Gulfstream Park Picks for Friday, December 19:
HORSING AROUND: It’s difficult this time of year to find a race card worth handicapping and betting. This week is no exception. While Saturday’s 11-race program at Gulfstream Park, featuring five stakes contests, offers several playable challenges, today’s card is a real turkey. “Sometimes you can get what you need …” Not today, Mr. Ed followers. With the first post at 12:20 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT, here are my top selections for Friday.
Mr. Ed’s Selections for Gulfstream Park, Friday, 12/19
Race 1 (12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT) — $56K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & Up going a mile on the grass
Mr. Ed likes either of two to begin a DD: #5 LIMITED EDITION (10-1 morning line), trained by Phil Antonacci and ridden by David Egan with blinkers off, and #12 UP FOR AN OSCAR (2-1), for the powerful team of Chad Brown and Junior Alvarado. Goes with blinkers on.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 5,12/2,7 ($20)
Race 2 (12:52 p.m. ET/9:52 a.m. PT) — $24.5K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3 YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile on synthetic surface
Mr. Ed likes #2 SMOOTH CLARET (8-1 morning line) for trainer Jennifer Young and relocated (from NY) rider, smiling Katie Davis, and #7 BRAVO KITTEN (3-1) for trainer Jorge Abreu, who rehires Luca Panici to ride.
Race 5 (2:27 p.m. ET/11:27 a.m. PT) — $57K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & Up going 5 furlongs on the turf
In a race loaded with speed, Mr. Ed likes a dead closer, #8 MY VOODOO DOLL (7-2 morning line) for the HOF team of trainer Mark Casse and jockey Johnny Velazquez. Race sets up for the gelding’s closing kick.
GULFSTREAM PARK: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 6-9 (3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT) — $1 Pick 4*
R6: 2,3
R7: 3
R8: all
R9: 3,5,8 ($42)
*In the event of a scratch, the post-time favorite is the substitute pick.
Race 7 (3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT) — $58 ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & Up going a mile
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY is #3 TAPPAN STREET (4-5 morning line) as the standout 3YO, who won the Florida Derby, returns after six months on the shelf, adds Lasix, cuts back, and gets new rider, Irad Ortiz, Jr. for Brad Cox. What more could a horseplayer want?
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $30 to Win.
Race 9 (4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT) — $35K MAIDEN CLAIMING for FL-bred 2YOs going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #3 FAZZONE (5-2 morning line) loses blinkers and gets trainer George Weaver and rider upgrade to Tyler Gaffalione, #5 HOTTER THAN DEM (8-5) for Jose D’Angelo and Irad Ortiz, Jr., and #8 COMPLEXED (6-1) for John Velazquez and hot trainer Mark Casse. Gelding will benefit from the class drop.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30).
TOTAL WAGERS: $142
