Gulfstream Park Saturday, February 5: Holy Bull Analysis

The Florida path to the Kentucky Derby kicks into gear this Saturday at Gulfstream Park. The Holy Bull offers 10 Derby points to the winner.

Saturday Stakes Analysis

For analysis, players are encouraged to check for accuracy of program numbers. Program numbers can be found on the Equibase website.

Gulfstream Park Race 5- Swale Stakes

Post: 1:57 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Claiborne Farm Swale S., 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 6

• #1 MY PRANKSTER (2-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's class & form.
• #3 OF A REVOLUTION (4-1) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & race flow.
• #5 IN DREAMS (5-2) is worth a look here given the connections.
• #4 DEAN DELIVERS (4-1) could get a perfect pace scenario today.

Selections: 1-3-5-4

Gulfstream Park Race 7- Kitten’s Joy

Post: 3:01 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Kitten's Joy S., 1 1/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 8

• #6 ROYAL SPIRIT (5-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & form.
• #2 COINAGE (6-1) is worth a look here given edges in class & power rating.
• #1 GRAND SONATA (3-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's class & power rating.
• #8 RED DANGER (7-2) should be kicking on late and wouldn’t ne a surprise

Selections: 6-2-1-8

Gulfstream Park Race 8- Forward Gal

Post: 3:33 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Forward Gal S., 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7

• #5 RADIO DAYS (8-5) looks tough to beat in this spot. The horse has the top speed figures in the group and has been running against really good horses recently.
• #2 GREATITUDE (5-1) goes out for solid connections and is worth a look.
• #6 GIRL WITH A DREAM (5-2) could get a perfect pace scenario today.
• #3 LAST LEAF (12-1) shouldn’t have any trouble with the 7 furlong distance.

Selections: 5-2-6-3 (Best Bet #5 RADIO DAYS)

Gulfstream Park Race 10- Sweetest Chant

Post: 4:37 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Sweetest Chant S., 1 1/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 10

• #2 OPALINA (3-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & form.
• #7 MISS YOU ELLA (10-1) has to be respected based on the connections and the price is right.
• #9 RUNNING LEGACY (15-1) should be competitive based on the overall power rating which has it tops in the group.
• #5 MYFAVORITEDAUGHTER (20-1) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts. The morning line on this one is a bit puzzling.

Selections: 2-7-9-5

Gulfstream Park Race 11- Holy Bull (Derby Prep)

Post: 5:10 PM ET; Purse: $250,000 Holy Bull S., 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 9

• #4 SIMPLIFICATION (4-1) based on recent performances. I like this one in a mild upset.
• #2 MO DONEGAL (5-2) is off a win in the Remson. He showed a lot of heart, but just barely got the wire. I fear the price will be too short for the horse’s chances of winning.
• #9 GIANT GAME (7-2) should enjoy the 8 1/2 furlong distance.
• #5 CAJUN'S MAGIC (8-1) is a major player based on speed figures and will be available at a really solid price.

Selections: 4-2-9-5

Saturday Undercard Analysis

Gulfstream Park Race 1

Post: 12:00 PM ET; Purse: $21,000 Maiden Claiming, 5 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 12

• #5 FLOR DE PLATA (2-1) has a great shot in the race given the speed & class.
• #10 GOOD TROUBLE (5-2) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & pace numbers.
• #11 EVIL OF COURSE (6-1) is the only first time starter in this pack of proven losers.
• #1 ANGELIC STORM (15-1) should be competitive based on breeding. I’m never afraid to reach for a price in these maiden claimer races.

Selections: 5-10-11-1

Gulfstream Park Race 2

Post: 12:29 PM ET; Purse: $34,000 Starter Optional Claiming, About 1 Mile 70 Yards on All Weather Track; Entries: 7

• #4 CASHIER CHECK (7-2) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & pace numbers.
• #2 SAVAGE SAILOR (3-1) has the top power rating in the group.
• #3 PANORAMA TRUCK (5-2) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts.
• #1 SIMILAR TASTE (6-1) could get a perfect pace scenario today.

Selections: 4-2-3-1

Gulfstream Park Race 3

Post: 12:58 PM ET; Purse: $60,000 Maiden Special Weight, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

• #4 STAY RESTLESS (5-2) is worth a look here given edges in connections & pace numbers.
• #1 PALM ISLAND (3-1) has been installed at a short price as a first time starter which usually implies there is some backside chatter.
• #2 SUPERSTITIEUX (4-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & form.
• #3 UNIKEE (5-1) is worth a look here based on the bloodlines.

Selections: 4-1-2-3

Gulfstream Park Race 4

Post: 1:27 PM ET; Purse: $28,000 Claiming, 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 11

• #1 CARIBBEAN GOLD (10-1) could pull a major upset here based on the horse's stamina & race flow.
• #2 SOUPER FORTUNE (3-1) also makes some sense based on power rating.
• #9 THE GREAT OZ (12-1) is a major player based on speed figures.
• #8 WINDY CITY RED (6-1) comes into the race signaling a big performance in the near future.

Selections: 1-2-9-8

Gulfstream Park Race 5

Post: 1:57 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Claiborne Farm Swale S., 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 6

Claiborne Farm Swale Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 1-3-5-4

Gulfstream Park Race 6

Post: 2:27 PM ET; Purse: $60,000 Maiden Special Weight, About 1 Mile 70 Yards on All Weather Track; Entries: 11

• #1 GRAND DAVID (9-2) is in with a great chance having already hit the board under these conditions. I look for the breakthrough performance here.
• #6 REMOTE (8-1) has some breeding that suggests this one could pop on debut.
• #9 SIR FOR SURE (12-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & form.
• #2 ALLEGORICAL (8-1) has hit the board under these conditions and has experience on side.

Selections: 1-6-9-2

Gulfstream Park Race 7

Post: 3:01 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Kitten's Joy S., 1 1/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 8

Kitten’s Joy Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 6-2-1-8

Gulfstream Park Race 8

Post: 3:33 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Forward Gal S., 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7

Forward Gal Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 5-2-6-3

Gulfstream Park Race 9

Post: 4:05 PM ET; Purse: $62,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 13

• #7 WAR STOPPER (6-1) has to be respected based on the connections.
• #12 CANDY MAN ROCKET (8-1) is 50% in the money at the distance which is better than any of the rivals in this spot.
• #3 HE HATE ME (20-1) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & form.
• #8 SOUP AND SANDWICH (8-1) has come back to reality after chasing Derby dreams as a 2 year old. This is a much more realistic spot than some of the more famed effort where he often took money due to his name.

Selections: 7-12-3-8

Gulfstream Park Race 10

Post: 4:37 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Sweetest Chant S., 1 1/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 10

Sweetest Chant Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 2-7-9-5

Gulfstream Park Race 11

Post: 5:10 PM ET; Purse: $250,000 Holy Bull S., 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 9

Holy Bull Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 4-2-9-5

Gulfstream Park Race 12

Post: 5:43 PM ET; Purse: $31,000 Claiming, 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 13

• #12 MO READY (12-1) is a major contender given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & class.
• #10 VETTORI KIN (3-1) should have plenty in the tank as they turn for home.
• #1 GRACEFUL KITTEN (20-1) could get the best of the race flow in this spot.
• #3 BORU (5-1) should be a major pace player in this spot.

Selections: 12-10-1-3

Oaklawn Cancels the Weekend

The Bayakoa Stakes from Oaklawn Park will have to wait. Due to the winter weather that has been blasting the eastern half of the country Oaklawn has cancelled racing in the interest of equine and human safety. The event will be moved to a later card.