By Joe Quillen
Saturday 12/23/23 – Gulfstream Park Race 10
Another Quills Picks Winners article, and another race to look at here as we will look at the Mr. Prospector Stakes, a Grade 3 race going 7 furlongs on the main track. Weather will be fine, so no need to worry about an off track. Post time for the Saturday feature is an estimated 4:36 pm ET.
Seven furlong races are always interesting because you have horses that are stretching out from a classic sprint distance of 6 furlongs, while other horses are shortening up from a route distance of a mile or more, usually going from two turns to one. So this should be an interesting race to handicap.
There are plenty excuses for the 7 Gilmore (4/1 morning line). He caught a very sloppy track at Parx in the Pennsylvania Derby, and maybe how far he can run was nearing his personal limit. But he’s back from a three month break with a trainer who wins 21% of the time with horses going from a route to a sprint distance. If he runs like the race two back at Saratoga, he should be stalking on the outside ready to pounce when he turns for home.
The 1 Great Navigator (3/1 ML) is also coming back from a near three month rest after finishing second to Cody’s Wish at this distance. He will be close to the pace here.
Wifromwithin (#4, 10/1 ML), #5 Hurricane J (9/2 ML) and the 9 Sibelius (5/2 ML favorite) appear to be the speed in this race. I could also see the 9 stalking on the outside of these other two horses mentioned. The 8 Long Range Toddy (8/1 ML) comes off a four month break and looks to be forwardly placed here as well. The 6 Dreaming of Kona (15/1 ML) may not win this, but he might get a piece at a price here.
I’m going 7-9-1-8 in the Mr. Prospector, and the play is $10 to win on the 7. Good luck everyone, and we got one more race before taking the day off for Christmas. Good luck everyone!
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