Gulfstream Park Saturday: Hurricane Bertie Stakes Analysis

Saturday’s races from Gulfstream Park will include the Hurricane Bertie. The race is one of two stakes on the card which will welcome the sun after rainy skies earlier this week.

Hurricane Bertie Stakes

Gulfstream Park Race 7

Post: 3:35 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Hurricane Bertie S., 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 6

• #3 OBLIGATORY (8-5) should be competitive today based on the horse’s speed & power rating. This one looks really solid.
• #5 FOUR GRACES (9-5) is the most likely challenger to the favorite as the odds would indicate. This one has kept really good company in the recent starts.
• #4 STARSHIP NALA (6-1) makes some sense as a player in this one as this one projects to be near the early lead.
• #1 BRAMBLE BERRY (8-1) will likely be sent from the rail and try to run these horses off their feet.

Selections: 3-5-4-1

Captiva Island Stakes

Gulfstream Park Race 10

Post: 5:10 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Captiva Island S., 5 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 8

• #5 MISS J MCKAY (5-2) looks like a really solid favorite in this race. This one is the class of the group.
• #4 MISS AURAMET (3-1) is somewhat of a distance specialist and should get a nice pace setup.
• #6 NAUGHTY SHIRLEY (15-1) goes out for solid connections. The concern is that this one would likely need to get a comfortable lead to win here and with the #4 in the race I don’t see that happening. Maybe this one can be involved for a piece.
• #7 A G INDY (8-1) has faced some good foes recently. Perhaps the past races have this one prepared to be a factor today.

Selections: 5-4-6-7

Saturday Undercard Analysis

Gulfstream Park Race 1

Post: 12:35 PM ET; Purse: $21,000 Maiden Claiming, About 1 1/16 Miles on All Weather Track; Entries: 14

• #1 POETIC CODE (3-1) has been running well enough to win, but hasn’t broken through yet. On paper this one looks a standout, but these are maiden claimers so tread lightly.
• #13 MEKANO (7-2) drew terribly in this spot. The wide post is a disappointment but Jaramillo isn’t afraid to send and maybe this one can find a way to clear.
• #10 MUROMEC (6-1) feels like the horse who could find the right trip today.
• #4 SUMMER SHANDEE (10-1) gets a weight allowance with Morrison in the saddle. The draw should allow this runner to get whatever trip it wants.

Selections: 1-13-10-4

Gulfstream Park Race 2

Post: 1:04 PM ET; Purse: $22,000 Claiming, About 1 1/16 Miles on All Weather Track; Entries: 7

• #6 MIRACLE SILVER (9-2) goes out for the Saffie Joseph Jr. barn and he always crushes at Gulfstream. This is especially true in the claiming ranks.
• #2 AMBASSADOR JIM (5-1) is a major player based on speed figures.
• #3 TIL THE END (7-2) has been running well and gets Southerland aboard. Early in the meet she was an automatic use on tapeta. She’s cooled off a bit, but she’s still worth a look.
• #5 CALORIC (6-1) could be near the pace and have plenty left for a finishing kick. The all-weather is a much better track for closing ground.

Selections: 6-2-3-5

Gulfstream Park Race 3

Post: 1:33 PM ET; Purse: $21,000 Maiden Claiming, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 9

• #5 MORE GLORY (12-1) is less exposed than some of these. At this level I like to take a shot with prices and see if I can beat the chalk.
• #1 SHE IS ROYALTY (30-1) has run 8 times but has found the board in 25%. Maybe this one gets brave and breaks the maiden at a massive price.
• #6 NOBODY’S SECRET (5-2) has run the best speed figures of the group.
• #3 ALWAYS A PARTY (2-1) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts for top connections. I don’t love Pletcher with a maiden claimer.

Selections: 5-1-6-3

Gulfstream Park Race 4

Post: 2:01 PM ET; Purse: $21,000 Maiden Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 12

• #11 BENNY THE BOOK (4-1) should be competitive today based on the horse’s speed & race flow.
• #12 CELESTIAL GLAZE (7-2) is worth a look here given edges in class & connections.
• #4 BOURBON OVER ICE (3-1) comes into the race signaling a big performance in the near future. Drawing to the inside of the two other major players definitely helps.
• #8 INNER WAVE (15-1) may be able to catch the lead with a lot of the other confirmed speed to the outside.

