Gulfstream Park Racing Journal December 19, 2020

 Race 1 MDN CLM 20k 7 1/2F

Summary. A mixed bag with about half no chance shots while the other half all have reasons to step up, but arent certain to do so. Likely a good race to get a price on something that takes unusual money and/or looks great parading and warming up. Tough race to make just one horse on paper, which makes it a good chance to make money if you can pick 3 or 4 price horses and get one of them to come through.

1 Gran Patron by Poseidons Warrior, who is by Speightstown, and like him, throws many who are very fast for as long as they can last, and somewhat tough relatively speaking if they get their own way, this one makes his 4th life start and 2nd of this meet, and has showed little to date in terms of overall speed. He will go longer today and try the turf for the first time. He will be a big longshot and actually rises in class slightly to get on the turf. I suppose they are just trying him out to see if the distance and surface change will help. I will wait to see if they do. Looks like wild stabs in the dark to me and a class adjustment to Tampa is the more likely elixer he will need to be competitive. He was an early scratch. 

2 Capture the Crown by Uncaptured, makes his 5th life start, the 3rd this year after a long gap of more than a year after his first two starts last year. He will go shorter here, but as his speed overall so far has been subpar, even for a group like this, and the best he has managed is 7th in his debut last year, and two 9ths in his return this year, I can't use him without seeing something positive first. Massive longshot.

3 Rey de Ligas bred in Chile but not raced there, has had two tries at this circuit, neither impressive. He was 3rd of 4 in a MSW taken off the turf which decimated the field size, the 4th one was no runner at all, the top 2 distanced this guy. He followed that up with a 4th place finish last time, and a much higher speed figure which certainly plays with this bunch. That was on the turf, and he comes back on that surface today and goes longer, obviously his intended surface and distance. His trainer seems to get them to run and thus, he is a player in here. He also cuts his tag from 35k to 20k. I suspect that based on his breeding, he is going to try and wire them. I'm not certain he can get the entire distance, but he will likely try. 

4 Treasure Run by Treasure Beach, so bred for the turf, has had 13 tries and has yet to make the ticket, while running so so speed figures for this type of group. He will cut back slightly here. His trainer is a very low percentage winner, but he does occasionally bring in some crazy longshots in races like this. That has to be considered in a field like this of cheap horses.

5 Call Bros by Sky Mesa is a homebred making his 8th start and is the ML favorite. He has several factors in his favor, being that he gets Paco Lopez, has been 2nd and 3rd in his last two and his speed figures are consistently faster than most of these. Yet, he is a 7 time maiden, so, like many Sky Mesa's, he knows how to get beat near the line when he should not. One might argue he could earn a good buck this meet by being 2nd 3 times and then waiting to break his maiden near the end of the meet when the big players go elsewhere so he is viable at the next level against the locals next summer in short fields filled with pretenders. One could argue that. i will be that one to argue that. Take note that he ran an unbelievable speed figure in his first lifetime start, then a horrid one in his 2nd start, and since, they have kept him even, but not good enough to graduate. That one bad effort was his only try on dirt, so he is one dimensional as well, just another reason to keep him the bridesmaid a while longer.

6 Realtor Danny D by Big Drama, a late starting 3yo this year, making his 2nd start, after debuting this year at the end of the GPW meet after racing 3 times last year then shutting down almost a year. This will be his 5th life start, and he showed some promise before shut down. Is he ready to pop today? That's the question, as his previous speed would likely make him a major player here. Big Drama's seem to just pop at odds after a few mediocre starts and if he follows that pattern, today or next time is likely the time to play for that. He sprinted last time for 12.5k, but goes much longer today and jacks his claiming tag up to 20k, so his price will be good if you are playing him. I want to see how he appears in the flesh, but he is a useful add if you are going against CallBros. He has enough speed to beat him if he is fit and ready. He was a short price last time on his return and while 8th, he wasnt beat a long way. Watch the betting pattern on him. He gets Panici, who brings in a lot of longshots like this.

7 Jupiter Blues by Astrology, who is by A P Indy, has been off more than a year, and goes for his trainer owner who brings in some crazy longshots you dont see coming. This one will drop from 50k last year and start out at 20k, going on the turf, which was the intention last year but the race was taken off the turf, he went to the lead as a big longshot, then backed away sharply enough to get a 0 speed figure, and now retools a year later. One to look at is he is yet another in this race who could turn the car around just like that and get off at the win exit. Or he could be way up the track. He is just that type. He will be a first time gelding today on his return. 

8 Sierra Cat a 5yo by Factum, who is by Storm Cat and was a European runner imported here but did no good at all and only made 23k in his life, this one makes only his 4th life start for a trainer I dont know at all. He is a homebred who only started his career this year, so something probably happened when he was younger training down. He shows nothing so far to indicate he can run with the better ones in here. I have to see something positive. Lets see him compete and then he can be considered. If he blows up the tote board today at 80-1, I will miss the party this time.

9 Big Perm by Noble Mission, so bred for the turf, and thus he has been scratched a lot this summer and fall because of all the off the turf racing. This will be his second start of the meet, so he comes back on a two week rotation, got slightly shorter after finishing 3rd last time for this claiming tag. Clearly the connections feel they have a beat on him. He is a decent mid level claiming horse at about a mile on the turf. He raced at Monmouth all summer before shipping here and being scratched out many times, and was forced onto the dirt a few times there. Last time he got what he wanted, and produced his best life speed figure by far, one that blows this field away if he can duplicate that. As a 7 time maiden, that is in question, but just off his last race, he is the likely favorite or co favorite. Hard not to use him, but I wouldn't take a very short price. Noble Missions seem to lack a little grit in the stretch from my experience, even though they are fast and legit otherwise. 

10 Jealous Eyes by Will Take Charge goes shorter here, after shipping in last time from Keeneland and getting a new trainer for the same owner. That was a huge class drop but this time he stays at the same class level for a sharp trainer who bring in quite a few price winners as she tinkers with ones just like this. He took quite a bit of money last time, being a 10-1 ML but going off at 5-1 with one late hit, but ending up 9th nonetheless. He comes back on two weeks this time and keeps the same jockey, who is a high end jockey with this type of horse. While 9th, his speed figure is good enough to beat most of these if not all of them. He is a price option if he takes less money this time due to the finish last time. 

11 Future Prince by Amiras Prince,who is a European turf bred but low profile type, and has sired a few okay runners, this one makes start number 9 and will be a massive longshot. He has yet to make the top 4 in his career, 7th in his last 4 starts, and gets the outside post this time on top of that. He switches from sprint to route here but stays on turf. I can't see him off the current variables.

Race 3 MDN CLM 16k 6F

Summary. Several who are capable, but inconsistent and may or may not show up. That kind of cheap maiden claimer race. Wouldn't be afraid to take a price or a flyer one of the others if they gave me reason to do that. 

1 Pa Encima a fts by Bodemeister, didnt sell well as a yearling and shows so so ok mediocre works, thus debuts for 16k and will have to be seen. Likely a watch, wait and pass today.

2 Cobb by Brethren, an Arindel homebred who gets a new trainer today. He got 2nd last time in his 7th lifetime start, and being a 2yo who started the first week of May, has been going a long time. He has suspect variables. He figures on paper, but he did last time too when he didnt get it done at 2-1. He looks like a good one to go against if he is the post time fave. They have given up the MSW chase, but he still arrives a maiden after two tries at claimers. 

3 True Identity by Commissioner, makes start number 7 for his trainer owner and his second of the meet. He will go shorter here and perhaps that will help as his speed figures are less than inspiring. He shows a 2nd and 3rd with better speed figures in the previous two. I guess he is possible if he turns it around and the distance cut back helps him finish. Shot.

4 Exxtop by Exagerrator, a homebred makes his 4th life start. He comes off two 2nd place finishes with similar speed figures which play with this bunch. Obviously a logical paper contender. Likely many in here, he will go slightly shorter. His trainer is high percentage. If he passes the walking ring and post parade inspection, he is tough to go against at a short price.

5 Sidarth by Temple City, who sires a lot of good turf runners, but seems to do okay enough with dirt runners, runs for the 5th shortens up for the 2nd consecutive race and has run okay overall, but not a wow type. His best speed figure, two back when he finished 2nd would do with these. Much like many in here, whomever shows up today and has the better day is the probable winner. Many of these are variable in terms of when they show up or dont. 

6 Master of Disaster by Khozan, another making start 5, making no change in terms of variables, runs about the same speed figures as the others and was 2nd two back. Very similar to the one above. He has a longshot jockey and a trainer who brought in a longshot bomb the other day. Value play on all that, but not one you would have confidence in as a single horse to play by himself in this race. In his favor is that he raced his first two races at MSW, and he clearly is not that quality, so this is really his 3rd start where he can be considered as a viable option, and thus, he is one 2nd out of 2 legit starts, while others have had more chances with these types. 

7 Royal Meeting by Uncaptured, makes his 6th life start. He also has a Rahy dam, which is a strike against him in my book as he tends to stamp them as hangers. He has a similar profile to the two above, same amount of starts, 2nd two back, lots of chances but cant seal the deal, so so claimer type. Based on his breeding, he is the one I would toss of that trio.

8 Jr Speed a sts by Speightster, goes longer and drops in class, and thus, he has promise relative to some of the others in this race, and goes for a trainer who can make them go. He will need to improve, but he has room to and bears watching in the post parade and on the betting board. That will decide for me if he is to be used as one of many in here. He sold for 85k as a yearling, but was dumped off for 12k as a 2yo. That isnt good, but he is in for 16k, so maybe he has found the sweet spot. 

9 Little Dude by Tapiture out of a Harlans Holiday dam, he has hang written all over him. Also a very similar profile to some above, 5 starts, mediocre results, goes slightly shorter here, and similar, inconsistent speed figures. I suppose he is a protection add, but terrible value if he goes off 4-1 or less.

