Check out our race-by-race verdicts and nap selection for Friday's meeting at Gulfstream.
RACE 1
Princesa Crystal was beaten only a neck here in February with Bulldat back in fourth only to disappoint on her latest start when behind third-placed LETSNOTGETOEXCITED. That was a better effort from the latter as she dropped down in class and any further progress should see her bang there at the finish. Honolua Bay is another unexposed at this level with Missandei a newcomer worthy of a second glance.
RACE 2
Flaming Hot was beaten only a nose over 6f here last month and has every chance on that form but a chance is taken on the less exposed FRONTIER MESA. The latter was having only his second outing and his first since gelded when winning a decent 50K maiden claimer last time and Kelly Breen’s charge looks up to going close at this level. Uyeda and Cat Gone Quick have won lower grade maiden claimers while both Beyond Gone and Ain’t Wasting Time drop down in class.
RACE 3
A runner-up here in December, Not Now Rand reverted back to his more usual poor form last time and Nextstop Pokipc makes more appeal back on the main track after improved efforts on the Turf course here. Newyork Giant struggled from a high draw last time and can do better but BULKCARRIER gets the vote with a couple of runs under his belt this year having gone close in a more valuable contest at the track back in August.
RACE 4
Several take a big drop in class including Voicesinthedarknez though a wide draw today fails to help his cause. Strong Ending is another facing an easier task though has something to prove over today’s mile trip and a speculative vote goes the way of THRESHOLD. Mark Casse’s colt faded in the homestretch over course and distance on his debut but the third horse has subsequently won and normal progress could see him thereabouts at the finish. Plan Of Attack looks best of the rest though he has a high draw to overcome.
RACE 5
The progressive DALARNA has plenty going for him in this. He landed a hat-trick of course wins with last month’s victory having beaten previous winner High Noon Rider the last twice and My Point Exactly back in February. He’s difficult to oppose on that form but Power Walker could go well given he’s now won three of his last five outings having scored at Tampa last time when defeating a subsequent winner. Alien Invasion found High Noon Rider too good on his latest start but had won nicely here before that.
RACE 6
Or’Office has shown enough to suggest he can win at this level though it might not be today. Todd Pletcher runs two with Ellis Island preferred to Fried Rice King having made a decent debut when third over 7f here. He looks sure to go close but CANDY MACHINE also represents powerful connections. The latter showed plenty of promise on his introduction when runner-up over 6f at the track and a bold bid is expected from Chad Brown’s colt with this extra distance likely to bring improvement. Mau Mau is an Empire Maker colt worth noting in the betting though Bill Mott’s newcomers usually improve for experience.
RACE 7
Silly Notion made a wining debut when scoring at Tampa and should be competitive at this level. Lemon Scat can figure dropping down in class and is preferred to Teacher Drama and Wicked Solution but INTEREST (NAP) looks the one to side with. She faces her easiest task so far this year having won a maiden race over track and trip back in December when last partnered by Luis Saez and can return to winning ways representing Saffie Joseph’s in-form yard.
RACE 8
OFF TOPIC will likely prove a warm order in this. Todd Pletcher’s filly competed in Graded races without success for most of 2019 but ended last year with a convincing victory in a tougher allowance race than this at Belmont and can make a winning return. The unbeaten So Cunning takes a further step up in class after scoring at Tampa while W W Fitzy won in this grade here in February and the progressive Final Cut rounded off last year with a hat-trick.
RACE 9
TAPIT TO RIDE represents Todd Pletcher’s powerful yard. She’s no stable star having placed once in four starts in straight maidens but is dropped into claiming company today and looks the one to beat. Veer is another claiming for the first time and may finish closer while Laska has bits of form at this level and Matcha will be sharper for a recent comeback run.
