We get out of the cold and head south to Gulfstream Park for today’s featured race. Today, we have eight three-year-old fillies going five furlongs on the Tapeta surface in this optional claiming race.
Gulfstream Park Race 8 – Optional Claiming
Favored in today’s featured race is the 2 Patriotic War (9/5 morning line). He comes into today’s race after not doing much in the Clarendon Stakes at Woodbine. It’s important to note that she faced the boys in that race. She returns to face fillies here after being wide last time out.
The 3 Laurice (5/2 ML) returns from a three-month break last running at Aqueduct in October. She will be near the front, but she did tire last time out. After two races on the turf, she will be on the synthetic for the first time today.
The 1 Mattinata (4/1 ML) broke her maiden last time out at this distance on the Tapeta here at Gulfstream Park. She gunned to the lead and never looked back in that race last month. There is a bit of a concern in my eyes because her speed figures jumped last time. Will she put together another race like that or will he bounce? Only time will tell.
The 4 Sweet Sash (10/1 ML) returns to the Tapeta at Gulfstream after facing stakes company at Gulfstream about five or six weeks ago. She went for the lead and steadily dropped back. She also shortens up two and a half furlongs here to the distance she broke her maiden. If she stalks today like she did in September, she could win this at a nice price.
Joe’s Pick
It does look like there is a lot of front-end speed for today’s race. It looks like Laurice is the fastest of the front runners and looks like she can go gate to wire here in her Gulfstream and synthetic track debut. Sweet Sash could steal this race if she is able to stalk.
But I think being fast here is dangerous and I’ll take Laurice to win this race. I’ll call this 3-4-2-1 and my play is $20 to win on the 3. Best of luck everyone and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!