10 Captain Kirk a fts by Conveyance, who is by Indian Charlie out of a Holy Bull dam, won some minor stakes and was 15th in the Derby. He will have to be seen to assess what he can do. He shows a fast and improved work two weeks ago. If he takes money based on that, he is one to add in a minor way on the chance he has more and many of these revert to the bad day part of their Sybil personality. 

11 Globaltroublecoco by Global Response who is by A P Indy out of an Elusive Quality dam, shows many of the bad attitude traits of Elusive Quality and in fact has caused trouble in many races, dumping her rider last time. 7 starts, no top 3 finishes and a bad post. She can consider herself tossed. 

Race 4 MDN CLM 25k 1m

Summary. This race was not handicapped as I didnt have enough time to get to it. A good lesson. If you cant do it right, just pass the race. There will always be more races but if you bet races you shouldn't and lose, you have to win that money back to just get even, which makes no sense. 

Race 11 Maiden Special Weight 1m

Summary. 10 horse field, 4 first time starters with top pedigrees and connections, and the balance are split between 2nd time starters and an equal amount with slightly more starts, all shippers and many changing distance and three changing surface. A tough one that mostly you will need to see them on the track to delete a few and make the race playable if you can go against the favorite. That is probably going to be the 4th time starter from the outside going for Pletcher with a hall of fame jockey on top. Likely to be overbet, but not for sure one to go against. 

1 Girl Dad by Malibu Moon and purchased for 125k at the 2yo in training sale in March, the most experienced of the bunch with 4 starts under his belt, and two on the board finishes out of those 4 starts. He ships in from New York, 3 weeks ago being 2nd there and 3rd before that. He has progressed nicely and will cut back to a mile today. Obvious contender who might bring a decent price due to the high profile of many in here. He worked a light trip last Saturday, similar to how he prepped for his last start to keep him fit for this race. 

3 Kentucky Pharoah by American Pharoah, makes his 3rd start as a homebred for Calumet. His dam won a million bucks and a couple of nice high end stakes in Canada, and placed in many others. He seems to be progressing nicely as he upped his speed figure in start 2 in Kentucky and now winters down here, I'm sure in the hope he is a Florida Derby type or better. Lets see what he can do in this seemingly tough and deep field. Some of the A Pharoah's are goofs, bad actors and dont run straight, so that is something to look for. Not all though. He throws a wide variety of types. His dam has a turf pedigree and he gets on the turf for the first time today. That is something to consider.

4 He'spuregold by Vancouver, an Aussie bred who has two in this race, This guy has a very strong Turf pedigree and is a homebred sent out by top trainer Nihei, coming off a 3rd in the debut in Kentucky with an impressive speed figure for a fts. He will come right back, same distance and surface while shipping for the winter. Big shot on paper. Big ML and he might slip through the cracks at the window if that ML holds. 

5 Ultimate Gift a fts by Pioneerof The Nile, one of two starters in this race for Pletcher, and very high end connections who paid 350k for him, but has not shown great speed training so far, not relative to many of these. 4-1 ML, but likely to go off closer to 8-1 or even a bit higher. I'm likely to exclude him and include the 4 in his place.

6 Not Stormy a sts by Got Stormy who sold for 11k as a yearling, so obviously, he is the low profile horse in this bunch. There might be times this winter if he sticks around he catches much softer fields than he meets here, but today is not that day. He ships in from Belmont, his only start in October and goes longer here, off a speed figure that isnt anywhere near the ballpark with this bunch to hit the ticket, he would have to show vast improvement to be competitive. I will pass on him today and watch him for a better spot to see if he is the type that will do that day or a bad favorite on maybe a class drop.

7 Advanced Placement by Point of Entry, fts who shows mediocre works at best, he will have to be seen. Off those works and his pedigree, he is overmatched here. Being a homebred, I'm sure the long game is in play here and he could be 3 starts away from being a win candidate.

8 Van Dusen a fts by Vancouver, this guy has been sold 3 times, as a weanling, then again for a small or no profit at 115k as a yearling, then sold off for 20k as a 2yo. None of that is encouraging. In spite of all that, he has worked well prepping for these and a bullet sharp 3f workout on Sunday, yet he will go long to start his career. Seems like a prep race for a try in a turf sprint, for possibly a 32k claiming tag down the road. He will be watched today with that in mind.

9 Public Information a sts for Chad Brown by Into Mischief and his top owner, his dam was 2nd in her debut, then won the next start in a MSW, so she was ready early then only made 4 more life starts, chasing stakes horses and being a mid pack type. The connections paid 400k for him based on his pedigree I would think and he switches to turf and goes longer after finishing 8th at Keeneland in his debut. He is the 3-1 ML here and if he were to go off as favorite, he would be a bad favorite, win or lose. HIs speed figure in race 1 doesnt stack up with many of these. He will simply be bet on his sale price and connections. 

10 Courageously a fts for Casse and Oxley who they paid 625k for as a yearling. He is by Quality Road. His dam by Empire Maker made 200k, raced a long time and won some minor stakes at Charles Town and Ellis Park. He could be anything, but right now, he is just a yearling with a big ticket hanging over his head. His works leading up to this start are fast enough to suggest he can compete if he is mature enough to do that. Lets see how he looks and acts pre race. On the fence on him.

11 Munqad by War Front, a homebred and Pletcher's other one in here, will accept the outer post and makes start 4. He seems on the edges so far, not horrible though, and ships in from Keeneland. Pletcher sometimes takes his time with the big time homebred types, as he knows those owners will wait if the horse is projected to be worth it. Thus, he hasnt tagged him yet, he will try him shorter and on turf today. Wide open race and he is just another who will have to step up to beat what looks like a deep and tough crew of prospects.

Cool horse names

Shes One Mad Momma

Diamond Oops

Gulfstream Park Racing Journal December 18, 2020

 Race 1 MDN CLM  35 7 1/2F

Summary. There are several good options here, with many fts of which one is going to be the likely favorite off suspect workouts for a top trainer who, through no fault of his own, has his horses overbet most of the time. A good race to go deep and cover all bases. No shippers but a lot of class droppers.

1 Sip'n Dip a fts by Wicked Tune, who is by Cocordes Tune, and was a decent racehorse, is a homebred who has worked just okay and likely needs a start or two to get used to racing. Lets see how she stacks up for 35k. Breaking from the inside is also a problem for a young inexperienced filly like this.

2 Dreaming of Audrey a homebred sts by Field Commission, who is by Service Stripe, who is by Deputy Minister makes her 2nd start and drops out of MSW. She took no money first out and her longshot jockey sticks here on the class drop. She was the longest shot on the board that day, off last, made a late run in the stretch but couldnt get to the top pack. Clearly, with more experience and easier competition, she should be a player in with these.

3 Lullula a fts by Flintshire, so bred for the turf. She shows some very fast works, and if she can run farther in a race like this and carry that, which her sire was known for, she is a big player. She will have to be seen though for manners and composure.

4 La Dame a fts by Karakontie, who is by Bernstien and was good right off the bat, this one was bred by Marylou Whitney, has worked every week for 2 months and shows steady, unspectacular speed. Perhaps she is a grinding type that does well going longer. Tote money likely tells the tale of her chances today. She blistered 3f early in her training, but they chose to aim her longer and not sprint, thus you would expect she has one burst late if she is in striking distance. Shot.

5 Katiesdreamgirl by Young Brian, a son of Hard Spun who made one lifetime start, a win, then disappeared after they turned down 500k for him as a 2yo. This one makes her 4th lifetime start, and if she shows her sires speed, which was very good in that one and only start, she can be a player here. She improved slightly on that from start 2 to 3, and got 2nd then. She will drop in class here from 40k to 35k and go shorter and makes her 2nd start on turf. The kind of fine tune adjustments you would expect from a sharp trainer like Nicks. She has been off since just before Labor Day, and worked steady and even suggesting she is already fit enough that she doesnt need to be drilled. Due to her sires short career and her layoff, she will have to be seen to make sure its not some soreness or soundness issue. If not, she is a top contender with a lot of fts who lack her experience and form.

6 Goodbye Carolina a fts by Uncle Vinny, who is by Uncle Mo and was a so so racehorse making 225k, broke his maiden in his first start and then won the Sanford at 2, but didnt really go forward after that. This filly is a homebred who shows two very unimpressive works so far. She will have to be seen, but on paper looks like a longshot with a lot of work to do to become a viable racehorse.

7 Short Circuit by Street Boss, a sts who drops in class and goes longer. Her dam was unraced, but she has had two turf winners from her two foals She certainly looked the part in the post parade and took heavy money along the entire cycle. She broke okay, but was pinballed hard and squeezed, and was well back.She made some decent attempts to catch up, then carried wide and bumped a shade in the turn, and again in the stretch, but was even or flat late. The type of effort to go forward off of and if her 12-1 ML is close to what you get today, she is good value 2nd out on the class drop.

8 Smarty Queen by Honor Code, who was a late runner and a good one when he did that, and this filly out of a Hard Spun dam, makes her 3rd life start. She improved her speed figure from start 1 to 2 and its a bit better than the other contenders who have run before in this race. Hence, she is the top pick of most of the track handicappers. She was 2nd going for 40k last time at 19-1, but you wont see those odds today, and she cuts back slightly. She took some money hits that day, indicating somone or many thought she was going to outrun her post time odds, which she did. She paraded on her toes, but very managable, loaded well, broke sharp and to the lead, held that lead the entire way while being pressured by another who faded, but was picked up deep stretch by one who tripped out. As she cuts back today, it looks as though while that is a small cutback, its where she seems to lose some energy, so a wise move by an old pro trainer. Big chance today.

