We are excited to announce a renewed partnership with the fine folks and handicappers at 1/ST BET. Jeremy Plonk and Jeff Siegel will be sharing their expertise on a weekly basis to pass along some ponies that they like for races at various tracks around the country, including Gulfstream Park and Fair Grounds.
For this Friday, December 6 article, Jeff Siegel shares everything you need to know for the racing cards at Gulfstream Park and Fair Grounds.
GULFSTREAM PARK – RACE 7: Post: 3:34 ET Grade: B
Top Selection/Prime Play: 4-Zealous Moon
Forecast: City of Oscars is the deserved morning line favorite (7/5) and logical top choice, but better wagering value may be found with Zealous Moon (9/2), so let’s go for the more attractive price in this allowance optional claiming turf miler for juveniles. The son of The Factor finished unplaced in a similar affair at Churchill Downs last time out after a slow start, but his Keeneland maiden score two runs back charts very nicely with this group, so if he can bounce back to his best effort, he should be capable of registering a mild surprise. The barn’s “go-to” rider Edgard Zayas picks up the mount and a sharp recent turf breeze at Palm Meadows (4f, :47.4b) around dogs catches the eye, so with some pace up to compliment his style, the Riley Mott-trained colt may be able to produce the last run.
FAIR GROUNDS – RACE 6: Post: 3:15 CT Grade: B+
Top Selection/Prime Play: 7-Richies Princess
Forecast: Though she hasn’t been out since September of 2023, we know Richies Princess can fire fresh, having won her debut at Saratoga during her juvenile season in stylish fashion. The barn has superb stats with comebackers (28%), and this quick daughter of Laoban has been given a strong foundation of workouts to be fit and ready, so if she produces her best effort, this first level allowance sprint should be hers for the asking. A recent gate drill (:47 4/5) was the second fastest of 122 for the distance, so it’s pretty apparent she has retained all of her old speed. The barn’s main guy, Jareth Loveberry, takes the call and should have this talented filly on the lead every step of the way.
