Check out our race-by-race verdicts and nap selection for Saturday's meeting at Gulfstream.
Race 1: Several drop down in class including BLESSED JOURNEY. A repeat of the latter’s earlier third in a 75K contest here should see him bang there at the finish in this company. Big Treasure is another with a shout dropping down to this level and is preferred to Punchline while Duellist has placed in this grade the last twice now though has no easy task drawn out wide for this.
Race 2: Peppi The Hunter has the form to figure but will need to be quickly away drawn out with the washing today while Transistor has the past form in tougher races but something went amiss here on his latest start. Summer Mischief was beaten a head at Tampa last time but awarded the race having been hampered while Dexter Road has bits of form that could see him in the mix. But MILLIONAIRE RUNNER was given too much ground to make up last time having won over track and trip before that and gets another chance in this.
Race 3: None of this bunch inspire confidence in a weak contest. Toonie Loonie was still beaten a long way when second here last time and Arch Flyer drops in class and can only improve from last month’s debut effort. So Dear faces her easiest task so far as she drops down in trip but a token vote goes to BELLA GIANNA, who has a high draw to contend with back on the main track though an apprentice’s 7lb allowance helps her cause.
Race 4: W W ARCHIE is going the right way judged on last month’s placed effort here and any further progress could see him off the mark. War Act is one of the more exposed but has finished in the money the last twice while it would be no surprise to see improved efforts from both Nothing For Free and Uno Baby Bird dropping down to this level.
Race 5: LITTLE BELLA has found only one too good in a couple of starts since making a winning debut over track and trip. She’s already beaten Moon Eyes, Grey Manners and Broadway Peggy and looks to have leading claims on that form. Domineer had shown consistent form until a poor effort here last time but can get involved if back to her best while De Pura Sangre won a maiden claimer here last month and can figure with any further progress.
Race 6: Kozy Dreams finished in front of Awesomenewyear and Irish Thunder when runner-up here last month and the latter had earlier finished behind Pasatime over 6f at the track. Ebony Bay should finish closer having debuted in a more valuable claimer over course and distance but this isn’t a strong maiden and the newcomer BARDOT may prove good enough to make a winning start representing Todd Pletcher’s powerful yard.
Race 7: Mystical Moon has been done no favours by the draw having won over track and trip last time while Crow Moon has the past form elsewhere to figure though hasn’t raced since October. Snap Hook came up against a progressive sort when runner-up here recently and is not out of this but IM THE CAPTAIN NOW is preferred. The latter had Roddick back in fifth when beaten only a neck in a tougher claimer here last month and Barclay Tagg’s charge is taken to go one better in this lesser company.
Race 8: Lookinlikeaqueen beat Ghostly Beauty less than a length when scoring over track and trip and that pair are hard to separate. Yolanda’s Pride won a starters race here last month and is another to consider along with Hotty Toddy but it could pay to stick with LADY PANDA. The latter continues to improve having won a straight maiden over course and distance on her latest start and looks capable of making her presence felt a this level.
Race 9: Inter Miami struggled in a stakes race on the Turf here last week but won on the main track before that. Peruvian Boy ran well for second in a more valuable contest last time and is preferred to Silvery Enough while Cigar Box landed a gamble in maiden company over track and trip on his latest start. But MOBEATYABAD lived up to his name when thrashing the opposition in a maiden race at Tampa on only his second outing and he gets the vote with more to come from him.
Race 10: A highly competitive affair with the vote going to FIRST PREMIO (NAP). He returns to action having been beaten less than a length in the Grade 1 Shadwell mile at Keeneland in October and Mark Casse’s charge looks sure to make a bold bid in this. Colonist has been gelded since last in action and is capable of getting involved at this level and so is stablemate Halladay though the latter has a wide draw to contend with. Penalty beat the latter at Saratoga last summer while Kroy showed good progress last year and Dr. Shane beat Class And Cash a neck in allowance company here in January.
Race 11: Several maiden winners step up in class including the returning Acre, who won at Saratoga in August but hasn’t raced since. That still looks stronger form than Sonneman’s victory at Belmont in October and Tomcat Black’s success at Tampa but I’LL FIGHT DEMPSEY makes most appeal. Todd Pletcher’s $300,000 colt made a winning debut when returning a clear winner here in February and looks the one to beat on that evidence.
Race 12: Yako drifted into several rivals in the homestretch before passing the post first here last time and was subsequently disqualified. She finished ahead of several of these on that occasion including Trilby but was beaten by AVENIDA MANANA here at the end of last year. The latter has landed a hat-trick since and given Bob Hess’ progressive filly has also beaten the likes of Isadorable Aida and Sweet Story, she gets the nod to continue winning ways.