9 My Miss Miracle a fts for Pletcher who gets Saez, she was a 190k yearling by Kantharos out of a million dollar winning dam, and thus, the connections dont get any higher end than this one. Because of that, she is the ML choice and will likely go off in the 2-1 range as the chalk. She has worked just okay along the way, but her last two from the gate were not very good strictly on time. She will have to be seen, but likely bad value as a favorite if that is where she lands.

10 Tequa by Dialed In, already a 6 time starter in a field with a lot of firsters, many sts and a few with slightly more expience, has had her chances. However all of those chances were at MSW, and they abort that today, along with putting her on the turf again, for which she was 2nd going 5f on debut and 5th going a mile, both at MSW. Since it rained off many turf races the last couple of months, she was forced onto the dirt, and now she gets back on the intended surface, goes slightly shorter and uses the class drop angle. All of that will get her some tote money, and the issue is probably she has some leavers inside her and she has an outer post. That should keep the price high enough to make her a value use in this spot. Her first life race on the turf produced a speed figure far above this entire field to date. She is capable if things go her way.

11 Rouway a fts by Gone Astray, a homebred with 2 okay works but starts from an outer post and is 30-1 ML. Unless she takes unusual money here, I will wait and watch one from her. Her dam wasnt a great money earner, but showed high speed ratings relative to a group like this. She has potential if she can run like that, likely next time though.

12 Honorary Guest a sts by Tapizar and out of a Giants Causeway dam, will get the far outside post. Top trainer Breen drops her in class, switches her to turf and asks her to go longer here for high end owners the West's. I'd say he is building to a possible win, but not in this spot. She isn't impossible, but up against it to take the entire field down from this starting spot when there are many options inside of her. 

Race 2 MDN CLM  12.5 1m

Summary. Many who have had a lot of chances, and one who hasnt who will be a heavy favorite shipping in. If that one bombs out, and he looks like a ticking time bomb, anything else pays well and some longer than others who could be considered value relatively speaking.

1 Majority Rules a 4yo by Tiznow, makes start number 9. He seemed to have some promise last year, when he ran 2 good races at Saratoga and Belmont, high speed figure races where he was 2nd, then tailed off the next time and missed almost a year when he showed up at Keeneland and ran poorly, Then he shipped to Florida, started to pick it up again, but his last two have been bad. This will be his 2nd start for new connections and they raise him up slightly in class, although he has beaten far better before when he runs to his ability and potential. Last time, for the new connections, he paraded ok, loaded well, broke slow but not bad, was way back, did little and was well back of the top 3, splitting horses late to just nab 4th with a very suspect group. He's not hopeless in a field like this, but he will have to step it back up.

2 Elbrus by Malibu Moon, was a 200k yearling then dumped off for 15k at a 2yo sale. That says a lot about how he was training down. In start number 5 last time, he tried the turf, but to no avail as he was the same as always, a plodding grinder who runs mid pack and does little. Back to dirt today. Going slightly longer. He is probably good for 4th or 5th money again, but cant be recommended for better than that. 

3 Old Main by Lookin At Lucky, also makes start number 6. He is the 2nd ML choice and played that way by most of the track handicappers. He comes out of the same race as the 1 horse, but this guy was a solid 2nd, while not a threat to the easy winner, and has decent steady form. He is possible if the chalk doesnt produce. Hopefully his price stays up there on the overbet of the favorite.

4 Express Boy by Orb, is a 13 time loser going longer. I cant see him in this field with viable options. Acacia takes him on top and I will listen to her reasons to see if she can sway me. His two best speed figures in the summer beat this bunch, but that was 5 bad starts ago now. 

5 Meteorito by Gone Astray, makes start number 4, goes longer and comes off the turf. He has two 9ths and a 4th, is 30-1 ML, and unless he takes unusual money or wows me in the post parade, I cant see him. He was off an entire year before his last start, so perhaps you could argue he wasnt fit yet. That's some kind of bullshit reason I guess. Bullshit excuse reason horses sometimes win races like this. He was cold on the board then. If he were to take some kind of unusual money here, I could be tempted to add him on the protection angle.

6 Ultraconfident by Cross Traffic, has seen the gate 12 times thus far. He has one 3rd place finish out of all that in his 2nd life start. If I was crossing traffic riding him, I wouldnt feel very confident he would get me safely to the sidewalk in time. He is another going longer and coming off the turf and is 30-1 in the hopes that something from the kitchen sink approach shakes him into being a viable racehorse before he heads for a 4 claimer at Charlestown at the end of this meet .....or sooner. His last 2 speed figures wouldnt get him on the high 5 with this bunch.

7 I Got a Secret by Strong Mandate, who is by Tiznow out of a Deputy Minister dam, is a 2nd time starter shipping in from Belmont and dropping, no diving from 40k to 12.5k rather quickly in his career. Deputy Ministers are tough customers like he was, but also prone to the chronic lameness he had. This one will have to be seen to see which of those he most resembles. He should blow this group away, and 2-5 at post time is not out of the question. And questions this one certainly has. The question is what secret is the actual fact.......overally lame and going to detoriorate, or diving down to smoke this bunch before that happens. That is the call that has to be made her and what this race hinges on. Generally, in my experience, horses that debut for 40k and get 3rd dont drop in value by 70 percent unless their racing days are numbered. Doesnt mean he cant win, but it means he is no cinch. His dam broke her maiden at Gulfstream on the extreme class drop, then ended her career shortly after with two claiming wins at Turfway and was bred shortly after. Did this guy drop just in time too?

8 Liquid Louie by Old Forester, an ontario bred who makes start number 10 for a trainer who ships here every winter, drops, changes surfaces and will go shorter as the 3rd ML choice. In reality, he ran for 14k Canadian last time, which is less than 12.5 American. But he did get 4th and 2nd before that. He is possible if the fave totally bombs out and the others dont step up. He is an attrition add.

Race 7 Maiden Special Weight 1m

Summary. Short field, but deep. Post parade and tote betting will give indications if this race is a pass or play. Likely a pass on first glance. 

1 Well Done West is a sts by Awesome Again. He ships in from Keeneland for trainer Gargan, goes longer and moves up to MSW from a maiden claimer. Therefore, the connections probably like him or want to protect their investment until they can figure him out. He was 3rd that day and ran an impressive speed figure for a first out starter.

2 Emperador by Curlin for trainer Brown, makes his 3rd life start here. He is the 2-1 ML choice here after running 3rd and 4th in the first two tries. His speed figures are similar to the rail horse. Being a homebred, they appear to have waited on him. He has worked twice since down in Florida, the 2nd one on Sunday much sharper than before. He will go shorter here. I suspect them to send him.

3 No More Business by Itsmyluckyday, makes his 3rd start and goes longer. He has been off since Labor Day and only 4th and 5th so far this summer against softer than he would likely meet in the winter when the big time trainers like Gargan and Brown bring the high end ones with potential futures. Hard to like based on all that and he is the 12-1 ML because of all that. 

4 Emperor Ofthe Nile is a fts for Breen by Pioneerof The Nile. He was a 400k yearling but now debuts two weeks short of his 4th birthday. His works are mediocre for a MSW runner and he meets some who have raced and done okay so far. Unless he takes money, he is one to pass on and watch to see what he has to offer.

6 Noble Empire by Empire Maker, for Pletcher, he has made 5 life starts, but only 1 this year. His last start was in January at Tampa, where he finished 2nd and ran a huge speed figure, one that towers over this group, but then on the shelf until now. I'm sure there is a story as to why that is. I want to see how he looks. If he is right, he blows these away. If. He works steady like he is a sound horse, so maybe it was something else. 

In case you are interested

Cool names today

Hushed Hijinks 

Gulfstream Park Racing Journal December 17, 2020

 Race 1 MDN CLM  25   6 1/2F

Summary. Both of the likely favorites are okay but suspect. One might be a one paced hanger, the other a no good class dropper who has to go much lower. All of the others have reasons to suspect any one of them could be the one that turns it around today. Other than the fts and the rail horse, the balance of the field goes longer, and longer usually means something comes late when others are fading or tiring. Post parade and betting action key here.

1 Pretty Rachel by Dominus, who is by Smart Strike, has made 4 starts to date, is the 2nd ML choice but the top choice of the track handicappers except for one, who picks her 3rd. She has been 2nd in 3 of those starts, and finished 5th in the other when she was jacked up to 50k from 25k and asked to go a shade longer. She rebounded last time on the drop back down and cut back to this distance. Last time was first time Zayas, and he sticks here. She ran a solid steady 2nd last time but never looked like she was a threat to the winner although she was well in range of her. More than that, her main habit or trait seems to be she can break sharp, but then immediately runs one speed the entire way, which means if she gives the leader enough of a lead, she wont be able to go by unless that one collapses. Thus, she is a vulnerable favorite if you can find one who fits the bill. 

2 We Bless Luck by Union Rags, is a sts who was 10th on debut, but now switches to dirt, drops in class and goes longer in the hopes one or more of those changes helps her out. She drops from 40k to 25k here and gets a new jockey. In that first start, she was well composed, behaved and acted like a decent enough horse, but then broke slow enough to be well back, and never got involved. She didnt quit either and while 10th, she was not well distanced and keeping up with the back pack. She isnt impossible here with all the changes and some experience. Since that race she has worked well twice from the gate and two other works were okay too.

3 Never My Love by Gone Astray, a sts for Jane Cibelli who goes longer and takes a class drop here. She cuts her tag in half, and goes a shade longer, something Cibelli does very well is making very subtle distance changes with good results. She took periodic steady hits of money last time but only ran 4th. Her female lineage is horrendous. Her dam never ran, her 2nd dam ran 4 times but was no good and her 3rd dam won 1 race out of 4 and made 14k. I'm sure they wont hesistate to keep diving her in price if she doesnt produce quickly. That doesnt mean she cant run today, but its a factor to think about. She gets a switch to Paco today, and the combo of Paco and Cibelli is very potent as a rule. She was very green first time out parading, but then settled and is a very nice mover and looks racehorse fit and tight warming up. She certainly looks the part of a runner. She is a price contender here if that comes. I'd probably need 4-1 to 5-1 to use her. 

