Gulfstream Park: Florida Derby Caps Marathon 14 Race Card

The Florida Derby from Gulfstream Park will go off as race 14 on Saturday. The race will all but guarantee the winner the chance to run in the Kentucky Derby.

Florida Derby Analysis

Gulfstream Park Race 14

Post: 6:38 PM ET; Purse: $1,000,000 Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa, 1 1/8 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 11

• #2 CLASSIC CAUSEWAY (7-2) still has something to prove, but this one loves to win races on the front end and that is always dangerous at Gulfstream.
• #3 SIMPLIFICATION (5-2) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & pace numbers.
• #5 PAPPACAP (10-1) is worth a look here given edges in form & breeding
• #7 WHITE ABARRIO (3-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.

Selections: 2-3-5-7

Florida Derby Undercard Analysis

Gulfstream Park Race 1

Post: 11:30 AM ET; Purse: $24,000 Claiming, About 1 Mile 70 Yards on All Weather Track; Entries: 9

• #9 MYSTERY BANK (5-2) looks tough to beat here given the edge in a number of key categories including top connections & class.
• #6 LONG BEACH KID (7-2) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & form.
• #1 PAPA HONOR (9-2) could be a likely board hitter in this spot.
• #7 FARLEY (5-1) gets Jose Ortiz for Antonio Sano which is a solid duo to have behind you.

Selections: 9-6-1-7

Gulfstream Park Race 2

Post: 11:59 AM ET; Purse: $54,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 5 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 14

• #8 GRAINGER COUNTY (5-1) is worth a look here given edges in early pace. This one also has the top overall power rating
• #5 MAI TY ONE ON (7-2) has speed figures in line with many of these
• #7 HENRY'S WORLD (9-2) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & form.
• #3 RICHY (3-1) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts.

Selections: 8-5-7-3

Gulfstream Park Race 3

Post: 12:28 PM ET; Purse: $150,000 Orchid S., 1 1/2 Miles on Turf; Entries: 7

• #6 BEAUTIFUL LOVER (3-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating.
• #7 FAMILY WAY (2-1) could get a perfect pace scenario today.
• #2 HARAJUKU (9-5) merits consideration in this spot given edges in stamina & form.
• #5 CHAMPAGNE IVY (15-1) has been good at this distance on the turf course in the past.

Selections: 6-7-2-5

Gulfstream Park Race 4

Post: 12:57 PM ET; Purse: $60,000 Maiden Special Weight, About 1 Mile 70 Yards on All Weather Track; Entries: 9

• #1 ALLEGORICAL (6-1) has the top energy distribution in the group. This can be a big factor on the tapeta surface.
• #5 QUALITY G (9-5) should be well bred for this and has the best speed figures to boot.
• #8 HALL OF DREAMS (5-1) is another with suitable breeding here.
• #2 MY ROMEO LIMA (9-2) goes out for Todd Pletcher with his ace pilot Luis Saez.

Selections: 1-5-8-2

Gulfstream Park Race 5

Post: 1:27 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Cutler Bay S., 1 1/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 8

• #5 MAIN EVENT (2-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & recent form.
• #2 SMOKIN' T (7-2) is in with a great chance based on the horse's stamina & power rating.
• #8 RED DANGER (5-2) merits consideration in this spot given the most recent speed figures.
• #3 GOOCH GO BRAGH (8-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's early pace numbers.

Selections: 5-2-8-3

Gulfstream Park Race 6

Post: 1:57 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Ghostzapper S., 1 1/8 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 7

• #4 FEARLESS (4-5) has to be respected in this field given the edge in a number of key categories including form & class.
• #6 GREATEST HONOUR (3-1) is probably the next most likely winner after the top choice.
• #7 TWELVE VOLT MAN (12-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.
• #1 COMMANDEER (8-1) is an interesting long shot to hit the board in here with Tyler G in the saddle.

