Gulfstream Park Picks for Saturday, February 21:
TRACKING MR. ED: Once all the dust had settled after Friday’s 10-race card, there were few big winners and few big losers. On the positive side, Florida-based jockey Edgard Zayas scored a hat trick, while Manny Vasquez had a pair of scores, and Mr. Ed had a pair of successful picks. On the other side, top riders Irad Ortiz Jr. and Tyler Gaffalione were held to a win apiece, and no single trainer had more than one trip to the Winner’s Circle. Boosted by the biggest payoff of the day ($38.60) in the finale, the average $2 Win ticket returned $10.50. As for Saturday, brace yourselves for a difficult 11-race card, featuring R10 $175K Gulfstream Park Sprint for older horses. First race post is scheduled for 12:20 p.m. ET/9:20 a.m. PT. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s best bets.
Mr. Ed’s Selections for Gulfstream Park, Saturday (2//21)
Race 1 — $84K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares 3YOs & Up going 7½ furlongs on the grass
Mr. Ed likes two in the first half of the Daily Double: #3 COPACABANA (9-2 morning line), making second start for the powerful Todd Pletcher-Johnny Velasquez team, and #7 THREE TO G (2-1) for trainer Danny Gargan, who makes significant rider change to Irad Ortiz, Jr. Mr. Ed will take either of the two to go.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $5 DD of 3,7/3,8. ($20)
Race 2 (12:50 p.m. ET/9:50 a.m. PT) — $38K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YO fillies and mares going 5½ furlongs
Mr. Ed’s betting on either of two to complete the DD: #3 AFFLUENZA (5-2 morning line) for trainer David Fawkes, who switches jockeys to Tyler Gaffalione, or #8 SWEET DREAM LADY (3-1) for Michael Yates, who cuts the filly back and hires Renzo Rojas to ride.
Race 4 (1:50 p.m. ET/10:50 a.m. PT) — $24K CLAIMING for 4YOs & Up going 5 ½ furlongs on the Tapeda surface
Since arriving in Florida from her NY base, jockey Katie Davis has caught the eye of several trainers who are impressed with her competitive riding abilities. As one who has been following her career for years, Mr. Ed concurs. In this race, Davis returns to ride #3 LODATO (9-5 morning line) as she seeks to repeat her recent winning effort. Mr. Ed will have a shot of whatever Davis is drinking.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win and Place. ($20)
Race 6 (2:50 p.m. ET/11:50 a.m. PT) — $86K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 4YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes three: #4 TIMELESS WONDER (5-2 morning line) for HOF trainer Todd Pletcher, who rehires Johnny V. in effort to repeat win; #9 HIGH SOUTH (3-1), with sharp trainer George Arnold, who hires Mario Gutierrez to ride, and #10 IVORY AND EBONY (6-1) for U.S. Senate candidate Dale Romans with veteran jockey Corey Lanerie, seeking first win of meet.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 4,9,10. ($30)
Race 8 (3:50 p.m. ET/12:50 p.m. PT) — $84K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs going 1⅛-mile
Mr. Ed confidently takes another shot on trainer Danny Gargan with favorite #5 FANCY GENTLEMAN (7-5 morning line) with Tyler Gaffalione. The first two efforts indicate he’s ready to score, fancy or not.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Races 9-12 (4:20 p.m. ET/1:20 p.m. PT) — $.50 PICK 4*
R9: 9,10,11
R10: 2,5,6,7
R11: 2,5,11
R12: 4,5,8 ($54)
*In the event of a scratch, the post-time favorite is the substitute pick.
TOTAL WAGERS: $144
BONUS BET
Race 9 TURFWAY PARK (9:55 p.m. ET/6:55 p.m. PT)
$175K JOHN BATTAGLIA MEMORIAL at 1 1/16 for 3YOs
Mr. Ed’s Selections:
WIN: #4 KILO TANGO (12-1)
PLACE: #1 STREET BEAST (5-2)
SHOW: #7 ATTFIELD (8-1)