4 Peachy Queen the 2-1 ML choice sent out by top trainer Gargan is by Runhappy, whose runners have been very unimpressive to date. This will be her 4th life start, as she drops out of MSW at Keeneland where she finished 10th of 10 and keeps the same jockey. Being a shipper, class dropper and changing distance, that added to the jockey and trainer in this case, she will take heavy money. She looks like a bad favorite if she plays out that way. Her connections paid 180k for her but based on her form and horrid speed figures, she looks more like a 16k type, if that. She will have to show a lot more to get my vote.

5 Bourma is a Maryland bred fts by Bourbon Courage, who is by Lion Heart, the sire of Kantharos and Uncaptured among others, and thus, has a license to be very tough when it comes to decide who wins at the wire. Bourbon Courage broke his maiden in his first life start with a very high speed figure for a maiden, won the Super Derby and was 4th in the Breeders Cup Sprint. Her dam is by Smarty Jones, a horse that only lost once in his career and was nearly a Triple Crown winner, and her dam won 100k and 4 races, breaking her maiden in her 2nd life start. In spite of all that, this filly only sold for 1500 in a mixed sale.  Her works are steady but unspectacular, although she did show decent speed in the 3 furlong work. She is the only fts in the field and could be the sleeper if she is ready to run and some of the higher profile faves dont run well with the class drop angle. 

6 Lady Jae by Big Drama, a local sire who sends out a lot of winners, but mostly ones who lose as faves and win as longer shots, makes her 3rd life start. She is a homebred who improved a bit start 1 to 2, going slightly longer and she goes slightly longer again. She is a viable proposition here as a value play if she is ignored and goes off near or above her ML quote. She broke slow in her first start and didnt run well, and was very unsettled and jumpy parading in her last start. Hopefully she shows some maturity this time and that will likely have to be the case to put her in play for the win. She is very much one paced, so more distance might help her in this case. 

7 Lady Tapatia by Laoban, who is by Uncle Mo and won one life race but ran in the Preakness as a maiden and won the Jim Dandy after that. She makes start number 3 and ships in from Tampa after making two MSW starts in the summer, finishing 3rd in the 2nd one and improving her speed figure vastly to a level that probably beats these. She will go longer here for her return while she drops into a lower end claimer. The layoff is concerning, but she will have to be seen. Likely a player and viable as many in here are. She gets a longshot jockey in Reyes, so that is something to take note of.

8 One Night Stand a homebred daughter of Macho Uno for the combo of trainer and owner, she will go slightly longer here after finishing 10th in her 2nd life start, and thus drops into a lower level claimer looking for level competition. It looks like they simply aimed too high with her and took her ambition away, and they aim to rectify that here coming off 2 months rest but steady works. She has broken terrible both times she has raced and given herself no chance. These types sometimes click in and once they get out clean and near the front pack, they pick it up. Yet another with some reasons to think she can turn it around on a dime.

Race 3 MDN CLM  35 5F 

Summary. One 4yo who is 30-1 ML, two fts who are both 15-1 and the rest of which none really stand out from the other. Two likely favorites with big question marks and others who have reasons to think they can run big today. The value spread has to be right, but if it is, its a playable race.

1 Emperor's Song is a homebred coming off a long layoff and making life start number 5, by Empire Way, who is by Empire Maker out of the great mare Delta Princess, but wasnt much of a racehorse himself. She last ran December 15th of 2019, so is now one year away. On that day, she ran 7f on the dirt for 12.5 claiming pressed the pace and tired and was vanned off. Thus, she comes back now, goes shorter, switches surface and jacks her claiming tag way up. She is the definition of a wildcard factor. She also has a newer, higher profile trainer. She has to be seen.

2 Princess Merida by Hunters Bay, the only 4yo in the field, with horrid form, a new trainer but same owner who was the trainer, and jacks her claiming tag up while she was overmatched lower. This combo had one like that yesterday, and it ran okay, but was no threat to the contenders. I will pass and watch this one. Maybe she improves and moves back down to the bottom with a shot to win a race. First she has to show something.

3 Sassy Cat by Creative Cause, the second runner for the trainer, as she also sends out the rail horse. Same owner breeder as well. This one however looks more viable or at least promising. This will be her 4th life start, and she missed more than a year before her last start, but now dives out of MSW into this claiming race, shortens up, drops in class and switches surfaces. All of those things should help, as she should be fitter, looks like a front end sprinter type and actually was on the lead to about 4 furlongs last time until she stopped badly right at 5f, and has a strong turf pedigree being by a son of Giants Causeway and a her dam is by Medalia Doro, who is by El Prado. Add in the class drop, and she is likely a player in here who may last the entire way, but tries to in any event. 

4 McAllens Music a fts by Macleans Music was only a 9k yearling and makes her debut 2 weeks short of her 4th birthday. Her works are slow and unless she takes a lot of tote money, I cant see her first start. She will have to show what she has. 

5 Shoug is a 3yo by Khozan who has been off since last January, which was only her 2nd life start. She was 3rd in a MSW that day at this distance on this surface and took significant betting money. And now its almost a year later, and she is back, in a claimer. She has worked 6 times heading into this race, and her speed figure in her last start makes her the best one if she can come back to that. Big if. Lets see what she looks like on the track. She has question marks as she is likely a short price.

6 Imhavinaverygooday is a fts by Shackleford who picks up a bug rider on debut. She was a 50k yearling. She worked 9 times at 2 in New York but never raced, as she is apparently a terrible workout runner, and 8 times at Gulfstream this year leading into this race, with similar results, barring one strong 3f work. At which point she was asked to go longer, and began to regress again. Who knows what she has? I'm inclined to pass on her and see if she can run 5f at race speed and then find a level. Interesting they didnt start her out at the lowest claiming level, as she would be unlikely to get claimed anyway. She has worked 17 times on dirt, never on turf, but starts her career on the turf. Strangest training regimen I've ever seen. The current trainer however has good numbers in terms of per start earnings and win percentage. 

7 Princess Coro by Cairo Prince, is the ML choice, and has made the most starts in this group at 8. She switches to turf, after a few starts on dirt, and tried the turf twice in the summer but at MSW level. She goes a furlong shorter here, but rises in class from 25k to 35k. If she is indeed the favorite, she is a bad value favorite. She went off the favorite last time, but was 2nd. She might be the type that does a lot of that and ends the meet making money but 0 for 12 lifetime. She had every chance last time, but while she ran straight, she just hangs and wont go by, despite very heavy urging from the jockey. 

8 Drawntomunny by Munnings out of a Ghostzapper mare, should be a good turf sprinter based on that, and makes her 6th life start for Cibelli after making one start at GPW in November after spending her summer at Monmouth. She started out with 2 starts last winter at Gulfstream. She has yet to make the top 5. She took massive hits of late money in her last start, which was an off the turf dirt race, and she clearly prefers the turf. She ran straight to the lead that day, let another go, but leveled out mid stretch. In her previous start, on the turf at Monmouth going a mile, she blasted out to the top, went a fast first quarter, led to about 6f but faded badly late. She runs hard and fast for as far as she can go and if she can do that here, at this distance, she could bottom them out.

Race 4 MDN CLM  50 6F

Summary. A short field with a clear short priced favorite and a 2nd choice that will be a much shorter price than the balance of the field. Probably looking at 4-5 and 5-2. Both of those have issues and any of the balance could take them given the right circumstances. 

1 Frosted Mistress is a fts by Frosted who is a homebred trained by Nicks, She looks ready to start, but not to win. She will have to be seen. Nobody is a toss in this race if you go against the chalk. She has a weak female family and her second dam is by Storm Bird. 

2 Patty H by Flatter, she is by far the most raced in this bunch, as this is start 6 for her. She has worked her way down the class ranks along the way, now slashing her tag from 150k last time to 50k here after aborting the MSW trail, but last time was only 6th as the 6-5 choice. She will shorten to 6f here, but has failed twice at that distance too. On the fence with her as to whether she is raced out, or looking for a better spot to find a level she can take them all the way. Her jockey here was on the winner last time against her, stalked her and then blew by. I'm sure he knows she is the type that can only take them so far on the lead and will seek some sort of trip to manage her. She shows no works for the last month, perhaps trying to freshen her up as she has been very hard raced for a 2yo.

3 Izshefrosted a sts by Frosted whose speed figures is in line with the 2 horse and comes back to the same claiming level she raced first out when she was 3rd. She made a very impressive pre race appearance, ran out hard from an outer post, contested the lead wide, and stayed on well for 3rd while the favorite romped. She is the value play here if the top 2 ML choices take the money you would expect.

4 Snackster is a fts by Speightster, she shows 3 works, all of them good, the last one at 5f very very good. Another to use against the chalks if that is the play.

5 Air Cavalry is a 100k yearling by Air Force Blue, who is by War Front, who started out twice in MSW, 12th on debut, then 9th, then dropped into a claimer last time, switched to the dirt going 6f where she finished 3rd and now comes back at the same distance, surface and tag. Her speed figures however are well short of many of these. She has room for improvement, with the recent class drop, surface change and distance adjustments, but she will have to step it up. 2yo's can do that. Minor shot if she can and others bomb out. She has excellent gate speed and that is a plus in a short field like this.

