Gulfstream Park Picks for Saturday, January 17:
TRACKING MR. ED: When all was said and run at Gulfstream Park on Friday, many members of the jockey colony and a wide variety of trainers finished the 10-race card with no more than a single trip to the Winner’s Circle. HOF rider Javier Castellano, on board winners of both the first and last races, was the lone jockey with more than one winner, while no trainer scored more than a single victory. Saturday’s 11-race program is headlined by a pair of non-graded stakes. At the windows, the average $2 Win ticket returned $11.40. Post time for Race 1 is 12:20 p.m. ET. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections and ATS picks for the four NFL playoff contests.
Mr. Ed’s Selections for Saturday (1/17) at Gulfstream Park
Race 1 (12:20 p.m. ET/9:20 a.m. PT) — $36K CLAIMING for 4YOs & Up going 7½ furlongs on the turf
Starting his picks with a DD, Mr. Ed likes either of two: #4 COLONIAL SENSE (9-2 morning line) for young trainer Riley Mott with veteran rider Junior Alvarado on board, or #5 JENN’S BELIEFS (10-1) with Katie Davis riding for Kent Sweezey. Either one makes sense.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTIONS: $5 Daily Double of 4,5/8,9. ($20)
Race 2 (12:49 p.m. ET/9:49 a.m. PT) — $26K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 4YOs going 5½ furlongs on the Tapeda track
Mr. Ed completes his DD with either #8 FOUR BEACH FRIENDS (2-1 morning line) for veteran trainer Steve Dwoskin, or #9 LADATO (5-2) with Katie Davis returning to ride.
Race 3 (1:18 p.m. ET/10:18 a.m. PT) — $35K STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs going 6 furlongs
I like favorite #3 IL VAGABUNDO (2-1 morning line) for trainer Victor Barboza, Jr., with a big rider upgrade to Tyler Gaffalione. With the addition of Lasix, he seeks to repeat the last maiden-breaker.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (1:48 p.m. ET/10:48 a.m. PT) — $24.5K CLAIMING for 4YOs going 1 1/16-mile on the Tapeda track
Chalky pick is #5 SPIRIT OF THE LAW (8-5 morning line) for superior trainer Mike Maker and excellent rider Tyler Gaffalione. Seeking a second victory, the gelding takes a big class drop. Mr. Ed studied the law; the law won!
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 5 (2:18 p.m. ET/11:18 a.m. PT) — $84K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs going 1 1/16-mile on the grass
Mr. Ed’s betting on a trio: #3 CONGRESSIONAL (9-2 morning line) for Miguel Clement; #7 COMPREHENSIVE (7-2) for sharp trainer Brian Lynch, and #8 GONDORFF (10-1), first-timer for Danny Gargan, with Miguel Vasquez on board.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 3,7,8. ($30)
Race 6 (2:48 p.m. ET/11:48 a.m. PT) — $23.5K CLAIMING for fillies and mares going 5½-furlongs
There’s lots to like about #6 TINKI ABARRIO (8-5 morning line) for Carlos Perez barn with Edgar Perez riding. Class drop key to victory for son of Runhappy.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win & $10 Daily Double of 6/6. ($20)
Race 7 (3:18 p.m. ET/12:18 p.m. PT) — $27K CLAIMING for 4 YOs & Up going 1 mile & 70 yards on the Tapeda track
Mr. Ed likes a double shot of Perez, trainer and jockey, this time #6 NAVY CROSS (2-1 morning). Son of Uncle Mo completes DD.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 8 (3:48 p.m. ET/12:48 p.m. PT) — $86K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 4YOs & Up going a mile
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY is #2 TIME TO WIN (4-5 morning line) for the super pair of Chad Brown and Tyler Gaffalione. Repeat of 103 speed figure defeats the field. It’s about time!
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 9 (4:18 p.m. ET/1:18 p.m. PT) — $75K SUNSHINE TURF STAKES for FL-bred 4YOs going 1 1/16-mile
Stakes DD closes out the card for Mr. Ed. He likes two here: #3 ECHO LANE (9-2 morning line) for red-hot Rohan Crichton and #8 NEOEQUOS (6-1) for Saffie Joseph, Jr.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 3,8/4,5). ($20)
Race 10 (4:48 p.m. ET/1:48 p.m. PT) — $75K SUNSHINE SPRINT for FL-bred 4YOs & up going 6 furlongs
I like #4 NESHUME (4-1 morning line) for up-and-comer Laura Cazares with Edgard Zayas riding, and #5 MS. BUCCHERO (5-2 morning line) for solid trainer Diane Morici with Mario Gutierrez aboard.
TOTAL WAGERS: $140
MR. ED’s NFL PLAYOFF PICKS
BUF +1
SF +7.5
NE -3
LAR -3
