Jeremy Plonk: Gulfstream Pick 4 Hit & Split Analysis | Thursday, March 20, 2025

The weekly 2 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split promotions continue each Thursday in March for Gulfstream (and Sundays for Santa Anita). This Thursday’s Gulfstream Hit & Split features Races 6-9, which are slated to be run over all 3 local surfaces.

Let’s get to work.

Race 6: claiming (Tapeta)

Eight dash the 5-furlong synthetic trip and notably seven of them own previous victories on the GP Tapeta. #3 Z First hasn’t raced since August 2023, but a long series of 47-and-change morning flashes have this Steve Klesaris trainee able to lure Irad Ortiz Jr. to ride. Notable, and you don’t have to be super-fit to fly five-eighths of a mile. The field is very evenly matched and expected to finish in a heap given the distance on synthetic, making this a single-or-spread option. I always lean to narrowing.

Race 7: allowance/optional claiming (Tapeta)

Seven square off at 1 mile and 70 yards and it’s a modest group for a second-level allowance. That’s why the 4-year-old #6 De Regreso’s sophomore form from a year ago might hold up just fine against this particular group of elders. She was overmatched last out in the Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf at 58-1, but she won the Martha Washington over the Tapeta here last June and runs well turf-to-synth for an Antonio Sano barn that hits well above it’s norm making this kind of move, too. #1 Tito’s Calling is the other finisher of note making that second-off-the-layoff form cycle move that produced a win in 2024 during the same spot of her season.

Race 8: allowance (dirt)

Seven of the 10 finished out of the money last time out while the other trio exit maiden claiming wins and are on the class rise. Given that uncertainty, field size and stronger opinion in other legs, this will be my obvious spread race. In fact, I’ll press the all-button while giving #4 Grand Golden Road the value nod at 12-1 morning line. Tyler Gaffalione sticks aboard through the claim, and note new trainer Carlos David wins a gaudy 33% with new pickups.

Race 9: allowance/optional claiming (turf)

#7 Hot Blooded won a similar race Nov. 22 on Tapeta and has been re-claimed by Mike Maker to try the same condition on turf. Maker had turf success with this one at Gulfstream and Monmouth in 2024, so he obviously fits with these. But he’s 2-for-15 on the GP lawn lifetime, so you don’t have to settle just here. #1 Drink N Wink intrigues after chasing a super-fast pace last time in a race that’s already had a couple of return winners. The pace looks cozier Thursday, he’s got the rail and he intrigues at 8-1 morning line.

The Ticket:

3 with 6,1 with ALL with 7,1 = $20 for each 50 cents

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