We make what has become our usual Wednesday stop in 2025 so far as we head to Gulfstream Park for today’s featured race. Today, we have older horses going seven and a half furlongs on the turf today.
Gulfstream Park Race 8 – Optional Claiming
Favored in today’s race is the 7 Ice Chocolat (8/5 morning line). He makes his 2025 debut after he was last seen at Saratoga in June 2024. He has shown good works on the turf at Palm Meadows over the last couple of months. This gelding has run some of the biggest races over the last few years and looks to start this year with this race.
The 2 Classic Mo Town (10/1 ML) returns to the turf today after spending his last four races on synthetic at both Woodbine and here at Gulfstream. He also has shown turf ability at Woodbine and Gulfstream as well. He is an interesting play here today with his ability to close.
The 3 Johnny Podres (9/2 ML) makes his second start in Florida after spending his career in California is the first time in a long time that he has gone this far as he was used as a turf sprinter over the last couple of years. This may be a “teaching old dogs new tricks” scenario with some races at this distance years ago.
The 8 Tut’s Revenge (4/1 ML) makes his first start since September at Hawthorne were he tired in a turf stake there in Chicago. He returns here looking to start his nine-year-old season here today. Look for him to go for the lead and try to make every pole a winning one here today.
Joe’s Pick
We have an interesting race here with some familiar names like Johnny Podres. But I think that a strong closer will win this race, and Classic Mo Town is that closer. I’ll take him to win here in a bit of an upset. I’ll call this 2-8-3-7 and my play is $20 to win on the 2. Best of luck everyone and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!