We stay at Gulfstream Park for today’s featured race. Like yesterday we are on the turf for race 5 of their card. But today, we have older horses going one mile on the turf course. A field of ten is entered today.
Race 5 – Allowance Optional Claiming
Favored in today’s race is the 8 Royal Majesty (5/2 morning line). He is racing for the first time in three months where we was last seen in the Hill Prince Stakes at Aqueduct. This four-year-old colt has been close in all but one race here in America after starting his career in the UK. He is a closer and if things set up for him today, he will be closing like a freight train here.
The 6 Zverev (8/1 ML) races for the first time in five months today, last seen at Colonial Downs in the Virginia Derby. He was gelded since the last start and his trainer is very good with horses with this time of a layoff. He might need this race, but I wouldn’t throw him out either.
The 2 Degree of Risk (4/1 ML) closed well last time out here at Gulfstream Park and finished third. He returns today looking to improve on that result. Some may toss him because he is 2 for 21 lifetime, but he likes this distance hitting the board four of six tries and has hit the board 9 of 15 times on the green.
The 10 Drum Roll Please (15/1 ML) returns after a three-month break. He was briefly on the Kentucky Derby trail after his Jerome win a year ago at Aqueduct, then got injured in training. In his return, this colt showed nothing at Parx in September then November here at Gulfstream. He makes his turf debut for a new trainer but his mother Imply won five of 10 career races on the grass with three seconds. This might be a walk up call for this four-year-old colt.
Joe’s Pick
I am swinging for the fences here. I think that some people might ignore Drum Roll Please, and rightfully so. He showed little in his two return races. But the dam running well on the turf might be something I can reach for here to get a winer at a very nice price.
I’m calling this race 10-8-2-6 and my play is $20 win on the 10. Best of luck everyone and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!