Mr. Ed’s Gulfstream Picks for Sunday, February 2:
TRACKING MR. ED: There’s nothing quite like cashing a Daily Double ticket, followed by a Best Bet easy winner to get one’s horse-playing juices flowing. After Saturday’s early success, I pressed today’s plays near my self-imposed $200/card limit. While today’s nine-race program fails to match Saturday’s stakes bonanza, I identified several plays worth pursuing. As for Saturday standouts, red-hot rider Luis Saez had a four-Win day, followed by Edgar Zayas and Johnny Velazquez with two scores apiece. Saez has six live mounts today. And make note, when was the last time Irad Ortiz Jr. and Tyler Gallalione had a single Win between them over the past two days? The average Win payoff for nine races (after pitching a pair of outliers) was slightly more than $10 a ticket. Now, let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s Sunday Gulfstream picks.
Mr. Ed’s Selections at Gulfstream for Sunday, February 2
Race 1 (12:20 p.m. ET/9:20 a.m. PT) — $30.5K MAIDEN CLAIMING 3YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile on turf
Mr. Ed likes any two of three to kick off the card: #1 WINEGOLD (9-2 morning line) for overdue trainer Kenny McPeak who moves up colt with Dylan Davis aboard; #4 WANNABEELOVED (2-1) for hot trainer Jose D’Angelo with Luis Saez returning to ride, and #12 WAR COMMANDER (4-1), first-time Lasix with second-time Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle.
GULFSTREAM PICK: $5 Exacta Box of 1,4,12. ($30)
Race 3 (1:18 p.m. ET/10:18 a.m. PT) — $26K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on Tapeta
I like #5 GET READY TO ROCK (5-2 morning line) for Danny Gargan’s barn with Luis Saez on board to return to the Winner’s Circle. Great sire + favorite trainer + excellent jockey = Win ticket. Rock on.
GULFSTREAM PICK: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 5 (2:19 p.m. ET/11:19 a.m. PT) — $23K CLAIMING for fillies and mares 4YOs up going a mile and 70 yards on Tapeta
Mr. Ed likes #5 MAKIA (7-2 morning line), who drops in for hot trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. Top rider Irad Ortiz Jr. a big upgrade and overdue for a score. A winning combination.
GULFSTREAM PICK: $10 to Win. ($10)
Races 7-9 (3:19 p.m. ET/12:19 p.m. PT) — $1 Pick 3
R7: 1,4,5,7
R8: ALL
R9: 8,9 ($48)
Race 7 (3:19 p.m. ET/12:19 p.m. PT) — $97K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 4YOs & Up going 5 furlongs on turf
I like #5 XY SPEED (9-5 morning line). He’s the speed of the speed for veteran trainer Michael Lerman, who rehires fast-breaking Paco Lopez to ride.
GULFSTREAM BEST PICK: $20 to Win & $5 Exacta Boxes with 1,4,7. ($50)
Race 8 (3:49 p.m. ET/12:49 p.m. PT) — $97K ALLOWANCE for 3YO fillies going 1 1/16-mile on Tapeta
My choice is #5 HELLO HELLO HELLO (7-2 morning line) for savvy conditioner Ron Spatz with big rider upgrade to Tyler Gaffalione vs. very competitive field. Hello winner!
GULFSTREAM PICK: $10 to Win & $5 Exacta Boxes with 3,4. ($30)
Race 9 (3:49 p.m. ET/12:49 p.m. PT) — $94K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT fillies and mares 4YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on turf
I like #8 DIFERENCIA 6-1 morning line), who is the top jockey’s lone mount on the card, and #9 QUEEN OF NAPLES (3-1) for the powerful Walsh-Gaffalione team. Either one’s just alright with me.
GULFSTREAM PICK: $10 Exacta Box ($20)
TOTAL WAGERS: $198
SUPER BOWL BET:
Parlay of KC on the money line and Over 49.5 points
Good luck to all. Look for Mr. Ed’s picks again next Friday.
