So, I have not been winning much lately, especially on dirt. Let’s do something that I think is different. Let’s look at Gulfstream’s eighth race here today. This race is a mile and a sixteenth on the synthetic track in their penultimate race of the day.
If you are reading this for the first time, I do hold myself accountable. I make fun of myself in different ways, like that opening paragraph. My friends have to hear me say how cold I am on the horses right now. Trust me, my Monday co-host Mike had to listen to me about it for about half an hour before we started the Monday stream.
Let’s see if a chance of surface will help me this afternoon and hopefully I can warm back up both the weather and my selections.
Gulfstream Park Race 8 – Starter Allowance/Optional Claiming
We do have a field of eight older horses going this afternoon. Favored in this race is the 8 Tidal Forces (8/5 morning line). He gets some class relief from the handicap race he ran at Gulfstream last month. He tried to tip out wide at the top of the stretch but there was way too much to do. This gelding likes to be closer to the pace and should be tough here.
The 4 K. C. Chief (5/2 ML) won last time out going longer on the synthetic. Usually he is like his 2024 namesake. He starts well and, in the end, loses badly. Okay, maybe that’s just a dig because my Eagles are Super Bowl champions. He is the speed of the race and can wire this field here.
If K. C. Chief is pressured, it will be because of the 5 Lord of War (8/1 ML). He also likes to go for the front, so might force the gelding next to him go faster than he wants.
The 6 Soulmate (6/1 ML) should be sitting right off of the two geldings who line up to his left in the gate. I’m expecting him to stalk the pace here today.
The 1 Morgan Point (6/1 ML) will race on the synthetic for the first time in almost three years. He faded last time out on the main track here at Gulfstream, but he can win this from off the pace as well.
Joe’s Pick
The 8 Tidal Forces is 3 for 4 on the Gulfstream Tapeta, and you can argue that the loss he had last time out was his connections shooting too high. The favorite is also 5 for 7 at today’s distance as well. It is hard to argue against those numbers.
I’ll take Tidal Forces here to get back on track with a win here this afternoon. He will enjoy the speed duel the most and win this race going away. I’ll call this 8-6-1-5 and my play is $20 to win on the 8. Best of luck everyone, and I will see you in the winner’s circle!