6 Exact by Competitive Edge, who is by Super Saver, goes out for Pletcher, drops into a claimer for the first time, and had been racing in New York prior to her last try on turf at 5f at GPW, where she went off at even money from an outside post and finished 3rd. She is a chestnut filly and looks like a bit of a sulker, as well as suspect confirmation up front. Even though she is hitting the ticket, Pletcher wastes no time in tagging her here, which suggests she is a disappointment in terms of what they thought they had training down. She had to steady sharply last time when a horse in front of her lost the rider, but she wasnt doing much at that point anyway and had a clear run in the stretch and didnt do much then either. She has hanger written all over her.

Race 5 MDN CLM  35 7 1/2F

Summary. There are no shippers in this race, two for Sano, many going shorter, the likely favorite is taking a class drop. At first glance, a wide open race where something will improve or trip out and win it. Tote money will likely give you value contenders. Favorites must be watched post parading as they have attitude issues coming in.

1 Congrats Again a 2yo by Congrats who started on May 1 and has already made 9 starts. When they named him Congrats Again they named him right. He is durable but has missed the ticket in his last 3, so perhaps he is tiring. This will be his first try on turf, so I suppose that is something to go on. Playing devils advocate, they didnt try him on turf all this time until he tailed off on dirt. He is hard to like as a win candidate.

2 Andres Eduardo by Kantharos, has made 7 starts and not made the ticket yet, but we have seen this movie with Sano many times. He is a crafty, possibly shifty character to be kind. His runners just suddenly seem to click in after many starts and usually pay well when they pop. Many Kantharos's are tough customers that fight for the win. I wouldn't discount this one on the surface of his current record. He goes shorter here and drops from 40k to 35k, a subtle change. Last time, he ran out from the 10 post at 50-1 to gun to the lead and took them a long way before he gave it up mid stretch. The slight cut back in distance and the better post mean he can possibly leave out and sit mid race and make a second move. Decent longshot add in this type of race.

3 Champion Up by Carpe Diem, is a fts for Sano. He has a bullet 3f work two weeks ago and then two medium speed 5f works since, the last on Sunday. Another to consider although as a fts, going longer, he will have no experience with that type of trip. 

4 Trinni Summer by Trinniberg, who is by Tueflesberg, is 30-1 ML, has shown nothing to date in 2 starts, switches to turf here and goes longer. He is impossible to make on paper or common sense and his trainer is 4 percent from 50 plus starters this year. He wouldnt just blow up the tote board, he might cause an earthquake from Florida to Texas if he were to win this.

5 Sweeney's Cat by Kittens Joy, so bred for turf, shipped in from Penn as they are shut down, got on turf but had a terrible post and ran 11th in week 1 of the meet. However, he had a terrible post, ran out anyway, carried 6 wide in the turn, then wide all the way to the far turn, still contending, was near the lead when another carried him sharply wide, and then, when he cleared that one, another veered sharply into his path and wiped him out. Off all that, with a better post this time, he can be a value play if he can run like that again without the roadblocks and scenic tour.

6 Ghostlyprince by Cairo's Prince, ran okay last time when switched to a claimer and was 2nd on the turf. He comes right back with a slight drop in claiming tag and is the likely favorite. Last time, he was somewhat unruly and rank in the post parade, then certainly a bad actor in the gate, came out running but sharply right, bumped and pinballed with others, then had his head crooked in the first turn, made the lead deep stretch but let another collar him. He shows troubling signs for one you will likely have to take a short price on today.

7 Raulito by Overanalyze, makes start number 5 and shortens up in distance after finishing 5th. Minor shot but others look better on paper unless he wows me in the post parade and warm up.

8 Golovkin by Mshawish, who is by Medaglio Doro, and thus has a turf pedigree, drops out of MSW but his last speed figure was very good for this group. However, he is a bit of a rogue and rebel in the post parade, and he was running in horrible in the stretch and then quit towards the wire. He can be beaten based on the negatives he presents. He is a first time gelding here.

9 Kathern's Joy is a sts by Creative Cause, finished 2nd first out from the same post as he gets today, but shifts to the turf, which his pedigree suggests should favor him. He also goes shorter. He has a legit shot against favorites who have issues.

Race 7 Maiden Special Weight 6F

Summary. 4 first time starters and two with lots of experience. None going longer, class dropping or shifting surface. We could be looking at a speed duel and anything that can rate off that might be the one.

1 Magic Eclipse is a fts by Run Away And Hide, who is by City Zip out of a Runaway Groom mare, made 3 starts at 2, all wins, and then retired with a very high speed figure. He shows 3 so so works prepping for this. Unless he takes unusual money, he is an unlikely first out winner. 

2 Arham by Union Rags, a fts for Pletcher, gets Saez and is the ML choice. He is a homebred for Shadwell that they have been very patient with, and now he surfaces here 2 weeks short of his 4th birthday. He shows fast works at 3f along the way, but they stopped and started with him a few times, which suggests soundness issues. Lets see how he looks on track. He is likely talented enough but racing isnt training.

3 Egyptologist yet another late starting fts is by Pioneerof The Nile out of a Lion Heart mare. He is a homebred trained Biancone. Based on his works, he looks ready to run on the lead right away. Must be seen, but he is the likely value in a race where there are a lot of unknowns. 

4 Catch On Emotional is a 6 time starter by Uncaptured, who throws runners who like to win, yet he comes off 4 straight 2nd place finishes. He has been the even money or less chalk in his last 2 and beaten in both. Last time, he caught a field of 3 others, one who was never within the rest of them, another who couldnt keep up to the top 2, and the one who beat him, a professional maiden. Which this one is slowly developing into. He is very fast though, and that might be enough with a group who have mostly never raced and have questions as to why its taken them so long to get to the races. This guy runs in a bit late in races, and also appears to not want to pass horses. Tough call as he has found a field he should handle. But that could have been said previously and he didnt. 

5 Mutakaamil a 4yo by Tapit out of an Unbridled Song mare, so naturally, he is a gray. He shows high speed at times, as his breeding would suggest, but then large gaps in his races. He is almost 5 now and makes his 7th lifetime start. His top speed figure would probably blow these away. He ships in from New York, where he last raced in the early summer, and finished 4th, in a photo for 2nd with 2 others, and cuts back a furlong here. He will have to be seen. If sound, he is viable to beat these in a race where you can say that about quite a few. He worked a very fast 3 furlongs 3 weeks ago, then went easy 2 more times. I suspect they are sending him today, but he will have company if they do. 

6 Tonalism a fts by Tonalist, for trainer Joseph, who has done well with Tonalist, is the 2nd ML choice. He has blasted out some very fast works getting ready. Just another who might be sent out and find company of others who have the same idea.

In case you wondered

Gasparilla Blast gets his name from his dam, Gasparilla Parade, who gets her name from her dam, Gasparilla, who was bred and owned by Stella Thayer, a Tampa native, who was President of Tampa Bay Downs, the filly was likely named after Gasparilla Island, an island near the mouth of Charlotte Harbor in southwest Florida. There is also a Gasparilla Pirate Festival, a large annual parade and other events held in Tampa, Florida, and a Gasparilla Bowl football game held in Tampa. 

Cool horse names

Textpectation

Gulfstream Park Racing Journal December 16, 2020

 Race 1 MDN CLM  12.5 5 1/2F

Summary. Three fairly legit likely favorites, although all 3 have questions and aren't cinches to hold off some bomber from the pack. Five first time starters with 2 looking like they might run well first out. No shippers but a few class droppers and many going longer. Post parade and betting patterns will be key. Inclined to think a shorter price wins this, but not likely anything goes off less than 9-5. Queen Ashy Baby is a possible longshot play if she impresses on the track warming up.

1 Luci Breeze by Summer Front makes her 7th start, with two thirds so far. She shortens up a touch here after gradually going longer in each start, then cutting back in her last start. Now she is almost back where she started her career. This will be her 2nd start for 12.5k after dropping a touch last time while cutting back. She is capable enough on paper to make an impact. They added blinkers last time, but she only ran evenly mid pack the entire way and neither gained on the leaders nor faded to the stragglers. 

2 Fifth Illusion , a daughter of Fed Biz, who is by Giants Causeway, makes her 4th lifetime start here. She took a slight class drop from 16k to 12.5 last time and ran 3rd. She goes a shade longer here for the first time back in the same class. She was off 3 months before that last start, but comes back much faster this time. She took money last time, ran to the lead, dueled, but gave way late and doesnt seem to have that winning killer instinct. In a bulky field with lots of options, she is hard to like.

3 Facts Only by Bahamian Squall, who is by Gone West out of a Storm Bird mare, makes her 7th lifetime start after improving her speed significantly last time. She is the morning line fave and the top choice of most of the track handicappers. She will drop in class, go much shorter and switch from turf to dirt here. At higher class levels she has run just okay at this distance on the dirt. Interesting they would switch her back to dirt after running much better on turf. She cuts her tag in half for this race. Its looks as though they are trying to get her claimed and win themselves on the way out the door. Her breeding suggests she should like to sprint, but she doesnt have great gate speed and runs mid pack with one moderate move. Beatable favorite overall on the variables.

4 Cottons Last , fts by High Cotton. She is a homebred for her owners, but shows poor works at best to be kind. She is likely 90-1 and will have to be seen.

5 Baby Ana by Ride On Curlin is a New York bred making her 3rd lifetime start. She goes longer, cuts her tag in half and switches back to dirt in search of something to make her viable. She didnt look happy to be out there in the walking ring or post parade last time. She went from disinterested to rank and unruly. She loaded good, and broke well, but gradually backed away, finishing 7th of 7 while cantering under the wire well gapped off the entire field. Cant see her under any circumstance without showing something first.

6 Nicole Princess a fts by Sky Kingdom, who is by Empire Maker, shows 5 works leading up to the race, one weekly for 5 consecutive weeks for Sano, who gets Saez to ride her. She needs to be seen in the walking ring and parading to guage where she is at. If she were to take unusual hits of money, she might be worth including as a longshot option, which she likely will be. I'd say 25-1 is about right.

