The 200-point races, where the winner of these races will get 100 points towards the Kentucky Oaks and Derby continue today. One stop we will make is down to South Florida and Gulfstream Park. They have the Gulfstream Park Oaks which is the ninth race on the card. And then we will go to the 14th and final as the boys run in the Florida Derby.
Note that Tyler Gaffalione and Junior Alvarado are off all mounts. Gaffalione broke his ankle on Wednesday while Alvarado suffered a broken shoulder blade last weekend.
Gulfstream Park Race 9 – Gulfstream Park Oaks (Grade 2)
We begin with the Gulfstream Park Oaks, and we have three-year-old fillies going a mile and a sixteenth. Note that in the last month or so, they moved the gate back some to allow horses a little more real estate before hitting the first turn. But that should not matter much with only seven fillies entered in this Grade 2 race.
Favored in the Oaks is the 4 Five G (8/5 morning line). She finished second to Quietside in the Honeybee at Oaklawn Park last month. This filly wants to be forwardly placed like she was in her last two dirt races. She was stubborn in defeat but had to use a ton of energy at the start of the race having the far outside post. Today’s post won’t be an issue with a small field and drawing the 4 post.
The 3 The Queens M G (9/5 ML) won the Davona Dale four weeks ago here and will make her first attempt around two turns here today. She was not far off the pace and took over to win. She will be tested here today with Five G right next to her.
The 2 Early On (15/1 ML) broke her maiden going today’s distance at Gulfstream two races back. Two weeks ago, this filly closed well despite trouble at the start of the race to miss by half a length. The quick turnaround might be an issue, but she can close here today.
The 6 Cassiar (5/1 ML) won her debut at Tampa Bay Downs last month and gets to jump into the deep end of the pool here today. She is a filly that should love longer races. What she gives up in experience might be made up in her breeding to go a route distance.
Joe’s Gulfstream Oaks Pick
I am thinking that the two favorites could burn each other out on the front end here today. Early On had some issues at the start, but she showed she can definitely handle the longer races. I was waxing poetic about Fondly winning the Virginia Oaks two weeks ago, and I think Early On can run her race even though there is a short turn around here. I think Early On gets a nice set up at a very nice price to win this and earn her spot in the Kentucky Oaks.
I’m calling this race 2-4-3-6 and my play is $20 to win on the 2.
Gulfstream Park Race 14 – Florida Derby (Grade 1)
After a few races on the turf and a sprint race on the dirt, we reach the finale of a monster 14-race card at Gulfstream. This is the final leg of Florida’s Road to the Derby, as we have 10 horses going a mile and an eighth on the main track.
Note that we do have two jockey changes necessitated from the jockey injures I mentioned earlier. The 8 Madaket Road (7/2 ML) loses Tyler Gafflione and picks up Mike Smith. Bob Baffert ships this colt east to see if he can get him in the Derby via this race. He could not hold off Coal Battle, who runs later today in the Arkansas Derby. Baffert’s colt can run on the lead or off the pace here. But he is in one of those outside posts that you don’t want to be in for this race.
The favored Sovereignty (10, 8/5 ML) loses regular rider Junior Alvarado and picks up Manny Franco. This colt is second race off of the layoff, which was an impressive closing rush to win the Fountain of Youth four weeks ago. Look for him to run that same kind of race and try to get over towards the rail from the back of the pack and make a huge run again.
The 9 Tappan Street (5/1 ML) finished second to Burnham Square in the Holy Bull here at Gulfstream in February. He will be right behind the speed horses in this race and look to take over in the stretch.
The 4 Disruptor (4/1 ML) tries two turns for the first time after breaking his maiden here four weeks ago here at Gulfstream impressively. He has the pedigree to get nine furlongs here today and could earn his trip to Louisville as well.
Joe’s Pick
There is a ton of speed in this race. This could set up nicely for Sovereignty. With the blinkers off and Mike Smith getting the emergency call to ride today, look for Madaket Road to win today.
I’m calling this race 8-4-10-9 and my play is $20 to play on the 8. Best of luck everyone and I will see you in the winner’s circle!
