Gulfstream Park reopens for the first time since racing fans saw a massive payout of over $36k to those fortunate enough to piece things together in the Rainbow 6 last Sunday. Much like last Wednesday, Xpressbet and 1/ST BET are offering up 10X 1/ST Rewards Points on races in Hallandale Beach. It is a no-brainer to get involved. Here are a few horses I will lean on over the 9-race card.
Race 1:
A wide-open maiden claimer at two-turns on the sod kicks off the week of racing and I like #5 Goddess Soteria. The 3YO filly did not do much running in two tries sprinting over the dirt to start her career, but took a noticeable step forward on the move to the grass and stretch out to a route of ground on December 20. The Kathleen O’Connell trainee had a less-than-ideal voyage stalking just off the speed in that last start, but was easily able to dispose of the pacesetter before giving way to two runners from off the pace. Expect a career best effort and the first trip to the winner’s circle for this daughter of Maximum Security’s in her second run over this course.
Play: #5 Goddess Soteria (6-1 ML)
Race 7:
The morning line choices in this MSW event for 3YO fillies at 5.5-furlongs over the all-weather are tough to endorse. The Todd Pletcher duo of #1 Amande and #2 Cantora certainly do not stand out to me from a win early pedigree perspective. Plus, despite his dominance in south Florida, Pletcher is just 2 for 18 over the last two years with 3YOs debuting over the Gulfstream Park synthetic. Michael Trombetta trainee #7 Mischief in Motion is likely to take a lot of public support as well. The $525k Keeneland September 2023 purchase could be the class of the field, but Trombetta is not known for having his runners cranked at first asking. The break towards open space from her outside draw also makes a short price tough to swallow.
Instead, I will try a runner with 3 starts under her belt, #3 Pretty Thing. The Jorge Delgado filly made three starts over the grass in Great Britain during the first half of 2024, but has been on the sidelines since. She comes in off a steady series of drills and attracts a rider that has turned heads a bit in David Egan. Her fitness and racing experience should do her well against these.
Play: #3 Pretty Thing (8-1 ML)
Race 9:
The Wednesday proceedings conclude with a $75k maiden claimer for 3YO fillies at 1 1/16-miles over the grass. #8 More for Sure looks tough to beat. The Fernando Abreu trainee dropped in for a tag last out in her first start over the Gulfstream Park grass and ran a better than looks third. The Irish-bred broke slow and had no shot of getting to the winner who was loose and lonely on the lead at 3-5. Irad Ortiz Jr. sticks around for her first start of 2024. With a more honest pace to run at, this gal should have no issue running them down under one of the best off the pace turf jockeys around.
Play: #8 More for Sure (3-1 ML)
Let’s start the week off right! Good luck!
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