The Championship Meet at Gulfstream Park is rapidly approaching. In fact, it kicks off on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, and runs until March 29, 2026. To get 1/ST BET and Xpressbet customers ready for the big meeting in the Sunshine State, we have a $5,000 Hit & Split on Saturday. $2500 is up for grabs in the Pick 5 sequence that gets started in Race 7 with the other $2500 for the Pick 4 that begins in Race 8. Make sure to register on the promotional landing page!
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 7:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 5 One of One; 2 Tinta Roja
Backups: None
Forecast: Six of the nine entered for this $10k open claimer over the all-weather exit a similar spot on November 1 where it was #5 One of One and #4 Love Mami Love running 1-2 around the racetrack from start-to-finish. It is unlikely that the race plays out exactly the same three weeks later, but there is little early speed signed on once again making it tough to get to the late runners that were no match earlier this month. The wild card is though #2 Tinta Roja. The daughter of Vino Rosso drops out of a $20k claimer and moves back to the all-weather for trainer Beau Chapman. I give him the best chance of beating One of One to get the sequence started.
Race 8:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 2 Duty; 5 Uncle’s Gold
Backups: None
Forecast: A MSW at two-turns over the all-weather is next where I will lean on a pair of lighter raced horses with several of those likely to take money having far too many chances against similar already. #2 Duty is my top choice, but hard to fully trust. The Kinsman Stable gelding competed twice in Hallandale Beach back in late winter and early spring, but has not been seen since. He does though come in off a steady series of drills over the Belmont training track and one local move at Payson Park. His speed is a major weapon. #5 Uncle’s Gold comes in with better form, but has never competed over a synthetic surface. That said, he should be tough if able to translate his grass form over to the all-weather for trainer Michael Trombetta.
Race 9:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 10 Street View
Backups: 1 Puckered
Forecast: There is a ton of early speed signed on in this first-level allowance at the tricky 7-furlong distance. I am hopeful #10 Street View can use the outside draw to her advantage after chasing and tiring against much better in the Gallant Bloom (G2) in late September. The outside draw should allow jockey Micah Husbands to play the break and settle just off the plethora of early zip to his inside. If Husbands can avoid getting caught up in the early tussle or getting caught too wide throughout, this daughter of Street Boss should be tough. If not, #1 Puckered has a shot to make the last move. The Constitution filly was unable to take advantage of a really fast pace last out, but it came off of just 12-days rest. She can finish. Edgar Perez takes the call this time around.
Race 10:
Grade: B
Main Ticket: 7 And UWish
Backups: None
Forecast: The last time #7 And Uwish raced over this surface and distance it was a neck win over #3 Sosua Summer at this same condition. Both are entered in this 5.5-furlong sprint over the all-weather where I expect And Uwish to get to the wire first once again. The Joe Orseno trainee has raced twice since his win on July 6, once at five furlongs on the grass where he finished a length behind serious turf sprinter Reef Runner. After that, Orseno opted to try him at two-turns, which did not go well. The 4YO gelding has been given time and should get a similar outside stalking trip on the cutback to the one he got in his victory this summer. Regular rider Edgard Zayas is back onboard.
Race 11:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 2 Hard Circle
Backups: 4 Astin Style; 5 Broken Sound; 1 English Rocker; 6 Depth Perception
Forecast: The finale goes through a number of runners dropping from MSW into the maiden claiming ranks for the first time. Of the class droppers, I like #2 Hard Circle most. The son of Hard Spun moves into the Jose D’Angelo barn after a number of starts against better competition for Mike Maker. He has a steady series of works since arriving in Florida and should be on the lead under jockey Emisael Jaramillo. He had no chance to get to the front in his last this spring at Keeneland when a long shot ran off. I expect him to get back to showing speed from the gate.
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