Gulfstream Park Picks for Saturday, February 28:
TODAY AT GULFSTREAM: It’s Kentucky Derby prep season this weekend with trials at the Big A, Oaklawn Park and South Florida. Going into today’s 14-race card at Gulfstream. Keep your eyes on leading riders Irad Ortiz, Jr. and Tyler Gaffalione, who each have several mounts. And, don’t ignore hot-shot British import David Egan, who is booting home winners on a daily basis during his U.S. debut season. Those digging into today’s lengthy program will discover 10 quality stakes, including the $1 million G2 Fountain of Youth for 3YOs, two excellent maiden special weight contests and a $100K handicap.
HORSING AROUND IN MIAMI: In his seemingly endless search for the Fountain of Youth, elderly Mr. Ed returns to Gulfstream Park, where decades ago he spent afternoons earning a hard-knocks Certificate in Multi-Race Handicapping. It was time well spent. After all these years, the old guy knows a hell of a lot more about Thoroughbred racing than he does about Underwater Basket Weaving (his major at the U). His college course load also included English as a Second Language, Driver’s Ed (naturally), Advanced Mixology and Bridge. After last Saturday’s four-figure Pick 4 score here on VSiN, Mr. Ed believes his trackside education has served him and others well. As for today’s program, after all is said and run, including Mr. Ed’s picks, a clearer Derby picture will emerge. Today’s 14-race card has an early post of 11:30 a.m. ET/8:30 a.m. PT for the stakes-rich program. Here are Mr. Ed’s selections.
Mr. Ed’s Selections for Gulfstream Park, Saturday (2/28)
Race 1 — $86K OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 4YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s betting on a pair in Leg 1 of an early DD: #1 NOBLE CONFESSOR (5-1 morning line) for Todd Pletcher with Kendrick Carmouche returning in saddle, and #3 SMOOTH BREEZE (7-2) with big jockey upgrade to Irad Ortiz, Jr. for steady trainer Jorge Abreu. Either one fills the bill.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $5 Daily Doubles: 1,3/1,8. ($20)
Race 2 (12:01 p.m. ET/9:01 a.m. PT) — $84K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs going 6 furlongs
I like either one of two to complete DD: #1 SOVEREIGN LAW (4-1 morning line) for the powerful team of Brad Cox and Irad Ortiz, Jr., #8 QUENTIN B (7-2) with Corey Lanerie riding for U.S. Senate hopeful and popular trainer, Dale Romans. Looking for improved effort.
Race 3 (12:32 p.m. ET/9:32 a.m. PT) — $200K COLONEL LIAM STAKES for 3YOs going a mile on the grass
Mr. Ed’s pick is #4 HONEY DUTCH (3-1 morning line) for favorite trainer Whit Beckman, looking for first win at meet. Blinkers go on as Irad Ortiz, Jr. returns. Speedy colt may never be headed.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 6 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $200K G3 HERECOMESTHEBRIDE STAKES for 3YO fillies going a mile on the turf
I like classy gal #9 SISTER TROIENNE (6-5 morning line), winner of five in a row, for trainer Brian Lynch with Mario Gutierrez aboard. Fast works say she’s ready.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 7 (2:34 p.m. ET/11:34 a.m. PT) — $225K GULFSTREAM PARK MILE for 4YOs & Up
Mr. Ed likes chalky #6 KNIGHTSBRIDGE (1-5 morning line) making grass debut after going 5 of 7 on dirt for the team of Bill Mott and Junior Alvarado. Turf city, here he comes.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 8 (3:04 p.m. ET/12:04 p.m. PT) — $87K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 4YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
My pick is #8 BURNHAM SQUARE (5-1 morning line) for crafty trainer Ian Wilkes, who brings Edgard Zayas back to ride. Million-dollar-earner adds Lasix while looking for first turf win. Doubt if odds hold up.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 9 (3:34 p.m. ET/12:34 p.m. PT) — $100K HANDICAP for 4YOs & Up going 1 mile & 70 yards on the Tapeda surface
My longshot of the day is #4 CLASSIC MO TOWN (10-1 morning line) for savvy trainer Martin Drexler, who hires hot-shot jock David Egan to ride. I like his chances to triumph over a lackluster field.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 11 (4:34 p.m. ET/1:34 p.m. PT) — $.50 Pick 4*
R11: 7,8,9
R12: 9,10
R13: 3,5,6
R14: 3,4,7,10 ($36)
*In the event of a scratch, the posttime favorite is the substitute pick.
Race 13 (5:36 p.m. ET/2:36 p.m. PT) — $225K G2 MAC DIARMIDA STAKES for 4YOs & up going 1 ⅜-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes a two of three for the money: #3 LAYABOUT (5-2 morning line) for smooth trainer Patrick Biancone, who retains British-import jockey David Egan following win; #5 GRAND SONATA (3-1) for powerful Pletcher-Gaffalione team, and #6 ANEGADA (9-2) for overdue Mike Maker and Irad Ortiz, Jr.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 14 (6:11 p.m. ET/3:11 p.m. PT) — $425K G2 FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH STAKES for 3YOs going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed’s top pick is the never-headed #10 SOLITUDE DUDE (5-1 morning line) for all-star trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., who switches riders to Flavien Prat. With a pair of sharp scores over the Gulfstream oval, dominant Dude needs to maintain his speed while stretching out. Others to use are #3 TALKIN (15-1), #4 COMMANDMENT (2-1), and #7 NAPOLEON SOLO (7-2).
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win & $5 Exacta Box of 10/3,4,7. ($40)
TOTAL WAGERS: $206
RETURN TO OAKLAWN PARK: Mr. Ed takes his pen & PPs back to Hot Springs, AK, on Sunday for a 12-race card, featuring the Derby prep R12 $1,000,000 REBEL STAKES. Several top jocks will also make the trek over to Oaklawn Park, including Flavien Prat, Irad Ortiz, Jr., Johnny Velasquez and Javier Castellano, all of whom have mounts in THE REBEL. First post is 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT.
