Gulfstream Park: Forte Florida Derby, Kentucky Derby Favorite

The Derby trail is often rife with horses that posses brilliance. The 2023 preps does not appear to fit the mold. Two year old champion, Forte has been the only steady presence with any brilliance. He is favored in the Florida Derby from Gulfstream Park, but will have to overcome a wide post.

Gulfstream Park- Race 1

Post: 11:30 AM ET; $84k Maiden Special Weight going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 13

• #8 I'M A SURE THING (3-1) gets the top selection. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Clement and Zayas. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #13 LITERATE (5-1) looks to be the class of the field. This one has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #6 MILLENNIUM PARK (12-1) has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed. This one is well bred for this spot.
• #2 OGEMA BAY (20-1) is a price horse and seems to be running for the minor placings in this contest.

Selections: 8 – 13- 6 – 2

Gulfstream Park- Race 2

Post: 11:59 AM ET; $50k Maiden Optional Claiming going 5 1/2 furlongs on all weather track; Entries: 12

• #12 AWESOME CRUSADER (5-1) is the top pick. He should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #2 STERLING HARMONY (4-1) has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #6 JERRY'S TURN (6-1) seems to fit well enough here. This one will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #11 RACKET (12-1) is a price horse and well bred for this spot.

Selections: 12- 2 – 6 – 11

Gulfstream Park- Race 3

Post: 12:28 PM ET; $100k Cutler Bay S. going 7 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 9

• #3 HARRY TIME (3-1) looks best here. He has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed. This one shouldn't have trouble with the 7 1/2 furlong distance.
• #6 DUNEDIN (5-1) makes sense on speed figures. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #7 SMOKE LIGHTENING (12-1) will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #5 SPY NOVEL (4-1) makes sense on speed figures. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.

Selections: 3 – 6 – 7 – 5

Gulfstream Park- Race 4

Post: 12:57 PM ET; $86k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 9

• #4 DR. BLUTE (4-1) gets the top selection. He will likely be out on or near the lead and will look to hold off the charge to the wire. This one makes sense on speed figures.
• #9 BRIGHT FUTURE (2-1) shouldn't have trouble with the 1 mile distance.
• #8 DESERT RULER (12-1) has kept really good company of late.
• #1 GIANT GAME (9-2) has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.

Selections: 4 – 9 – 8 – 1

Gulfstream Park- Race 5

Post: 1:26 PM ET; $200k Pan American S. Presented by Rood & Riddle going 1 1/2 miles on turf; Entries: 8

• #3 MASTER PIECE (7-5) is the top pick. He has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #1 WICKED FAST (4-1) goes out for the Maker barn and gets Zayas in the irons.
• #7 ABAAN (5-1) could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end. This one looks to be the class of the field.
• #5 THERAPIST (8-1) seems to fit well enough here.

Selections: 3 – 1 – 7 – 5

Gulfstream Park- Race 6

Post: 1:56 PM ET; $84k Maiden Special Weight going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 14

• #3 GOOD VALUE (6-1) should improve off the first start and looks best here. She could get the right setup in this race. This one will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.
• #11 EVERY TIME (8-1) should be part of the early pace in this spot.
• #6 LOVE RHAPSODY (10-1) is a price horse and has races good enough to beat this group.
• #13 STARSHIP AGENDA (20-1) is a price horse with figures that put her in the mix.

Selections: 3 – 11- 6 – 13

Gulfstream Park- Race 7

Post: 2:26 PM ET; $150k Ghostzapper S. going 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 7

• #5 FIRST CAPTAIN (9-5) gets the top selection. He has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #3 SIMPLIFICATION (5-2) has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #6 CLAPTON (8-1) could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #4 O'CONNOR (3-1) makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 5 – 3 – 6 – 4

Gulfstream Park- Race 8

Post: 2:56 PM ET; $150k Orchid S. going 1 1/2 miles on turf; Entries: 8

• #3 TRANSIENT (7-2) is the top pick. She has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #6 PERSONAL BEST (3-1) has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #1 VIBURNUM (10-1) is a price horse and seems to fit well enough here. This one comes into the race in good form.
• #2 MISS YEARWOOD (10-1) will likely have a lot to do in the lane, but could get up with a competitive run to make the exotics interesting.

