We return to where Bleacher Brothers and Also Eligible were on Saturday as we will look at the seventh race on Gulfstream Park’s Wednesday card. We have a short field of six older horses going seven furlongs on the main track in today’s featured race.
Gulfstream Park Race 7 – Allowance Optional Claiming
Favored in today’s race is the 2 Dilger (7/5 morning line). He returns from a four-month layoff when he was last seen at Churchill Downs. When he was last seen, this colt took over mid-stretch but could not hold on to the lead that day. He returns running at the same distance as the Harrods Creek Stakes there with a trainer that won the Pegasus on Saturday.
The 6 Into Pleasure (9/5 ML) broke his maiden last month here at Gulfstream and was gelded after that. He improved immensely from his first start as he stalked then took over. He will look to make it two in a row here today.
The 3 Great Lilo (5/1 ML) may have bounced last time out after facing winners for the first time last month here at Gulfstream. But you could argue that he did have some trouble here as he had his head turned at the start and then ran four-wide. He also gets a positive jockey change here with John Velazquez riding today. This gelding could be on the lead here.
The 4 Awesome Beast (6/1 ML) returned to the races three weeks ago here at Gulfstream and closed willingly in his return. He had a similar start back in May here closing to win going away despite getting bumped around. The second race off of the layoff should give him a chance to win here as would a clean trip from the first steps out of the gate.
Joe’s Pick
Despite the short field, this race is interesting. I am tempted to take the first-time gelding Into Pleasure who won last time out. Instead, I am taking Awesome Beast who had some issues last time out, but it is a very good sign that he returns in three weeks after being sidelined for almost eight months.
I will call this race 4-6-2-3 and my play is $20 to win on the 4. Best of luck everyone and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
QPW News Desk
Delaware Park announced that their signature race, the Delaware Handicap, will be moved from its usual July spot on the calendar to the end of September. The race will run this year on September 28, which would make this race a Breeders’ Cup prep race.
Also, according to matt Hegarty of the Daily Racing Form, the race will be shortened for the second time in three years from a mile and three-sixteenths distance the last two years to a mile and an eighth in 2025.
Delaware Park also announced that they will run a new stakes race, the Delaware Derby, which will complement the Delaware Oaks. Those races will run on June 14.