Selections: 4-6-7-1

Gulfstream Park Race 7

Post: 2:27 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Sand Springs S. Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, 1 1/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 8

• #3 STOLEN HOLIDAY (5-2) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating.
• #5 STUNNING PRINCESS (3-1) has to be respected based on the connections.
• #1 TRAFFIC SONG (7-2) is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & race flow.
• #7 SUGAR FIX (6-1) goes out for the Saffie Joseph barn. He is a trainer that has a shot in every Gulfstream Park race he enters.

Selections: 3-5-1-7

Gulfstream Park Race 8

Post: 3:01 PM ET; Purse: $60,000 Maiden Special Weight, 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 11

• #8 FRIPPET (3-1) looks formidable here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & class.
• #2 INVENTING (5-1) gets Irad in the saddle for Pletcher and seems well meant here. It matters to me that Saez sticks with the 8
• #7 INVITING (8-1) has experience under the belt which is helpful.
• #5 TACHLIS (30-1) has no business winning, but Leparoux can give some sneaky good rides on longshots. I like this one for a little underneath value.

Selections: 8-2-7-5 (Best Bet: #8 FRIPPET)

Gulfstream Park Race 9

Post: 3:37 PM ET; Purse: $200,000 Pan American S. Presented by Rood & Riddle, 1 1/2 Miles on Turf; Entries: 7

• #3 GUFO (9-5) is one of my favorite turf horses over the last couple of years and has a great shot in the race given the speed & class.
• #6 TEMPLE (5-2) is in great form of late and Maker is as good as they come at training turf runners in Florida.
• #2 MID DAY IMAGE (12-1) could get a perfect pace scenario today.
• #5 ABAAN (8-5) makes sense in the race. This one is probably being a little unfairly judged after he failed to fire the last time I needed him. Divorce papers have been signed on this runner so I can put him no better than 4th.

Selections: 3-6-2-5

Gulfstream Park Race 10

Post: 4:09 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Sir Shackleton S. Presented by New Holland, 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 9

• #2 QUICK TEMPO (7-2) has to be respected today edging the field in several key handicapping factors including class & pace numbers.
• #1 FORTIN HILL (5-2) is worth a look here given edges in connections & record at the distance.
• #4 WEYBURN (10-1) is a name familiar to those who followed Kentucky Derby trails past. His speed figures make him a player.
• #5 GIROLAMO'S ATTACK (8-1) could get a perfect pace scenario today.

Selections: 2-1-4-5

Gulfstream Park Race 11

Post: 4:43 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Sanibel Island S. Presented by US Foods, 1 1/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 10

• #1 MISCHIEVOUS KISS (2-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating.
• #8 AMBITIEUSE (6-1) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts.
• #9 MY PHILLY TWIRL (9-2) is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & pace numbers.
• #2 BEECHNUT TROPHY (4-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.

Selections: 1-8-9-2

Gulfstream Park Race 12

Post: 5:17 PM ET; Purse: $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks, 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 7

• #7 KATHLEEN O. (4-5) looks formidable here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & class.
• #3 AMANI'S IMAGE (20-1) has to be respected based on the connections and could add some value underneath in this spot.
• #5 GODDESS OF FIRE (9-5) may actually benefit from being inside of the favorite. This one wouldn’t be a total shocker.
• #2 CATICHE (6-1) may be able to get on the lead and I’m not sure anyone will go with. Maybe as lone speed this one runs and hides.

Selections: 7-3-5-2

Gulfstream Park Race 13

Post: 5:55 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Kitten's Joy Appleton S., 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 9

• #7 PHANTOM CURRENCY (3-1) looks tough to beat here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & class.
• #9 ENGLISH BEE (7-2) is worth a look here given edges in form & power rating.
• #1 NOBLE INDY (12-1) may be forced to take a flyer from the gate and if that happens could be a threat to hold on late.
• #4 ORDER AND LAW (12-1) should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done.

Selections: 7-9-1-4

Gulfstream Park Race 14

Post: 6:38 PM ET; Purse: $1,000,000 Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa, 1 1/8 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 11

• Florida Derby analysis provided above.

Selections: 2-3-5-7

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