Saturday’s card at Gulfstream Park is a good one. The 11-race slate in Hallandale Beach gets started at 12:20 pm ET and is headlined by four stakes races, including a pair of graded events towards the back end of the card. It's all part of Pegasus World Cup Preview Day. At 1/ST BET and Xpressbet, we thought it was the perfect time to wheel back our Exacta-Thon promotion. The goal this time will be to connect on five or more $2 exactas over the course of the afternoon at Gulfstream. Those who hit five will earn an equal split of $2500 in bonus cash. The customer(s) who hit the most, will split an additional $2500. Just remember to register on the promotional landing page! Here are a few exactas I like in south Florida on Saturday afternoon.
Race 6: Sugar Swirl
The first of the four stakes races is this 6-furlong dash for fillies and mares over the main track. Bill Mott sends out Florida-bred #5 Nic’s Style, while to no one’s surprise Saffie Joseph Jr. holds a strong 1-2-punch with #6 Mystic Lake and #1 R Morning Brew. Nic’s Style was 7 for 8 in her career, including a neck win last spring in the Hurricane Bertie (G3) over this racetrack, but was flat in her return race at Aqueduct. She encountered a solid group that day in the Pumkin Pie and was down on the rail much of the race, but I expected more. She is likely to take public support with Mystic Lake the likely favorite. I have little desire in trying to beat Mystic Lake in this spot, who has been freshened up after four consecutive victories, so I will opt to fade Nic’s Style underneath in hopes she is not the same mare she once was. Instead, I will use #3 Ms. Bucchero for second. The 5YO mare has struggled to put races together of late, but is consistent when she runs. If she can avoid regression off of her win in late October against lesser, she should be good enough to grind away a minor share.
Play: Exacta 6-3
Race 9: Suwanee River
There looks to be a lot of early speed signed on in this year’s Suwanee River, which should set things up for someone who can settle, save ground early, and come with a big run late. I am hopeful most handicappers go to #2 Movin’ On Up on top, but I prefer the chances of #4 Crevalle d’Oro. The daughter of Constitution makes her first start since a solid fourth at big odds in one of the Breeders’ Cup undercard races at Del Mar in early November. She has a win in four starts over this course and should get a great trip under jockey Jorge Ruiz. Hopefully, it is good enough to get the job done with one of the other likely off the pace logicals good enough to pick up the pieces.
Play: Exacta 4 with 2+8
Race 11: Ft Lauderdale (G3)
This year’s Ft Lauderdale came up strong. The 9-furlong test over the sod drew 10, including the veteran #2 Wolfie’s Dynaghost. The 7YO gelding was on the sidelines for a while, but came back to have a solid 2025 campaign topped off by one of the best efforts in his career in the River City (G3). Luis Saez went to the lead with the son of Ghostzapper last month at Churchill Downs and he speed burnt a solid field in Louisville at this same distance. He needs to avoid regression, but should be forward under Irad Ortiz Jr. and a factor late. He is a must use, but I prefer the likely value #5 Beach Gold offers. The son of Omaha Beach has been given ten weeks by trainer Patrick Biancone after chasing some of the best turf horses in the country in the Turf Mile (G1). He has tactical speed, has shown an affinity for this course, and gets a big rider upgrade to Junior Alvarado. I will build my wagers around him in the finale.
Play: Exacta Key Box 5 with 2+6
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