic And Sexy in a fillies’ claimer over 6f here last month. She can’t afford to be tardy at the gate again over this shorter trip but should reverse that form if getting away on terms and again beat Varsovia. However, we just prefer STORMY BOSS if she can recapture the form she was showing around the turn of the year with a further drop in distance unlikely to suit Miss Mac.
19.41 Caribbean Kitten is having a first run around here and she’s been allotted the outside berth but she’s placed a couple of times at Fair Grounds this year and should be thereabouts if the draw doesn’t prove too much of a disadvantage. Formula’s run here in March can be written off to inexperience and better is expected but the one to beat is probably GARNER STATE PARK. Third here on debut, Todd Pletcher’s filly improved on that when runner-up to La Viexa last month as she had to make up ground wide off the turn to lead in the straight. Veer has not improved on her first run but Missandei is worth a second look after a luckless debut when only half-a-length behind Honolua Bay.
20.13 Indian Counselor won here in February and was staying on late on Dirt last time. Digital Footprint has had a break but had been keeping good company at Aqueduct previously and Cable Channel is another who takes a slight drop in class. Blameless has also had a holiday while Bourbon Currency keeps finding one too good, though appeared to handle the big step up in trip last month. Bad Beat Brian is the only three-year-old in the line-up but has a squeak, though we’d rather take a chance on MOTATAABEQ. Michael Pino’s gelding has begun to fulfil his potential since arriving here and has been working well since last seen at the beginning of March.
20.45 CELTIC BROTHERHOOD made a promising debut over track and trip in March when attempting to make all. Caught deep in the homestretch, George Weaver’s charge can improve past Victory Town with normal progress. The latter looks the main threat despite failing to land the odds when runner-up on his latest outing as that form looks stronger in hindsight with the third horse subsequently winning. Sandys Blaze went close over 7f on his debut back in September though speed figures suggest this is a much tougher assignment while Chamberlain is worth a second glance on his return representing an in-form trainer.
21.17 Midnight Miracle found one too good yet again on her latest outing though still finished ahead of the unpredictable Royally Cool. The latter can figure if posting one of her better efforts but HEIR BALL (NAP) has the stronger form. Larry Rivelli’s consistent mare was beaten less than a length over track and trip last month and should have the measure of third-placed Fiber Optic once again. Some Say So had finished runner-up here before unseating in the stalls last time.
21.48 FOUR K’S was having her first outing since 2019 when failing to figure in allowance company. Wesley Ward’s mare will find life much easier in this lowly claimer and gets a speculative vote with most of the remainder old foes and hard to separate. Of those, Salsa Rita came out best last time beating previous winner Memorize and Nowitna River and is closely matched on earlier form with Worth Avenue and Shall Return while Gilda F is not out of this either.
22.19 Most of these have been taking each other on in similar contests with a tentative vote going the way of AUGUSTA MOON. She’s gone close the last twice now and finished in front of Sassy Justice, Champagne Horizon and Bean Counter when runner-up last time. The latter has subsequently finished second to Big Tina in a claiming race here while Lido Key is partnered by Irad Ortiz having won a maiden last time and could figure. Mike's Girl has drawn out wide and Sammie Sunshine will only race if this switches to the main track.
22.49 FLORA FANTASY has won both starts this year under Irad Ortiz and the latter keeps the partnership intact. She’s switched yard’s again after scoring a shade cosily over track and trip and the hat-trick beckons. Gioielli has a bit to find with the likely favourite but Royal Meghan finished well ahead of a below par Bion Magic when runner-up here recently and should be in the mix once again. Bow Town Cat is hard to predict but arrives on the back of a claiming success at Parx and makes most appeal fo the remainder.
23.19 A valuable prize for a maiden claimer sees plenty of these drop down in class. That includes CHAMPERS, whose form in stronger races at Santa Anita looks good enough to see him go close. Koko Star improves with every start though this is tougher than his latest task at Fair Grounds while stablemate Kitten's Clown makes his racecourse debut as does Call Bros, who is partnered by Irad Ortiz. The latter has drawn high along with Metcalf while the Pletcher-trained Riggins is preferred to Stonecastle of the reserves.
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