Daily Racing Form expert handicapper and analyst Mike Welsch handicaps the Sunday, February 1 racing card at Gulfstream Park, including his projected 1-2-3 finishers. His best bet of the day comes from Race 8.
Also, view FREE DRF Past Performances for today’s Race of the Day.
BEST BET: Augustinian (eighth race)
Eighth Race
1. Augustinian
2. Wootun
3. Squire
AUGUSTINIAN back to the Tapeta, should sit a good trip stalking liking pace of WOOTUN after turning in solid try behind wire to wire winning stable mate I C Light on the turf in 3yo bow. Wootun adds blinkers, looks like the speed of the speed in this lineup if taking to the surface. Went well trying Tapeta for first time in recent a.m. trial. SQUIRE turns back to a sprint for first time since the Hollywood Beach, should have the best late kick of the bunch. Cannot ignore, especially if able to repeat that effort when finishing in front of top 3yo prospect Strategic Risk in the Affirmed.
Here are Mike’s thoughts on the other eight races on Saturday’s Gulfstream Park card.
First Race
1. Surfer’s Joy
2. Apache One Six
3. David Pepperman
Looking for some value right off the bat, will try SURFER’S JOY on the drop after prompting winner’s pace for nearly 6 furlongs in his local bow. Bounced back with a decent Tapeta drill, may be ready for best yet making third start of his form cycle. APACHE ONE SIX the logical choice but likely to be over-bet adding blinkers and with IRad taking the call. Also prompted pace of runaway and relatively well graded winner, this tag, to launch his 3-year-old campaign. DAVID PEPPERMAN comes off career bets from a Beyer standpoint on Tapeta and could benefit what figures to be a fairly lively pace scenario.
Second Race
1. Rebellution
2. Vekoma Velocity
3. If I Can Dream
REBELLUTION dueled, paid price late stages dropping for tag at second asking now returns to the main, adds Lasix and well posted on the outside assuming main track still favoring horses finishing outside down the lane. VEKOMA VELOCITY showed big improvement at second asking, drops again and the one to beat although like Apache One Six in opener, will be over-bet with Ortiz taking call for first time. IF I CAN DREAM knocking on door with this kind but a beaten favorite in each of last pair. Back to dirt today.
Third Race
1. World Traveler
2. Alta Calibre
3. Drum Roll
WORLD TRAVELER didn’t have the smoothest of trips when second best behind Drum Roll in pair’s previous encounter. Stays put off the claim for barn with high marks with new acquisitions. Can be along with cleaner sailing in rematch. ALTA CALIBRE looks like she could be worth a look at the price after making good middle move, flattening out late in promising inner course bow. Worked sharp main track half for return call with same kind. DRUM ROLL the obvious choice in her present form. Beat this same bunch rather easily four weeks earlier.
Fourth Race
1. Snowyte
2. Heavenly Sunset
3. Clairita
SNOWYTE freshened since huge effort in 3yo finale when finishing second in a super key race from which winner, third and fourth finishers all returned to win their next starts. Appears to be training forwardly for local bow and got to love the fact Irad sees fit to sign on. Perhaps too good for these if not needing one off the bench. HEAVENLY SUNSET returns from lengthy layoff off long series of works at Payson including bullet 5/8 on 1/11. Ran future G3 winner Clicquot to a close decision last spring in Kentucky. May not look back. CLAIRITA steps up in class off huge maiden win albeit over a wet track last fall at Churchill. Well posted outside, figures to sit a nice stalking trip from outset.
Fifth Race
1. Bombs Away
2. Bella’s Breeze
3. Miss Candy Girl
BOMBS AWAY debuts in a relatively weak spot off a couple of promising local gate drills. Obviously a question mark on the Tapeta but perhaps good enough at first asking with this bunch. BELLA’S BREEZE could not get by wire-to-wire winner Magic Colors after a game effort last time, but does return on relatively short rest off the grueling race. Must not bounce. MISS CANDY GIRL drops, may be ready for her best making third start of her form cycle.
Sixth Race
1. Jayana
2. Perfect Shances
3. Shesinamood
JAYANA a non-winning sort but does come off a strong try returning to this level last month when finishing in front of a pair of rivals who returns to win this same condition in their next starts. Hopefully can work out some kind of an outside trip from just off the likely pace of PERFECT SHANCES, who stays put off the claim but in the red-hot hands of leading trainer Carlos David. Obviously has her issues but still the one to fear if getting a mulligan off the long layoff for recent dud as 6-5 choice with similar. SHESINAMOOD switches to the main for first time, should be coming best at the end.
Seventh Race
1. Patrick’s Promise
2. Paris Surprise
3. Yankee Drummer
PATRICK’S PROMISE overmatched in all recent turf outings finally back at the N2L claiming level for just the second time, worth a try at a square price at this level. PARIS SURPRISE was very competitive against better last time, a race won in wire-to-wire fashion by Hammerstein. Not facing that kind here. YANKEE DRUMMER holding form very well at the present time. Just missed with same kind four weeks earlier.
Ninth Race
1. Operation Torch
2. Fly Erik Fly
3. Human Desire
OPERATION TORCH gets the nod in finale, getting another class drop after a decent showing vs. better on New Year’s Day. May have finally found his proper niche for this tag. FLY ERIK FLY turned in even try under similar conditions last time. Third start of current form cycle could be the charm. HUMAN DESIRE adds blinkers, gets ample class relief for top barn. Must respect with these.
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