Gulfstream Park Picks for Friday, January 9:
MR. ED GETS BACK ON TRACK: After three weeks of R&R, Mr. Ed returns to horseplaying with a pair of competitive cards at Gulfstream Park. His objectives for VSiN followers are to educate, enlighten and enrich the lives of handicappers who find following Mr. Ed’s selections to be a worthwhile endeavor. On the occasional few days he fails to reach his goals, no one will take defeat harder than Mr. Ed. And, on those days when he is fortunate enough to cash a few tickets, no one will celebrate his success more. Now, let’s get back to the track.
HORSING AROUND: Beginning with today at Gulfstream, Mr. Ed’s upcoming year at the races for VSiN also will include annual stops at Oaklawn Park, Fairgrounds, Keeneland, Pimlico, Aqueduct & Saratoga, Kentucky Downs and Churchill Downs. He’ll leave the West Coast tracks to those who know far more than he regarding racing at Delmar, Santa Anita, etc. First post today for Gulfstream’s 10-race card is 12:20 p.m. ET.
Mr. Ed’s Selections for Gulfstream Park for Friday, 1/9
Race 1 (12:20 p.m. ET/9:20 a.m. PT) — $38K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YO fillies going a mile on the turf
It’s great to be back in the saddle again, VSiN horseplayers. I’ll celebrate Mr. Ed’s return to the Winner’s Circle by picking either longshot #4 SLICEAWAY (10-1 morning line) for friend Nick Zito, or #5 CALL THE BULLPEN (5-2) on the class drop with top rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. for trainer Carlos David. Curveball special.
GULFSTREAM SELECTION: $5 Daily Doubles of 4,5/7,8. ($20)
Race 2 (12:50 p.m. ET/9:50 a.m. PT) — $26.5K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YO maidens going 5½-furlongs
Mr. Ed likes favorite #7 KAZOOZA (2-1 morning line) with top young rider David Egan and #8 DON’T GO ASTRAY (9-2). Veteran jockey Horacio Karamanos picks up the live mount.
Race 3 (1:20 p.m. ET/10:20 a.m. PT) — $24.5K CLAIMING for fillies & mares 4YOs & Up going 6½ furlongs
Mr. Ed finds lots to like about #2 DIRIYAH (6-5 morning line): drops for excellent trainer Victor Barboza; adds top rider Irad Ortiz, Jr.; gets Lasix; and goes shorter. Who could ask for anything more? It’s now or never.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 4 (1:50 p.m. ET/10:50 a.m. PT) — $29K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs going 5½-furlongs on the Tapeta
surface
Mr. Ed likes three for two: #4 THE LAST PAGE (5-2 morning line), who gets Edgard Zayas, Lasix and blinkers; #5 VAN CLEEF (9-2) for sharp young rider David Egan and #7 IF I CAN DREAM (2-1) of cashing for combo of Saffie Joseph, Jr. and Irad Ortiz, Jr.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 5 (2:20 p.m. ET/11:20 a.m. ET) — $86K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YO & Up FL-breds going 5 furlongs on the turf
Former Steel City resident Mr. Ed has been known to turn down an #7 I C LIGHT (5-1 morning line), even if it’s the last brew in the cooler, for HOFers Mark Casse and Javier Castellano.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 6 (2:50 p.m. ET/11:50 a.m. PT) — $54K OPTIONAL CLAIMING for FL-bred 3YOs & Up going a mile
As a former Miami resident, I’ll take a shot on #1 MIAMI FRANK (5-2 morning line) for Saffie Joseph, Jr. and top rider Tyler Gaffalione. Look for the deep closer to cross the finish line first.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 7 (3:20 p.m. ET/12:20 p.m. PT) — $24.5K CLAIMING for 4YO fillies and mares going 1 mile and 70 yards on the Tapeta surface
Mr. Ed’s betting on #5 DIALITHIC (5-2 morning line) to wire the field for jockey Yolber Torres and trainer Victor Barboza.
GULFSTREAM SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 8 (3:50 p.m. ET/12:50 p.m. PT) — $84K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for maidens 4 YOs & Up going a mile & 1/16 on the Tapeta surface
To close out the card, Mr. Ed likes three for the money: #4 SWAMP FOX (12-1 morning line) making second start for hot Phil Antonacci barn; #6 GOLD SOVEREIGN (5-2) for Chad Brown, and #8 ARK ROYAL with smilin’ Katie Davis named to ride.
GULFSTREAM SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $160
SATURDAY AT GULFSTREAM PARK: A pair of overnight stakes, the $75K SUNSHINE CLASSIC (Race 10) and the $75K FILLY & MARE TURF (Race 11), headline the 12-race program. The first race goes to post at 12:20 p.m. ET/9:20 a.m. PT. Look for Mr. Ed’s selections here on VSiN — and keep in mind, a bad day at the track beats a good day anywhere else.