Selections: 11-12-4-8

Gulfstream Park Race 5

Post: 2:31 PM ET; Purse: $34,000 Starter Allowance, About 1 Mile 70 Yards on All Weather Track; Entries: 8

• #5 SMART SPENDING (3-1) is really good at this route distance on the tapeta.
• #1 ANTIGONE (7-2) comes into the race looking ready to pop a top notch performance.
• #6 FLYING BLACK (6-1) should be competitive based on the overall power rating which has it tops in the group.
• #8 SERENADE A KITTEN (5-1) has the top speed figures in the group and should get a decent race flow here.

Selections: 5-1-6-8

Gulfstream Park Race 6

Post: 3:01 PM ET; Purse: $60,000 Maiden Special Weight, About 7 1/2 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 16

• #6 CAUSIN’ MAYHEM (6-1) debuts for Todd Pletcher here and could best this field. The only concern is that Pletcher’s really good ones usually start on dirt.
• #13 GRAND DAVID (8-1) will likely be sent early by Jaramillo but the wide draw with so many unknowns inside is a bit daunting.
• #4 ANALOGY (9-2) gets Julien Leparoux in the irons. I typically prefer him on long shots, but this one seems like a player.
• #5 RIOT HOUSE (3-1) will likely look to set the pace in this spot. Danny Gargan has good numbers with his horses at Gulfstream.

Selections: 6-13-4-5

Gulfstream Park Race 7

Post: 3:35 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Hurricane Bertie S., 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 6

• Hurricane Bertie Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 3-5-4-1

Gulfstream Park Race 8

Post: 4:06 PM ET; Purse: $61,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 1 3/8 Miles on Turf; Entries: 9

• #7 MALTHAEL (7-2) is a major player in today’s race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating.
• #9 JIMMY D (10-1) has the next fastest speed numbers behind the favorite.
• #6 MEGAYACHT (9-2) has Gaffalione getting a leg up and he is one of the best Gulfstream turf jockeys.
• #4 SHADY MCGEE (6-1) will likely have the stamina to outlast these in the final jumps of the race for Mike Maker.

Selections: 7-9-6-4 (Best Bet: #7 MALTHAEL)

Gulfstream Park Race 9

Post: 4:38 PM ET; Purse: $60,000 Maiden Special Weight, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 12

• #1 STAY RESTLESS (5-2) looks tough to beat here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & class.
• #5 UNIKEE (10-1) has a chance of being the controlling speed which can be tough to reign in on the main track.
• #3 UNDER OATH (6-1) has breeding to suggest this one should relish the dirt sprint.
• #11 EMIRATES ROAD (4-1) debuts for Brendan Walsh with a top jockey getting the call. I always like to see good jocks on debut runners. It suggests word is out this one can run.

Selections: 1-5-3-11

Gulfstream Park Race 10

Post: 5:10 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Captiva Island S., 5 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 8

• Captiva Island Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 5-4-6-7

Gulfstream Park Race 11

Post: 5:42 PM ET; Purse: $61,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 7

• #4 LUDINGTON (5-1) has a great shot in the race given the horse’s speed & class.
• #3 CREATE AGAIN (9-5) based on the overall power rating which is the top in the group. It is very possible this one blitzes from the gate and tries to hide on the front end.
• #2 REBELDE (3-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today’s distance and surface conditions.
• #6 CRITICAL THREAT (4-1) is another Gaffalione/Walsh runner who has a shot, but will need to stay close to the pace.

Selections: 4-3-2-6

Gulfstream Park Race 12

Post: 6:12 PM ET; Purse: $39,000 Starter Optional Claiming, 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 13

• #5 STRONG EMBRACE (7-2) is trained by Mike Maker who is always dangerous on the Gulfstream turf.
• #9 HATARI (4-1) should be in a good position heading into the final turn and has a solid final kick that could be enough in this group.
• #1 FISH MOONEY (9-2) draws a nice post for a ground saving trip and should have plenty left when they turn for home.
• #8 SANDPIPER MEMORIES (12-1) comes into the race signaling a big performance in the near future.

Selections: 5-9-1-8

Betting News Free Handicapping Tools

For more information on racing from all of the weekend’s cards, check out our free handicapping tools.