7 Queen Ashy Baby a fts who didnt sell as a yearling and then went for only 7k as a 2yo in training, is by Daredevil, a son of More Than Ready who won his first 2 life starts, then ran horrible in the Breeders Cup at 2, and finished his career in the Wood Memorial with only 5 life starts. He has sired Swiss Skydiver, a classics winner this year at 3. She shows steady works with some improvement and sharp speed at 3f. She is not impossible with this bunch at this level. Viable and one to look over closely pre race.

8 V K Princess by Palace Malice, a son of Curlin. She is out of an English Channel mare and makes her 7th life start here. She carried a bug rider last time, but it did her no good, as she was a poor 4th. She goes slightly longer here for a trainer that wins at 7 percent and carries more relative weight. Cant see her.

9 Sierra Diamond by Bahamian Squall, finished a solid 2nd last time to a fts later runner. She picked up Lebron first time that race and he sticks here. She dropped sharply last time and switched surfaces, which seemed to do the trick. She goes slightly longer here, but looks to be the one to beat.

10 Kerik a fts by Commissioner, who is by AP Indy, goes for a trainer I have not heard of and wasnt the listed trainer when she was scratched for her first attempted life start. He is a lifetime 8 percent trainer who seems to race mostly at Tampa with cheap claimers. She will have to be seen, but is very hard to like on paper unless she takes unusual money and wows me in the post parade. Possible play for later if she shows enough here. More likely back to Tampa in a cheaper claimer than this one. 

11 Mellow Gold by Wicked Strong, who is by Hard Spun and throws tough runners, a sts for Fawkes, who is noted as a trainer who gradually gets them going. She shortens up a furlong and drops from 16k to 12.5 for this race but draws a bad post again. To her credit, as a fts from a bad post, she got up for 3rd. She paraded sharp, calm, cool and collected and focused like an old pro last time. She has a legit shot here but will need some racing luck from the outer post if there arent several scratches. 

12 Gaga Oh La La is a fts by Fury Kapcori, by Tiznow, for owner trainer Anna Varsi, who appears to have just bought her cheap a couple of months ago. She worked sharp after that for 3f, but can she go 5 or 6f at race speed? That is the question. An outer post wont help either. I have to see her for todays rating and possible future plays. Intrigueing though. 

Race 3 MDN CLM  50   1m

Summary. A lot of class dropping shippers going shorter. One horse switching surface. Trade Deadline, a Chad Brown shipper, dropper going shorter looks like the probable lukewarm favorite, possibly 7-5 or 8-5. The track handicappers picked a variety of different ones, but nobody picked Trade Deadline on top. Pool Shark looks like the shorter priced value play, while the two outside ones appear to be longshot value adds if a lot of the glamour boys on the way out the door bomb out on the fire sale variable.

1 Pool Shark a 4yo son of Tiznow out of an Unbridled Song mare goes for top trainer Kelly Breen. He ships in from Belmont and gets a slight class rise to 50k from 40k. He shortens up a shade after finishing 2nd that day and sticks on the turf. He vastly improved his speed rating last time and  looks very playable. 

2 Seven Channels a 3yo son of English Channel with 7 starts under his belt. He drops from MSW and goes a half furlong longer. He seems to like to finish 2nd and 3rd, as many English Channel's do. Not my top choice, but he isnt a toss either. He gets a rider change to Saez from Panici, and perhaps he can shake him up when he is asked to seal the deal. Watching him parade last time, he seems to have a bad attitude about doing his work.

3 Trade Deadline a lightly raced 4yo son of Kittens Joy goes for Chad Brown. He made his lifetime debut at Gulstream almost 2 years ago, raced back 2 months later, then missed a year and a half, coming back to race 2 months ago at Keeneland when he finished 5th. He goes first time claimer here and obviously its time to cut bait for his high end owners. He was well beaten last time, only finishing ahead of two hapless no chance longshots. If his price is short, he is the classic bet against type. 

4 Exult  a 4yo Noble Mission gelding with 7 starts in his resume. He started his career 2 winters ago at Gulfstream with 2 2nd place finishes at MSW then ran okay at Keeneland, then tailed off after that. He missed more than an entire year before his last start at Aquaduct, where he finished 4th and is another who sees a claimer for the first time in his life. As an expensive 2yo in training, he appears to have been primed then, but not worn well over time. He is hard to like at a short price but a viable longshot add on the chance he has a good day and reverts back to the talent he has showed sporadically at times. He tends to run in and that is something to watch for in the post parade.

5 Unpopular Opinion is a 3yo colt by Carpe Diem, who is by Giants Causeway and had a brief racing career, out of a Candy Ride dam, so soundness is obviously an issue in play. He didnt start until mid summer this year, and this will be his 3rd lifetime start, both of the previous in maiden claimers at GPW. His overall speed figs are a bit short of the best of many of these and now he faces shippers and droppers from top barns. He is the longest ML and should go off the longest shot in the field. He gets Lapouroux, so that is a plus, but he isnt a miracle worker either. He was 2nd last time, but those were way softer than these.

6 Colliery a 4yo son of Mineshaft who was a 325k yearling, but has only made one life start, that back in March, and has been on the shelf since. That was a MSW for trainer Jimmy Jerkins and here he comes back with trainer Sweeney in a claimer, but not an overall soft spot. He was 7th in his only start then, He will have to be seen, but I'd think a 16k claimer is more an appropriate level for the start after this one if he can come back quicker and stay sound. He did get a very high speed figure in his only start, but can he duplicate that off the layoff and possibly his soundness issues?

7 Mr Matuschek is a 3yo first time gelded son of More Than Ready shipping in from Kentucky and dropping into a claimer for the first time after finishing 6th last time at Churchill. He was put on the lead that day but faded to last. Perhaps he changes his style here. Angel Arroyo rode him in his only Guflstream start and he sticks here. That day he sat off the pace and finished okay. Since, he has been on the lead with mixed results. He was a 250k yearling but then resold for 75k after that. He obviously hasnt panned out, like many high ticket ones dont. He has a Galileo dam, so he is bred to like the turf. He is not impossible on the variables when there are serious questions about a few of the shorter priced ones in this race. He ran a very high speed figure in his one start at Gulfstream this past summer. Price contender.

8 Phantom Dance is a 3yo gelded homebred son for Sam Son farm trained by Gail Cox and sired by Ghostzapper, shipping in from Woodbine and making his 10th lifetime start. He is yet another seeing a claimer for the first time in his life, but meets many who were legit MSW types when they were still hopeful and viable colts with promise. He races once here last winter, a 4th in MSW, and generally runs good enough to get a decent cheque, other than an 11th place finish at Woodbine 3 back, when he had a terrible post, was wide the entire way while trying to contend and only faded late when not beaten terribly like most 11th place finishers are. He came right back and got 2nd on the turf, clearly his preferred surface and he cuts back a shade here but gets back on the turf. He is a reasonable longshot add. His long winless record is a concern however and his overall speed figs are just a shade short of the best of these, but if they cant produce, they come back to him and he is a contender.

Race 4 MDN CLM  50 7F

Summary. No horses going turf to dirt, but a lot of others making changes, mostly shipping, dropping and changing distance, while many are looking to find suitable levels and this is a test race for them. This race looks like a longer shot type winner, with a few who fit that mold. Have to see them all as many have bounce type questions that could be answered with a bad post parade appearance. 

1 Little Demon,  a Jacks or Better homebred by their sire Awesome of Course makes his 5th lifetime start, drops out of MSW and has tried stakes company once, picking up 5th money, which was about where his odds suggested he would land, after a 2nd in a MSW in his first lifetime start. The winter is here now and the competition is tougher, so he is priced accordingly. His speed figure regressed significantly last time and he finished 6th as a solid 2nd fave, suggesting he may be tailing off. He was going longer that day, and goes even longer today, but as mentioned, drops in class, and based on the track handicappers selections, will be the favorite although he isnt a top 2 ML choice. Probably a 2-1 lukewarm fave on the class drop and that his trainer has them ready to win on the class drop and is known to spot them where they can do that. He switches to Saez here, and that will also drive the price down, although he had two very good jocks previously so its debatable how much of an upgrade that is this time. He met a kamikaze leader last time, whom he never got near, and while others reeled that one in, he did not and was well back. He seems to be going the wrong way after a promising career start, as happens to many that start early and run hard.

2 Fuego Caliente ships in and makes his 2nd life start, as a son of Will Take Charge. Like him, they tend to improve with more racing. He won 7 of 21 life and almost 4 million, but didnt break his maiden until his 2nd life start, then progressed evenly until he matured. This 2yo ships in from Ellis Park, drops out of MSW and goes longer, all things that should help him. His speed fig is in line or slightly better than the 1 horse. He has been off since August, but has two good recent works to get him fit again. Going longer suggests that he made need one, but he is possible right out of the chute here. He picks up Corey Lanerie, who didnt ride him first out in Kentucky, but is a top jock and has done well so far at this meet.

3 Divert  a colt by Candy Ride makes his 3rd life start for sharp veteran trainer Pita but rises in class, meets some droppers and shippers on the way up. He was a 10k yearling, but his speed figs are improving so far, and he has some license to go forward, but will have to to take down this entire group. He is possible and the class rise and moderate speed figs mean the price will reflect that. He has longshot potential in a group with more questions than answers on the surface. He tried him longer last time and got 2nd money and goes even longer here. I suspect the trainer is testing him out here, but he could just take to the changes. One to watch either way for future plays. He has started slowly in his two starts, and he needs to improve that. If he does, and can carry his speed, he is a value play here. He gets a jockey change to Vasquez here, as Torres in on another shorter priced horse, but one could argue that is an upgrade in rider.

