Daily Racing Form expert handicapper and analyst Scott Ehlers handicaps the Monday, August 10 racing card at Gulfstream Park, including his projected 1-2-3 finishers. His best bet of the day comes from Race 3.
Also, view FREE DRF Past Performances for today’s Race of the Day.
BEST BET: Flying Chief (3rd race)
Third Race
1. Flying Chief
2. Holy Cow
3. Rudi
FLYING CHIEF is by a 5% debut sire. His dam went 31-3-4-2 and earned 55K (35K on the turf). We like older horses making their debut, so this 4YO fits that criteria. Team Sweezey are 13% with their debut maidens and they own a flat bet profit. An outside post rounds out the appeal. HOLY COW ran better off the layoff and now puts three route races together. This gelding gets in super light and might prefer the synth to recent turf race. RUDI did try tougher earlier in his career. Works are rock solid.
Here are Scott’s thoughts on the other seven races on Monday’s Gulfstream Park card.
First Race
1. More Power to You
2. Lord Henry
3. Caribbean Comet
MORE POWER TO YOU is by a 4% debut turf sire. His dam was unraced. Two of three sibs won on the grass and both beat winners (211K (won turf debut) and 100K). This colt showed a little speed in his first two starts and now adds distance, which should help front-end chances. The blinkers go ON just in case, while a pair of recent works is just right. LORD HENRY ran evenly in his debut going short on the green. We like that connections waste little time finding this guy a route of ground. This rail draw is a bonus, while team Orseno are 14% with their 2nd-time maidens (flat bet profit). CARIBBEAN COMET is by a 0 for 4 debut sire (2YO’s only) and a 0 for 1 debut turf sire. His dam went 11-2-1-1 for 76K and won its 2YO debut (75K on the grass, won turf debut). Lone sib is 5-1-0-0 for 14K (1-0-0-0 on the green). Few are better than team Biancone with their debut maidens or turfers (20% and 35% respectively). Works are plentiful. WIN JET WIN is by a 13% debut turf sire. His dam went 1-0-0-0 on the green. One of five sibs won on the sod with another having hit the board. THE SEVENTH KING is by a 9% debut turf sire. His dam went 6-3-1-1 on the grass and banked 28K. One of three sibs won on the green. FURIOUS AGENDA is by a 7% debut sire (2YO’s only) and an 8% debut turf sire. His dam went 15-1-1-3 for 54K (2-0-0-0 on the sod). This is her first foal.
Second Race
1. Nenas Star
2. Lioness Lillian
3. Bundalay
NENAS STAR looks quickest to the first call today, and that could mean an early breather is in order. This filly puts three races together and even has some back class. A poor start cost her all chance last out. LIONESS LILLIAN made a nice middle move last out only to tire late. Perhaps that effort is better than it looks. Now she goes second time on the synth while returning to a sprint. Team Ubide are 2 for 5 on the Tapeta while regular rider tags along. BUNDALAY has speed, but we think our top pick is quicker. This filly draws outside after back-to-back starts on the inside. Her most recent was rock solid, and she is probably the one to beat in this race.
Fourth Race
1. To Joey
2. Noble Prince
3. Taparino
TO JOEY just figures. He draws fine and ran great in his prior two races going this flat mile distance. He has tactical speed to help the trip and goes for a barn that is 30% with their repeating winners. Facing first-time winners isn’t that big a deal at this level. NOBLE PRINCE caught a good track in three consecutive races before the layoff. On a fast dirt, he is 5-1-1-3 while only 3-0-0-0 on an off track. He sheds 8 pounds and figures second or third choice on the tote. TAPARINO is the pick only if the umbrellas come out. His best efforts have come going this distance.
Fifth Race
1. Image
2. Four Courts
3. Wheelhouse
IMAGE is by a 10% debut turf sire. His dam won her only turf start and banked 21K in the process. This is her first grass foal. This colt ran better in his second start. He has some speed and gets in light today, which could sharpen his early zip. We like this barn and think they have found a good spot for a horse that should love a turf sprint. FOUR COURTS just ran better and now tries a turf sprint for the first time. His 402 distance Tommy bodes well. If you toss that turf route two back, then he looks even better. WHEELHOUSE has hit the board in half of his twelve starts. He tries a turf sprint for the first time today. Second time with team Joseph could help, and we spy a slew of works since his return. DON’T GO ASTRAY is by a 0-for-3 debut turf sire. His dam went 27-1-6-2 on the grass and earned 70K. One of four sibs won on the sod. MR. AVENTUS is by a 5% debut turf sire. His dam was unraced, and this is her first grass foal.
Sixth Race
1. Sum of Success
2. It’s Smoking
3. Spicy Taco
SUM OF SUCCESS got an 80 Beyer in his debut, and that tops this field. He broke 6th of 8 in his debut but still went right to the front end, where he never looked back. He just worked a bullet on the 1st and now catches a stakes race with an average pace. Win rider stays put, but alas this barn is 0 for 21 in stakes. IT’S SMOKING broke 6th of 7 in his debut but then passed runners to win. He draws best today with this outside post. There are at least three speed horses in this race, so his ability to pass runners might come in handy, all for a barn that is 2 for 4 in stakes. SPICY TACO had a poor trip in his debut but won nonetheless. What happens with a clean race? Here is another that draws more outside today and can pass runners.
Seventh Race
1. Kokomo Kitty
2. Camber
3. Hello Poochy Lou
KOKOMO KITTY is by a 16% debut sire. Her dam went 22-5-2-1 and earned 111K. All 6 sibs won, including 5 that beat winners (138K, 596K, 218K, 175K (won 2YO debut), and 67K). Reyes often rides for team D’Angelo and this barn is 12% with their debut runners. We actually like this debut distance of 7 furlongs as only a fit horse would try it. CAMBER tried two turns on the grass in her debut and that is a tough spot. She ran great when 2nd at 5-1. Isn’t this filly better suited for the dirt? We like this cut back while distance Tommy bodes well at 387. HELLO POOCHY LOU has speed. Depending on what the first-time starters do, she could find the front end. She gets in light again and adds a full furlong today. FORGOTTEN ABOUT is by a 17% debut sire. Her dam went 6-1-1-0 and earned 56K. Lone sibling is 6-1-1-1 for 25K. This rail draw for a debut is a bit of bad luck.
Eighth Race
1. Defiant Lass
2. Spicy Princess
3. City Minute
DEFIANT LASS has never run poorly in her four-race career. Her return try was good, and we love today’s added distance. Second time in South Florida is a big plus. Recent works are perfect while race flow more than fair. SPICY PRINCESS ran evenly off the layoff and now gets Lasix for only the third time. Fast works continue. We like that Herrera keeps the faith. A good barn calls the shots and team Biancone are 23% second off this type of layoff. CITY MINUTE has some speed and draws inside. Is she the one to catch? She gets back to the turf where she ran just fine only two and three back. Why only one recent work?
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