1/7: Gulfstream (6th-9th)

[Kasept]

Very entertaining day of racing Wednesday with Aqueduct carryover, quality action at Gulfstream and a meaningful sophomore ALW at Santa Anita to cap the day. Unfortunately, Big A again produced an inside biased racetrack that propelled many of the winners and compromised the stalker-closers. Like the surface on December 30th that Andy Serling and Eric Donovan cover on this week's "Trips (Part I) and Traps (Part II)", this card's results should be noted for runbacks. Caution is advised as well for the next couple days until track super Glenn Kozak can 'fair up' the strip.

Second half of Gulfstream card had quality events that delivered rather chalky results, with the exception of Bennie Stutts' 20-1 Lemon Spice in the $50k CLM 5th, and hitting the $91.10 P4 at least covered the investment. Most notable from Wednesday at Hallandale was that three more outside posted horses won the 3 turf routes. With the temp rail out at 72 feet, or 84, the grass course has its' optimal width allowing out-posted runners a fair opportunity to work out a trip. It is when the rail is at 0 feet that the inside horses get the bigger edge around a tighter course. (Dick Powell of Brisnet explained this scenario carefully two winters ago and I'll try to find the essay.)

The highlight Wednesday from both and Derby Trail and financial standpoint, was the Santa Anita allowance for freshly-minted 3yo's that was won by Best Value tab Kettle River. The Stonerside-bred son (now Darley-owned) of Congaree did get a perfect trip behind Baffert's pace-setting Quiet Invader, but finished well and looked good winning back to back routes. Eion Harty trains, and clearly will set sights on the SA soph stakes next. Hawaiian Springs was a late-arriving second for Kathy Walsh, and looks like a solid grinding type that will relish 9f or more and figures to also be stakes bound. The performances of the two Baffert trainees were credible but hardly encouraging from a classics standpoint. With the $23 winner keying the mutuels, the result produced a handsome $168 triple that made the day a success for me and hopefully for you as well.

Back to Gulfstream for a P4 try today. Note that Fair Grounds has a $35k carryover if you are so inclined...


GULFSTREAM PARK


POST-SCRATCHES


6th: MDN CLM, 3yo-F, 6f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #7 Harlan's Princess 3-1 6th
Best Value: #9 Prizes Galore 10-1 8th
Next Best: #2 By Land Or by Sea 4-1 9th
Super Add: #5 Oasis the Jak 12-1 7th


7th: ALW/N1X, F&M-4+, 8.5f-T (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #5 Toocleverforwords 3-1 4th
Next Best: #2 Speak Easy Gal 4-1 2nd
Best Value: #9 Tottie 12-1 WON
Super Add: #12 Salsa Star 6-1 3rd

$1 Exacta (9-2) Paid $17.60
$1 Trifecta (9-2-12) Paid $112.80
$1 Superfecta (9-2-12-5) Paid $538.30


8th: ALW/N1X, 3yo, 1m (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #4 Thank U Phillippe (3-1): Wolfson colt alternating efforts; Has faced quality.. 2nd
Best Value: #10 Remand (12-1): Another savvy buy? Working bullets, moves up on dirt, sits trip.. 7th
Next Best: #3 Bank the Eight (6-1): DistHumor bay sharp in debut behind Rule; Aced MDN next and fits here.. 6th
Super Add: #6 Eskendereya (5-2): Anticipated Pletcher runner surprised breaking MDN in off/turf juvy stake.. WON


9th: MSW, 3yo, 1m (Super)

NOTE SCR OF #2 and #5 WHO WERE IN ORIGINAL SELECTIONS AND THAT #13 (AE) ARGENTARII WILL BE RUNNING...

Most Likely: #13 Argentarii 5-2 10th
Best Value: #10 Magic Lion 10-1 8th
Next Best: #6 World Record 7-2 9th
Super Add: #9 Chasing Ted 6-1 2nd


<$75 P4 Play:

6: 2-7-9
7: 2-5-9
8: 4-10
9: 3-4-6-8-9-10-12-13

3x3x2x8 = 144 x .50 = $72


Good luck!
Steve