Selections: 3 – 6 – 1 – 2

Gulfstream Park- Race 9

Post: 3:31 PM ET; $100k Sir Shackleton S. going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 9

• #3 OCTANE (15-1) is a price horse and looks best here. He shouldn't have trouble with the 7 furlong distance.
• #6 STEAL SUNSHINE (8-1) makes sense on speed figures. This one will likely have a lot to do in the lane, but could get up with a competitive run.
• #2 MY PRANKSTER (5-2) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #1 DEAN DELIVERS (7-2) looks to be the class of the field. He should have plenty of stamina.

Selections: 3 – 6 – 2 – 1

Gulfstream Park- Race 10

Post: 4:04 PM ET; $150k Sand Springs S. going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 10

• #8 PRINCESS THEOREM (8-1) gets the top selection. She seems to fit well enough here. This one will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.
• #1 LOVE IN THE AIR (6-1) should be competitive in this spot. The rail should provide a nice ground saving trip.
• #9 PERSEVERANCIA (5-1) comes into the race in really good form.
• #6 MARKETSEGMENTATION (2-1) makes sense on speed figures. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 8 – 1 – 9 – 6

Gulfstream Park- Race 11

Post: 4:38 PM ET; $100k Sanibel Island S. going 7 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 10

• #1 MRS. ASTOR (7-2) is the top pick. She goes out for the Thomas barn and gets Saez in the irons. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #5 BREATH AWAY (7-2) shouldn't have trouble with the 7 1/2 furlong distance. This one has to be respected going out for the combination of Clement and Ortiz.
• #10 METAPHYSICAL (8-1) will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #3 RIDING PRETTY (5-1) looks to be the class of the field. This one should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.

Selections: 1 – 5 – 10- 3

Gulfstream Park- Race 12

Post: 5:15 PM ET; $250k Gulfstream Park Oaks Presented by BetOnline TV going 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 8

• #6 ATOMICALLY (7-2) looks best here. She goes out for the Pletcher barn and gets Ortiz in the irons. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #5 MIRACLE (5-2) has to be respected going out for the combination of Pletcher and Ortiz.
• #2 INFINITE DIAMOND (6-1) shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/16 mile distance. This one may benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #8 DORTH VADER (4-1) comes into the race in really good form. This one has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.

Selections: 6 – 5 – 2 – 8

Gulfstream Park- Race 13

Post: 5:57 PM ET; $150k Appleton S. going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 12

• #6 STEADY ON (3-1) gets the top selection. He makes sense on speed figures. This one shouldn't have trouble with the 1 mile distance.
• #3 GRAY'S FABLE (10-1) is a price horse and has races good enough to beat this group. This one could get the right setup in this race.
• #7 WINFROMWITHIN (7-2) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #5 FORT WASHINGTON (4-1) comes into the race in top form and will likely be a major player.

Selections: 6 – 3 – 7 – 5

Gulfstream Park- Race 14

Post: 6:40 PM ET; $1000k Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 12

• #11 FORTE (4-5) draws a tough post but this is his race to win or lose. Frankly it looks like his Derby to win or lose. Regardless of what happens here, this one has been far and away the most consistent performer on the trail and that counts for something.
• #9 CYCLONE MISCHIEF (8-1) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. This one has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #10 FORT BRAGG (5-1) skipped a prep last weekend for this spot, so maybe that points toward readiness.
• #4 MAGE (10-1) makes sense on speed figures but also has the benefit of being a newer face. With only 2 races run, maybe he is just getting started.

Selections: 11- 9 – 10- 4