The Lead:
Saturday's Sunshine Classic and Sunshine Filly & Mare Turf are co-featured on a card that promotes the Florida-breds at Gulfstream Park. The $75,000 Sunshine Classic (Race 10) is part of the Xpressbet Beat the Host contest. Outplay Santa Anita & XBTV racing analyst Millie Ball for your share of weekly and seasonal prizes.
Field Depth:
Stakes winners LURE HIM IN, SHAQ DIESEL, LIGHTNING TONES and BIG MARTINI are among the leading ledgers. Stakes-placed KHOZEIRESS, SECRET CHAT and AWESOME TRAIN provide depth in the field of 12. The horses with the strongest company lines appear to be KHOZEIRESS and LURE HIM IN, the latter Grade 3-placed.
Pace:
Rail-drawn POWER HUMOR likely will be sent to maintain the rail draw edge at this 1-1/16 miles configuration at Gulfstream. But it's HOLIDAY PAY and BIG MARTINI in posts 11 and 12 expected to hustle hard exiting 1-turn races and with a short run to the clubhouse turn. Inside-outside speed usually makes for a hotter pace scenario than what shows on paper. ONE SHARP COOKIE could add to the early fray mid-track. You don't want to close from the clouds with the sixteenth pole finish line in play, so a horse just off the hot pace should be advantaged.
Our Eyes:
Here are my horse-by-horse notes.
#1-POWER HUMOR: Primarily a 1-turn runner who has had trouble finishing the deal and will get some help from the rail draw, but the outside speed and additional distance likely negate those gains.
#2-KHOZEIRESS: Inconsistent sprinter failed to offer much in this race last year when sixth, but comes into chance for redemption second off the layoff in the form cycle, which has produced victories for this 5-year-old the past 2 times it's come up in the pattern. Should get an excellent trip under Luis Saez.
#3-LURE HIM IN: Defending champion of the Sunshine Classic rallied to win this race by a head last year at 7-1. Hasn't won in 7 starts since while facing mostly stronger competition than these in the process. Post and running style are both benefits to the way this race could set up.
#4-SECRET CHAT: Lightly raced and well-bred son of Union Rags exits back-to-back allowance wins around 1 turn since moving to Victor Barboza's barn. In a race full of veterans where you have seen the ceilings, this is the up and comer to fear most. Pedigree says 2 turns will suit and the draw is excellent.
#5-AWESOME TRAIN: Superfecta finishes in 8 of his last 9 races with a strong dose of claiming races involved. Antonio Sano has him peaked off 2 straight wins and ready for his biggest test so far.
#6-ONE SHARP COOKIE: Should be another potential pace threat exiting the sprint ranks and will be drawn between potential other speed, making for a tough trip. He's won 3 of his last 4 trips over the Gulfstream main and is freshened for this. Distance will be the test.
#7-SHAQ DIESEL: He's 8-for-9 in the superfecta since coming to David Fawkes' barn in 2023, but all of those starts were around 1 turn. Running style and pedigree suggest 2 turns are within reach and there's no strong case to make against him - just prefer others a bit more.
#8-BELTS 'N BROOKS: Yet another 1-turn specialist who has gone the trip unsuccessfully just twice in 24 starts. 10 of his last 11 have been superfecta finishes against softer competition.
#9-LIGHTNING TREES: Consistent check-getter like most of these, but failed to win in 8 starts last year. While 0-3 around 2 turns, his last was promising over this 1-1/16 miles trip. Can't fully discount for a piece with a great pace set-up. Emisael Jaramillo jumps to ride Power Humor.
#10-SOUPER WATSON: Claimed for $25,000 by Saffie Joseph Jr. last out after a runner-up try at Woodbine. Winless in 7 starts for 2024, but this barn tends to move them up with 33% victories first off the claim. Dirt form yet to be discovered, so I'll take a wait-and-see.
#11-HOLIDAY PAY: Saffie Joseph Jr. and John Velazquez make a rare pairing with this wide-drawn sprinter expected to be gunned for early position. Didn't miss the money in his first 8 starts, but misfired as the favorite in his last 2. This will be his first try in stakes company. With an easier pace set-up, perhaps; but feels like too much to ask.
#12-BIG MARTINI: Wire-to-wire stakes winner in a Tampa sprint last time out, Reylu Gutierrez really has no option other than to come busting out from the 12-hole. Quality 1-turn form and extremely consistent, which sounds like about 6-8 of them in this field. Post makes you demand a bigger price.
Most Certain Exotics Contender:
Take your pick in this super-consistent lot. LURE HIM IN is proven over the distance and class, so he gets the nod.
Best Longshot Exotics Contender:
So many mid-range price horses to choose from in this one. At 8-1 morning line, I'll lean heavily on KHOZEIRESS.
Sending it in ($100 bankroll):
$50 win and place KHOZEIRESS.
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