Gulfstream Park Picks for Saturday, December 20:
HORSING AROUND: In Mr. Ed’s final column of 2025, there’s something for everyone — especially your horseplaying host. No foolin. Would you believe a beautiful filly named HORSING AROUND is running! Look for this hunch-bet only young gal in Race 2. Elsewhere on the 11-race card, you’ll find: five stakes, three maiden special weight contests; nearly $1 million in purse money; several top riders, including HOFer Johnny Velazquez along with Irad Ortiz, Jr., Flavien Prat and Tyler Gaffalione; HOF trainers Bill Mott and Mark Casse along with Chad Brown and red-hot Brian Lynch along with racing on three different surfaces: dirt, turf and synthetic. . . and a partridge in a pear tree. Who could ask for anything more? Not Mr. Ed. He’s taking a few weekends far away from the PPs and VSiN to recharge his handicapping batteries. He plans to return the weekend of January 9-11 with a column full of early 2026 winners. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
Mr. Ed’s Selections for Gulfstream Park Saturday, 12/20
Race 1 (12:20 p.m. ET/9:20 a.m. PT) — $70K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 5 furlongs on the grass
Mr. Ed starts the day with a horse actually named #4 HORSING AROUND (10-1 morning line), I kid you not. Mr. Ed sees the first-time starter as the ultimate hunch play with a legitimate chance to win under top rider Flavien Prat. In an effort to hit the DD, Mr. Ed also uses #7 MERMAID (2-1) with Irad Ortiz, Jr. and #9 ELENIQUE (3-1) with local star David Egan in the saddle.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $5 DAILY DOUBLE OF 4,7,9/6,10. ($30)
Race 2 (12:50 p.m. ET/9:50 a.m. PT) — $29K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 2YOs going 5½ furlongs on the synthetic surface
To complete the DD, Mr. Ed likes either of two: #6 BINT MISCHIEF (5-2 morning line) with Tyler Gaffalione riding for young Will Walden, or #10 EZ AZUL (4-1) with Jorge Ruiz in the irons for Joe Orseno. Never mind the bet may be blind.
Race 3 (1:20 p.m. ET/10:20 a.m. PT) — $27K CLAIMING for 3YOs & Up going 5½ furlongs on the synthetic surface
#9 TORCH IS PASSED (7-2 morning line) is a standout for the Ramsey crew. Look for consecutive wins under Carlos Martinez after the voided claim. Look for speedy sort near the front early; may not be passed.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 5 (2:18 p.m. ET/11:18 a.m. PT) — $125K JANUS STAKES for 3 YOs & Up going 5 furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed likes any of three for money: #5 COPPOLA (9-5 morning line) for U.S. Senate candidate, Kentuckian Dale Romans, with Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard; #7 LITIGATION (4-1) for hot Brian Lynch barn, and #8 REEF RUNNER (2-1) with Tyler Gaffalione riding.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 5,7,8. ($30)
Race 6 (2:48 p.m. ET/11:48 a.m. PT) — $125K SUGAR SWIRL STAKES for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF DAY is #5 NIC’S STYLE (9-5 morning line) for HOF trainer Bill Mott and go-to rider Junior Alvarado. Winner of nearly $500K, seven of nine lifetime and 3-for-3 over the oval, 5YO mare is a standout here. I like her style.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 7 (3:18 p.m. ET/12:18 p.m. PT) — $70K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 1 1/16-mile on the turf.
One of Mr. Ed’s go-to trainers, Danny Gargan, has entered first-time-starter #6 MINOTAUR (12-1 morning line) with Micah Husbands riding. Son of RAGING BULL is worth a look and works indicate he’s ready to run. Mr. Ed Jumps aboard.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 8 (3:48 p.m. ET/12:48 p.m. PT) — $57K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s betting #4 AIRDRIE HILL (2-1 morning line) can make it a hat trick for trainer Brian Lynch with Miguel Vasquez riding. Expensive filly looks like an easy winner.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 9 (4:18 p.m. ET/1:18 p.m. PT) — $150K SUWANNEE RIVER STAKES for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going a mile on the grass
Mr. Ed’s LONGSHOT OF THE DAY is #8 PUBLIC DEFENDER (12-1 morning line) for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., who hires top rider Flavien Prat to upset the field. Cutback to mile puts 4YO gal near the front early, in front late.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)
Race 10 (4:48 p.m. ET/2:48 p.m. PT) — $150K G3 HARLAN’S HOLIDAY STAKES for 3YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed’s pick is hot-shot #5 POSTER (2-1 morning line) for popular Eoin Harty with standout rider Flavien Prat. Race sets up for the youngster’s closing kick.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win #5 & $5 Daily Doubles with 2,6,8. ($25)
Race 11 (5:18 p.m. ET/2:18 p.m. PT) — $200K G3 FT. LAUDERDALE STAKES for 3YOs & Up going 1⅛-mile on the turf
To close out the card and the DD, Mr. Ed likes classy #2 WOLFIE’S DYNAGHOST (2-1 morning line) with Irad Ortiz, Jr.; #6 CUGINO (5-2) with Flavien Prat up, and #8 MAJOR DUDE (5-1) with HOFer Johnny Velazquez riding. Strictly a jockey’s race.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 2,6,8 ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $180
NFL Week 15
CAR Panthers +3*
(*against the spread)
