Mr. Ed’s Gulfstream Picks for Saturday, January 4:
THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY: Today’s fickle 11-race card can be best described as GOOD (Races 10-11); BAD (Races 5-9), and UGLY (Races 1-4). It’s a dog’s breakfast. With this in mind, Mr. Ed concentrated his New Year’s handicapping efforts on six contests, believing they are worth betting. Let’s take a look at Saturday’s Gulfstream selections.
Mr. Ed’s Selections for Saturday, January 4, at Gulfstream
Race 2 (12:49 p.m. ET/9:49 a.m. PT) —$25K MAIDEN CLAIMING for fillies, 3YOs & up going 5½ furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #5 MISS MITOLE (5-2 morning line). Change often improves the performance of young ladies. Choice is dropping in class and adding blinkers while getting Lasix for the first time. Speedy work says she’s ready.
GULFSTREAM PICK: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 6 (2:49 p.m. ET/11:49 a.m. PT) — $94K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs going a mile on the turf
I like #7 AFTER TAXES (5-2 morning line). Superior trainer of youngsters, Wesley Ward, stretches import out to a mile while adding Lasix. Sharp last Place finish impressed backsiders. HOFer Johnny Velazquez rides.
GULFSTREAM PICK: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 8 (3:47 p.m. ET/12:47 p.m. PT) — $50K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for FL-bred 3YOs going 6 1/2 furlongs
$.50 Pick 4
R8: 3,7,8,9
R9: 2,3,4,6,10
R10: 1,5,6,10
R11: 8,10 ($80)
Race 10 (4:52 p.m. ET/1:52 p.m. PT) — $165K MUCHO MACHO MAN for 3YOs going one mile
Mr. Ed likes #6 SEPTARIAN (3-1 morning line). Promising colt, trained by Chad Brown, seeks perfect 3 for 3 record after defeating a pair of weak fields in Maryland. Top jockey Gaffalione accepts mount.
GULFSTREAM PICK: $20 to Win. ($60)
Race 11 (5:22 p.m. ET/2:22 p.m. PT) — $165K GINGER BREW for 3YO fillies going a mile on turf
My choice is #10 NITROGEN (5-2 morning line) for trainer Mark Casse. When last seen, 0filly finished an excellent third in BC Juvenile Turf Fillies at Del Mar. Jose Ortiz is in town to repeat the ride. I also like #8 CIVETTA (3-1) with Irad Ortiz in saddle for conditioner Brendan Walsh.
GULFSTREAM PICK: $20 to Win & $10 Exacta Box. ($40)
TOTAL WAGERS: $130
PEGASUS PREVIEW: Several best-of-the-best thoroughbreds have been invited to participate in the $3 million G1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational, including Mystik Dan, White Abarrio, Rattle N Roll, Skippylongstocking, Senor Buscador, Saudi Crown and Locked. The classic race and a stellar undercard are scheduled to be run on Saturday, January 25, at Gulfstream Park.