4 American Fleet ,a fts starter for trainer Kelly Breen for the West's, who also bred the son of Tiznow out of a Tapit mare, tried to sell him but didnt recieve a high enough bid so they kept him and this is where he shows up to start his career. His works suggest he is ready to run first out, but he will have to be seen. Some of the Tiznow's are green early, and many of the Tapit's are bad actors. Post parade and how he handles himself in the walking ring will be important. Its not a good sign the high end breeder was trying to move him as a yearling and he starts out in a claimer. His dam ran 3 times and was no stock at all as a racehorse, while his 2nd dam was a stakes winner of about 200k who ran 22 times and won many races, but took time to win her first race. He is an unlikely first out winner, and bad value if he is a short price.

5 Big Cypress ships in from Laurel, after making his debut at Monmouth, dropping from MSW to maiden claiming but showing little improvement. He is by Imagining, a Giants Causeway son out of an AP Indy mare who won 9 of 26 and more than one million as a racehorse. However, he didnt race at 2, showed up late at 3 and took a while to get going but then raced on for a few years and ground out that million. So far, he hasnt produced well, but that doesnt mean this guy cant progress through the winter and find a lower level say around February when the better ones win their way out of maidens. For now, I have to see more and he will have to be assessed on the track. He is hard to like in this spot. He will go longer here and test tougher stock. Lets see how that works out for him.

6 Beeboo the ML choice by Elusive Quality for top trainer Cox, ships in from Churchill and makes his 3rd life start. He started out in MSW at Keeneland, ran 6th with a comparable speed fig to many of these, then dropped right away to maiden claiming at Churchill for 50k, which is todays level, and was the 7-5 choice, finishing 3rd but earning a much lower speed figure. You can consider that a bounce effort. Which one of his type will show up today? That is the question and he will have to be seen to make a decent guess. That was only 6 weeks ago, so one would assume he has been kept in training and not rested and possibly repaired if there were soreness or lameness issues. My best estimate is he will end up going lower as the meet progresses. He is going shorter today, and he gave it up on the lead last time. In his first start, he sat out of it and closed to no avail. I would think he leaves but lets others control it and tries for one late run to see where he stands. Beatable but possible at the same time. Not short price material though.

7 Taita a sts by Commisioner who is back in for 50k, but meeting tougher types than he would have at GPW when he debuted. He retains his rider Torres, but he was only 4th with that group and his speed figure doesnt match up with the one needed to beat whoever wins this race. He will have to up his game a big amount to get his picture taken. He goes longer here, and maybe that is his ticket to doing better. One the fence as to whether he is a toss or a longshot add.

Race 6 MDN CLM 20k 7 1/2F

Summary. A turf race where many are switching from dirt last out, many of those going longer and about half of those shippers. A good race to find a longshot out of that bunch or another who benefits from the likely confusion. Most of the lower ML choices are many time losers who have had lots of chances. The only one who does not fit that bill gets the far outside post. A widen open race overall. One standout who runs and blows them away or bombs out and leaves it wide open underneath her. 

1 Matcha a 5yo maiden mare by Macho Uno who sold to her current owner for 110k as a 2yo but obviously has not panned out. She is 0 for 10, only once 2nd, but 4 times 3rd. She is very hard to like as a win candidate, yet the ML top choice. Its that kind of race. She also rises in class from 12.5 to 20k here. She runs basically the same speed figure every time, and I see no reason she wont do that again and make the ticket and unsaddle watching something else graduate today. I might argue they are bumping her up in class because they dont want her to win, as she is less valuable once that happens. Just Sayin. Pass and go against. 

2 New York Commander by Commisioner, is 0 for 8 lifetime, comes off an 8th and 7th in her last two, yet jumps up in class and switches to turf, but has tried turf before with the same type of results. I can see her future as being in the cheapest maiden claimer they have at Fort Erie next summer, and not even being the favorite in that. No way I can make any case for this one. 

3 Our West Indy by Mineshaft, makes her 4th lifetime start shipping in for Kelly Breen and is likely to take some support, but not go off the favorite. She will go longer here, take a very slight class rise, in a race where many arent worth the price they are tagged at anyway, and since her trainer doesnt mess around like some of the others do in this race, I would have to think she is spotted right and in to run and win right now. She goes back to turf, and her speed figure two back when she ran on the turf is better than most if not all of these. She is the likely value in the race. 

4 Keypit by Congrats, she is 0 for 12 lifetime, ships down from the east coast and has had some bad posts in her last few. She has enough plausible excuses to suggest if the price is right she is in the mix to upset the apple cart. She ran poorly at Monmouth, but her speed figure 3 back at Saratoga plays with this bunch and those were far superior to this group. 

5 Signing Bonus by Union Rags, is 0 for 18 lifetime, switches trainers from a trainer owner who retains ownership to another trainer. That is interesting and the board must be watched to see if others who know better consider that significant. I will take a post time wait and see attitude with this one in a race where I can poke holes and drive a truck through that tunnel for their chances of failure. The new trainer moves her back to the turf and she goes shorter. I guess that might matter, if she is improved. 

6 Miss Wrote by Wrote, a classic British bred turf type sire, is 0 for 9 and counting as she tries this mediocre bunch. She went back to Tampa last time and earned a decent speed figure for this bunch, and she seems to run better there for whatever reason. She finishes 4th and 5th a lot and is the type that can pop out of the pack in a race like this. I dont love her, but i wouldn't discount or toss her either. She is a protection add because of all of that. The question I would ask is why ship down here when you can stay at Tampa and get 4th money there. Unless you think you can do better than that and possibly cash a ticket. Its not a short drive from Tampa to Gulfstream if you have ever done it. An entire days work and you would have to leave very early in the morning to be on time for afternoon races, then get home very late. Not worth it unless you think there is some reason to do it. 

7 Fina by Congrats makes her 4th life start, very light for this group of multiple chance losers, but is 30-1 ML suggesting she will be in their situation in 6 months or so unless she heads for a track like Charlestown or Sam Houston and a bottom claimer. She will be coming back on 12 days if she races. I cant see her off her form and speed figures so far. Her jockey brings in a lot of impossible on paper longshots, and this would be another. If he can pull some kind of a rabbit out of his helmet. 

8 Trinni Girls is a homebred 4yo making her 3rd lifetime start, first on turf, going slightly longer and taking a small class drop. All of that makes her one to consider when you look at the balance of the field of no shot types on paper. She would be a massive bomb if she comes in.

9 Hoity Toity by Mr Speaker, who is by Pulpit, and this filly is out of a Ghostzapper mare, makes her 5th life start, and ships down from Woodbine for a trainer who is also the owner in this case and comes down each winter with a bunch and wins a few here and there. She also goes longer and switches to turf and gets a bug rider so she has a weight edge on many of these because of that and her age. She has higher speed figures than many of these, but comes out of a 5 claimer where she was 7th. Seems more like a Tampa horse, but she meets many in here I could say that about anyway. Longshot, but possible because of others, not herself. 

10 She's Just Quality by Quality Road is obviously the class of the field and the one to beat on paper, as she drops from legit MSW company and has far better speed figures than all of these. She is the key to the race. If she passes the visual inspection pre race viewing, then the race is a no play as she will daylight this bunch. If she doesnt, she provides value on others and a license to take a shot on some hard to like mutts.

11 Gingeronmymind by Lea, who is by First Samurai and has a Galileo dam, so a turf pedigree, draws the far outside starting slot and in a race where many are going to take a shot and blow up, she is likely in for traffic trouble no matter what strategy is deployed. She makes her 4th life start here, but so far has done little. However, she slashes her tag from 50k to 20k, where many are probably worth closer to 5k than 15k. She would have to be used in the hope the 10 horse blows up and doesnt run well. One of many who you can both make a case for and a strong case against. 

Race 10 MDN CLM  50 1m

1 Flutiste by Mizzen Mast, is the lukewarm ML choice. She makes her 4th life start, ships in from Keeneland and drops into a claimer for the first time for high profile trainer Motion. She has been racing okay, just not good enough to get it done, and thus, they tag her but are unlikely to lose her in this spot where she will probably avoid the future stakes horses she would possibly meet in a straight MSW. She will have to be seen but looks viable enough. 

2 Driving Wind by Big Blue Kitten, a son of Kittens Joy who won 14 of 33 and almost 3 million, is obviously bred for the turf. She stays on that surface today, but after two on the board finishes to start her career, drops into the high end claimer today now that she has to face the onslaught of well meant shippers that are on the scene. She acts like an old pro on the track, loads well and leaves fast. She does just about everything right and is a solid contender here. She might have a bit of a hang in her, but since she is only two starts in, that is to be determined going forward. So far, so good.

3 Mothers Day Jewel a fts by Get Stormy, she is a homebred who has worked steady, twice down in Florida in the last couple of weeks, okay enough but not a wow performer yet. She will have to be seen and likely needs a start or two to be up to race speed and some of these with more experience. Her sire ended up being a top older performer, but was lightly raced at 2 and didnt really get going until late at 3. I'm sure her connections have that in mind here. Likely down in Florida for some experience for next spring and summer. 

4 Lower for Longer a second time starter bred in Ireland, by Tamayuz, has a clear turf pedigree and is the second ML choice here. She ships in from Monmouth and drops in to a claimer for noted Turf trainer Brown off an eighth place finish in her debut. She broke from the inside that day and that is tough for a fts facing Special Weight types. Hard to say what she is, but she still has a license to be competitive with these. Lets see how she acts on the track. My best guess is that she is going to have to go lower to find a level, but time will tell. 

