The racing week in Hallandale Beach, Florida concludes on Sunday afternoon when Gulfstream Park is set for a 9-race card that includes a mandatory payout of the Rainbow 6. There is over $60k in carryover money for the sequence that kicks off at 2:24 eastern with an allowance turf sprint. Here are how I see the six races.
Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.
Race 4:
Grade: B
Main Ticket: 2 Boat’s a Rockin
Backups: None
Forecast: 5-2-second choice #2 Boat’s a Rockin appears the clear one to beat in the aforementioned first-level allowance event at 5-furlongs over the grass. The 9YO gelding has won 17 times over the lawn throughout his 50-race career, while the other 7 contenders have just 1 victory on the sod. Jockey Edwin Gonzalez should be able to tuck in along the rail off what should be an honest early pace at the very least. If he avoids traffic issues, he should have no issue wearing this field down late.
Race 5:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 5 Tut’s Revenge
Backups: 3 Bless America; 7 Power Humor
Forecast: This open $6250 claimer at one-mile over the main track appears to be somewhat of a 3-horse race on paper. #3 Bless America and #7 Power Humor are expected to take more public support based on the morning line prices, but I like #5 Tut’s Revenge most. The 14-time winner has been popular at the claim box of late and has hit the board in 3 straight since moving back to the main track to start the year. His tactical speed should be a major weapon as Edwin Gonzalez becomes the sixth rider over the last six races.
Race 6:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 1 Pure Class; 5 Alarik
Backups: None
Forecast: The pace scenario is murky in this beaten $35k claimer at 7-furlongs over the main track, so I will use the two horses I expect to be forwardly placed and in with a significant chance. #1 Pure Class was re-claimed out of his last race by former trainer David Fawkes. The Big Beast gelding has earned 5 of 6 lifetime wins over this surface and has races to go back to that would handle this field. Hopefully, he can work out a favorable stalking voyage from his inside draw. #5 Alarik was caught in chase mode against better last out, but should be able to find a prominent spot with a good break given the lack of speed signed on. He is just 2 for 25, but comes in having run second in 3 of his last 4 starts.
Race 7:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 5 Clay Solidier; 2 Thankfully
Backups: None
Forecast: This first-level allowance at 5-furlongs over the grass goes through #2 Thankfully. The 7-5-ML favorite returns to the lawn after a third-place finish in a starter allowance over the all-weather on April 10. Two-back in her last start over the grass, Thankfully showed tactical speed from the inside, but was shuffled back before rallying for second beaten a little more than a length. With little early zip signed on in this spot, jockey Samy Camacho should be able to find a more comfortable stalking position in the early stages giving her a better shot to avoid traffic issues. She is the one to beat, but I also give a big chance to #5 Clay Soldier. The Bucchero mare makes her third start of the form cycle, but first run over the turf since Christmas Eve. I expect jockey Miguel Vasquez to have her involved early in her fourth lifetime try over this course.
Race 8:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 8 Winplaceandshow
Backups: None
Forecast: I will take a swing against the 2-1-ML favorite #3 Canton in this optional claimer for 3YO fillies over the main track. The Liam’s Map filly earned her lone win over the slop last November and has failed to get back to that career best performance since. #8 Winplaceandshow should get the right trip as the 3-1-second choice. The Florida-bred has been freshened up after a head victory over an off track on March 20. She has the early speed to take the lead if it is presented to her, but the outside draw should give Edwin Gonzalez options of the gate. Place or show will not get it done for me. I need Winplaceandshow to get to the wire first to hit the Rainbow 6 later this afternoon.
Race 9:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 6 Downtown Ro
Backups: None
Forecast: There appears to be a serious lack of legitimate early speed in this 5-furlong turf sprint for maiden claimers to close the week of racing at Gulfstream Park. #6 Downtown Ro has yet to make the lead in any of her four career starts, but has shown solid tactical speed in all of them. Whether jockey Micah Husbands is able to make the lead or find a stalking position early, he should be able to get the jump on this gal’s main rivals. Her lone start over the grass came against better where she was beaten just three lengths. She may have found the right group to earn her first lifetime win.
.svg){kind=logo}
