At the Gate - Thursday
By Mike Dempsey
Entries were drawn yesterday for Saturday’s Sunshine Millions Day card at Gulfstream Park. We have an 11-race card with six stakes with over $1 million in purses up for grabs.
The headliner is the $250,000 Sunshine Millions Classic which drew a field of 10. I was surprised to see Mr. Jordan entered by trainer Ed Plesa.
The colt ran last Saturday in the Hal’s Hope (G3) but was bumped around coming out of the gate and checked in a distant fifth, beaten 15 ¼ lengths.
The race looks wide open. Among the main contenders are Sunshine Millions Classic Preview winner Saraguaro, recent second level optional claimer winner Abounding Legacy and Claiming Crown Iron Horse winner Runs With Bulls.
The $200,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff drew a field of 10 led by talented Flutterby, who was the beaten chalk in the Sunshine Millions Distaff Preview where she had to settle for third behind a couple of foes she faces again-Legal Laura and My Miss Venezuela.
I will have selections for the Classic along with the $200,000 LeComte (G3) from Fair Grounds in Saturday’s column. The LeComte is a Road to the Kentucky Derby points race.
Here is today’s opener from Gulfstream Park to get the day off to a good start:
GP Race 1 Clm $35,000 (12:35 ET)
#8 Tetradrachm 8-1
#5 Riviere Du Loup 7-2
#6 Star Contender 5-1
#9 Gunderson 4-1
Analysis: Tetradrachm drops back in for a tag after checking in sixth last out against Alw-2 optional claimers. The Mott barn claimed this guy for $35,000 two back where he made a mild late rally to finish fourth. This guy is graded stakes placed but has not lost 23 straight races. Mott was the trainer when he last won in '13. He catches an easier spot and we should catch a fair price.
Riviere Du Loup beat $35,000 foes last out after beating non-winners of three in his previous start. He has now landed in the exacta in 6 of 9 career starts on turf. He comes in here in the sharpest form of his career and looks capable of winning right back.
Wagering
WIN: #8 to win at 9-2 or better.
EX: 5,8 / 5,6,8,9
TRI: 5,8 / 5,6,8,9 / 5,6,8,9,10
Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Gulfstream Park:
GP Race 8 OClm $16,000SAL (4:05 ET)
#2 Market Blaster 10-1
#11 Saturday Special 4-1
#1 Afleet Accompli 6-1
#3 Percussion 6-1
Analysis: Market Blaster faded badly and was pulled up last out in the slop in the Claiming Crown Jewel. The gelding came into that race having won three of his four previous starts. He sports a pair of works since and fact barn brings him back protected looks like a good sign he is going to rebound here. He beat Alw-3 optional claimers at Philly back in August. Decent value if he goes off near his 10-1 morning line.
Saturday Special was not much of a threat in the Claiming Crown Iron Horse last out and fits better in this spot. He reeled off three straight this summer at Monmouth Park before coming up short two back at Delaware Park against $8,000 starter allowance foes. The cut back to one turn here should suit and he will be forwardly placed likely get sent from his outside post.
Wagering
WIN: #2 to win at 9-2 or better.
EX: 2,11 / 1,2,3,11
TRI: 2,11 / 1,2,3,11 / 1,2,3,5,11
Live Longshots:
These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.
Gulfstream Park
R1: #8 Tetradrachm 8-1
R2: #2 El Kracken 8-1
R2: #3 Never in Trouble 10-1
R3: #6 Just Like Kaki 10-1
R5: #9 Hanover Honey 10-1
R5: #1 Check Your Six 8-1
R5: #5 Livin for Love 8-1
R6: #2 In Excessiveness 8-1
R7: #1 Mystic Sky 8-1
R8: #2 Market Blaster 10-1
R9: #5 Sing Lady Sing 12-1
R10: #4 Bay Point Count 12-1
By Mike Dempsey
Entries were drawn yesterday for Saturday’s Sunshine Millions Day card at Gulfstream Park. We have an 11-race card with six stakes with over $1 million in purses up for grabs.
The headliner is the $250,000 Sunshine Millions Classic which drew a field of 10. I was surprised to see Mr. Jordan entered by trainer Ed Plesa.
The colt ran last Saturday in the Hal’s Hope (G3) but was bumped around coming out of the gate and checked in a distant fifth, beaten 15 ¼ lengths.
The race looks wide open. Among the main contenders are Sunshine Millions Classic Preview winner Saraguaro, recent second level optional claimer winner Abounding Legacy and Claiming Crown Iron Horse winner Runs With Bulls.
The $200,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff drew a field of 10 led by talented Flutterby, who was the beaten chalk in the Sunshine Millions Distaff Preview where she had to settle for third behind a couple of foes she faces again-Legal Laura and My Miss Venezuela.
I will have selections for the Classic along with the $200,000 LeComte (G3) from Fair Grounds in Saturday’s column. The LeComte is a Road to the Kentucky Derby points race.
Here is today’s opener from Gulfstream Park to get the day off to a good start:
GP Race 1 Clm $35,000 (12:35 ET)
#8 Tetradrachm 8-1
#5 Riviere Du Loup 7-2
#6 Star Contender 5-1
#9 Gunderson 4-1
Analysis: Tetradrachm drops back in for a tag after checking in sixth last out against Alw-2 optional claimers. The Mott barn claimed this guy for $35,000 two back where he made a mild late rally to finish fourth. This guy is graded stakes placed but has not lost 23 straight races. Mott was the trainer when he last won in '13. He catches an easier spot and we should catch a fair price.
Riviere Du Loup beat $35,000 foes last out after beating non-winners of three in his previous start. He has now landed in the exacta in 6 of 9 career starts on turf. He comes in here in the sharpest form of his career and looks capable of winning right back.
Wagering
WIN: #8 to win at 9-2 or better.
EX: 5,8 / 5,6,8,9
TRI: 5,8 / 5,6,8,9 / 5,6,8,9,10
Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Gulfstream Park:
GP Race 8 OClm $16,000SAL (4:05 ET)
#2 Market Blaster 10-1
#11 Saturday Special 4-1
#1 Afleet Accompli 6-1
#3 Percussion 6-1
Analysis: Market Blaster faded badly and was pulled up last out in the slop in the Claiming Crown Jewel. The gelding came into that race having won three of his four previous starts. He sports a pair of works since and fact barn brings him back protected looks like a good sign he is going to rebound here. He beat Alw-3 optional claimers at Philly back in August. Decent value if he goes off near his 10-1 morning line.
Saturday Special was not much of a threat in the Claiming Crown Iron Horse last out and fits better in this spot. He reeled off three straight this summer at Monmouth Park before coming up short two back at Delaware Park against $8,000 starter allowance foes. The cut back to one turn here should suit and he will be forwardly placed likely get sent from his outside post.
Wagering
WIN: #2 to win at 9-2 or better.
EX: 2,11 / 1,2,3,11
TRI: 2,11 / 1,2,3,11 / 1,2,3,5,11
Live Longshots:
These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.
Gulfstream Park
R1: #8 Tetradrachm 8-1
R2: #2 El Kracken 8-1
R2: #3 Never in Trouble 10-1
R3: #6 Just Like Kaki 10-1
R5: #9 Hanover Honey 10-1
R5: #1 Check Your Six 8-1
R5: #5 Livin for Love 8-1
R6: #2 In Excessiveness 8-1
R7: #1 Mystic Sky 8-1
R8: #2 Market Blaster 10-1
R9: #5 Sing Lady Sing 12-1
R10: #4 Bay Point Count 12-1
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