5 Por Que No a fts by Wicked Strong, didnt sell well as a yearling and was moved early at 2, for no profit. She has worked 3 times and shown nothing to suggest she goes with these. I'd say she will take a nosedive in price for the next outing. One to watch today to get a better overall handle on her.  She is likely in the 70-1 range today and races to those odds.

7 Wecallherqueenmary a first time start by Exaggerator, a rugged son of Curlin, she has worked okay, steady and shown some speed. She will have to be seen for manners and composure, but if she passes those tests, she is not without a chance to pop at first asking, as her sire was good early and ready to go when he started his career. 

8 Big Bad Diva a sts by Skipshot out of a Giants Causeway mare has a turf pedigree. She was second in her debut, a 7f dirt race on the sloppy track rained off the turf. Here she goes longer and gets on the turf for high end trainer Joseph. She took very heavy late tote action last time, had the inside post 1, broke slow and last, worked her way up then was a solid 2nd going forward on a winner who wasnt going to be beaten. If she takes to the turf as her pedigree suggests, she looks like the one in this race. She is 15-1 on the ML, but I wouldnt expect to see more than 5-1 based on all the variables, and possibly could go off a 7-2 fave.

9 Speightster's Gold a sts by Speightster, goes to the turf after finishing 5th in the same race as the one above, and obviously, they were aiming for turf and a longer distance with this one. Because of all that, she is possible on the change in distance, surface and going longer. She does rise in class as does the one above, but not substantially enough to suggest that puts her in a deep hole. She will have to improve her speed here, but that is not out of the question. Minor shot at a price. Her sire did not race at 2, 3 times at 3 and won all of those, then was on the shelf for a year and came back with one start at 4 and was retired. Durability in the pedigree of this one is a question.

10 Brynbella by Flintshire, a noted turf and distance champion for many years, is making her 4th life start, dropping out of MSW and shipping from New York, where she was not good enough to make the ticket 3 times. She goes a bit shorter today for top trainer Pletcher, but again has a poor post and will have to be much better. Contender in a field where any that improves can be the one. She has a license to do that but I wouldn't want less than 7-1. 

11 Secrets Kept  by Outwork, a New York sire by Uncle Mo, draws outside, drops in class, ships in from New York and goes longer here. She is hard to like on paper, but yet, Acacia made her her longshot play of the day. She is one to look over well in the post parade and warm up.

12 Mission Possible by Noble Mission out of a Stormy Atlantic mare, she is bred to be a turf horse. She is a sts who ran okay in her first start at Special Weight and drops into the high end claimer here. The bad post is an issue even if she improves. Going much longer gives her a chance to settle and hopefully come from out of it if there is enough speed that battles in front of her.

Other races

None

In case you wondered....

Mr Matuschek  is the name of a character from the 1940 movie The Shop Around The Corner, which starred legendary actor Jimmy Stewart, shortly after his career began to take off. Its a story about a top salesman at a leathergoods shop in Budapest owned by the high-strung Mr. Hugo Matuschek. Stewart plays the salesman. You can find out the rest if google it. 

cool horse names 

Gaga Oh La La  

Hoity Toity 

Coffee Buzz Buzz 

Gulfstream Park Racing Journal May 14,2020

R1

El Scorcho
( EMPIRE MAKER - PALOOZA, BY HENNESSY )

El Scorcho continues to drop as she makes his 3rd lifetime start, this time diving from 50k to 12k in somewhat of a panic move. The bloom is clearly off the rose for this former 140k two year old purchase. Its time for her connections to bail out on her and take their losses. Will it workÉ Will it be enough
Her first two starts yielded back to back 9th finishes, but at least this time she comes back within a month, while she had more than 4 months between start 1 and 2. Otherwise, she returns at the same distance and still on the turf. That suggests the trainer thinks he has her figured out right, just that she is cheap and the only answer is to seek out weaker competition in the hope that helps her.
She was a FTS on Dec 8th in a MSW, saddled with post 11, broke okay but then settled mid pack to back pack, travelled along even and went the rest of the way that way. She could be given a mild pass in that she was green and had little chance to start forwardly. She was entered back January 19th under the exact same conditions, with post 3, but didnt run.
Her second start, on April 16th in a maiden claimer 50k, with an apprentice jockey aboard gave her a starting spot in post 8 for the class drop. As with her first start, she took no significant money at any point.
In both starts, in the post parade, she showed little interest in being out there and was indifferent at best. She is likely to be a pack runner with any kind of decent horse until she bottoms out at the B tracks at a lower level where she can run that way and simply keep going like that while others fade on lack of ability.
Last time she broke in the air, stumbled a shade, but then was right into stride and in the same position she was in her debut start. She was wide on turn, given every chance to make a run, but stayed within the back pack and closed with them while not passing.
She gets a solid post here, but gives every indication she wont make front and is destined to run with the pack again, although she runs on well enough that the drop should elicit some kind of small slice.
She takes a major class drop here, but to be honest, she never looked like she was even close to those, so they are just cutting to the chase and avoiding two minor drops and going right to the potential best spot. These are tough times. You cant afford to run where you think the horse is iffy. Unfortunately for her, while many are not taking as drastic a class drop here, they are going down as well. She will have to improve her starting and determination variables to beat them all. I dont see that happening.
I would go against her as chalk. That is assuming she goes off lukewarm chalk, which is likely.


R2

7 first time starting 2yo. They will have to be seen, otherwise, a pass race unless something takes insane win money. We will see.

R3

Bahamian Prince

( BAHAMIAN SQUALL - SUPER TROOPER, BY POSSE )

Bahamian Prince is a 3yo with 2 life wins from 7 starts, and 3 top 3 finishes in his last 3 starts as he slices his tag in half and faces straight claimers. He won a straight 35k claimer at this distance and surface 4 back, and has maintained good form. On paper, he looks very tough to go against.
Last time, for 50k optional, he ran a solid 2nd best to one who had beat him before. He has solid leaving speed, but not as good as the best in that type of race. He will stalk otherwise and tries hard start to finish, so any variable now in his favor, for example, avoiding that one and dropping in class, certainly enhances his win chances. Post 9 might hurt him again, so he is no cinch, but as tactical and versatile as he is, he is tough to beat. I wouldnèt however, take less than 7-5, which he might bring.

R4

Tiger's Back

( GHOSTZAPPER - NATIVE STRIKE, BY SMART STRIKE

Tiger's Back makes his 4th lifetime start for Dale Romans, his second in a claimer as he goes lower from 25 to 16k searching for the right level. He switches back to the dirt and cuts back to 6f, which is how he started out when he made his debut in MSW. He has been consistent about racing once every 4 weeks, but this time comes back in about 2 weeks.
He was a 370k yearling, but that high hopes ship has now sailed and at best he looks like a mid range claimer. First he has to win a race to find his level.
They tried turf and longer last time. He made a mediocre post parade appearance, as he seems disinterested, and showed the same in the gate, then getting off slowly as if he wasnt paying full attention. From there, near the back, he ran even, with little vigor, then was up for 5th money, nowhere near the top 3, and not gaining on the 4th horse. He shows little in that effort to think a minor class drop gives him winning form. He did the exact same in his first lifetime start, and in both races, was on the right line early in the race. Not sure how low he has to go, but this doesnt look low enough.

R5

Stone Hands

( TAPIZAR - HONEYCOMB GUS, BY IS IT TRUE )

Stone Hands wins his share and is a somewhat consistent claimer type. He continues to go lower, as he has become the type that picks up slices, and hasnt won a race in 2 years, when he was a borderline stakes horse and could take down legit allowance horses. That day seems to have passed.
He broke sharply last time, moved up to engage the loose leader, stalked and pushed him, but was all done before the 3/4 and basically eased before the last turn and cantered under the wire. On the class drop this time, he cuts back a shade, but considering his record the last year and how he finished last time, he doesnt have the form to fend off stiff challenges, which he is likely to get here.
He was on the right line bad last time, and the farther he went the worse he got. His previous start, at only 6.5f, he blasted out, gained the pocket, pulled on that one but was swallowed up mid stretch and ended 4th, on the right line horrible towards the tote board. I cant see him getting a mile while blasting out with any kind of challenge.

R6

Fresco

( FREUD - LADY RENAISSANCE, BY SMART STRIKE )

Fresco , a 2nd time starting homebred, has missed almost 4 months but comes back at the safe distance and surface after finishing 3rd in her debut. In that race, she made a very nice pre race and post parade appearance, was fractious and reluctant to load but did go in after a few tries, She was eager to get near the lead, but a few others were faster, then settled and followed in, trapped at times, with little place to move until she angled out on the last turn and took her shot. The winner beat her to the punch, but she almost ran down the leader who finished 2nd. A solid first effort.
She has worked steady and evenly in the interim, and looks very tough as she has experience to go with her likely stakes caliber talent.

R7

Maserati Man

( BIONDETTI - CLASSY CITY LADY, BY CARSON CITY )

Maserati Man, the lukewarm 3-1 ML choice, broke his maiden 3 back in a claimer in his 3rd lifetime start, and has picked up on the board finishes in his next two at this level or thereabouts. His speed figure shot up considerably in that last start, when he finished 2nd. That was 2nd off a layoff and he just seems the type that improves as he races on. He raced for a 50k tag then, but is in on the optional 32k here.
In that April 4th race, he ran out well, but def was veering right coming out, then was wide most of the way, 4 high on the turn, as he and the winner pounced on two who went at each other and were fried. He looked to have the winner beat mid stretch, but hung enough near the line to let him come back on. He was trying to switch onto his right lead, and did, but switched back and that is when he faded a shade. Hard to fault his effort, but the need to go to the right lead and then not keep on with that is troubling for a horse with a sire like Biondetti. That was also something he did on his return start just before that. He tries hard and is athletic and fast enough, but relying on that sort of action catches up with most, and this will be his 3rd start back and facing tough relative competition.