Gulfstream, 4-14

[golfer]

With all the attention at potentially rainy Keeneland and Oaklawn, figured I'd take a shot at sunny Gulfstream today, a competitive, although uninspiring card.. but we'll see what we can make of it.

Race 1: 5 furlongs on the turf, #1 June Tune is the most likely winner, gets in light with Cardoso, solid TG figs....use with #5 Jilli's Cape, long shots #3 Almost True and #8 Naughty Valentine could get in the super.

Race 2: $8,000 claimers going a mile, none would surprise, but I like the pattern on #2 Racingtowin, coming off a poor effort in the slop, price should be right. #3 Execution, in light with Cardoso is solid, also use #'s 1, 4 and 5.

Race 3: back to the turf for this maiden affair, #10 Joyful Acres is a standout on TG, should take this one...#2 Cara Bonita can get a piece if she takes to the turf.. also use #'s 11 and 12 underneath.

Race 4: the 2 most likely winners are #1 Patti's Goldengirl, whose pattern is a bit tough to read, could kinda go either way, and #3 Casablanca Babe, shortening up and making first start for Andrade.. #5 Island Miss can fill out the tri.

Race 5: another maiden turf race, this one is very contentious, #12 Ivory Star, last was fast, has enough speed to counteract the outside post.. #10 Goldville, Clement's 2nd time starter, very dangerous, although probable favorite...#7 Tizzy Jazz, Frank Alexander, is likely to improve.. a bunch of others are very similar, not to mention the firsters... nothing wrong with #5 Impossible Tune, other than likely short odds.

Race 6: might be play of the day in this one, with seemingly a ton of speed horses, #5 Grand Impact is fastest coming in, and a closer coming off a short rest bounce, should improve here! the race may also set up for #9 Eyes on Willie, 1st time Collins, to close for a piece (disclaimer, betting closers at Gulf hasn't been a particularly good idea this meet)

Race 7: another contentious turf race, but I'm sticking with the horse I had been chasing for the last 2 years, #1 Trippi's Storm (No, I didn't have him when he finally broke his maiden last out at 9-1 ).. hopefully, this one has finally figured out how to win, seems to like the turf, rail doesn't hurt...#9 Tupi, was longshot special last out, won't get 42-1 this time...rest of the field very evenly matched, will use #'s 4, 5, 7 and 8.

Race 8: the feature race? a mile maiden special.. another evenly matched field (seemingly), looking closely at #10 Marnesia's Big Boy, in light with Cardoso, stretching out with nice spacing off a troubled TG 14, has faced some good ones, 20-1 ML is very tempting...#12 Trying Brian, ran huge from 11 post in last, repeat of that wins this, but certainly may react to that effort...#9 Devil in Space, also 20-1 ML, threw in a big one last year at Calder, makes 2nd start off layoff, can improve... foolish to leave out the Pletcher and Albertrani firsters (#5 and #11), also dangerous are #1 Lightning Road, 2nd start for Mott, and #8 Sculling, 2nd start for Alexander.

Race 9: another 5 furlong turf for the finale...loved #5 Dead Red when he rallied for 2nd at 10-1 last out, love him again (hopefully will get there in time today)...#7 Quistopher is very dangerous, shortening up off a solid effort at 1 1/16 in last...#1 Elizabull, off a layoff, came out running last year, wouldn't be a surprise... #8 Guns Drawn is solid for a piece, and I have to mention #10 R Fast Favorite, 1st turf, 1st off long layoff, but did run a TG 2 last year, tough to know what to make of him in this spot today.

Good Luck to all, defering the big races to the "Big Boys"