Month: February 2025

Gulfstream Park Fountain of Youth Day Picks — March 2025 | Full Card Best Bets

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Horses racing on a turf track at Gulfstream Park with spectators in the background.

Race 2: 1 Mile. (Turf) OC 25000n1x

#7 Rothschild (8/1) – This colt impressed the Conductor last fall with some strong efforts despite poor trips. He has a class edge over this field and is working well for a new barn. Making his first start as a 4-year-old and adding Lasix for the first time today, he has every right to improve. 5/1 or better is fair.

Race 7: 1 Mile. (Turf) Colonel Liam Stakes

#3 Enterdadragon (8/1) – This gelding was keen fighting Maragh early into the first turn last time. Even though he wasted all that energy, he still finished well against a slow pace and frontrunner flow. Now getting a turf rider upgrade to Davis, the Conductor sees Enterdadragon getting a much more favorable trip today. Anything close to 8/1 would be a treat.

Race 13: 1 1/16 Mile. G2 Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes

#2 Sovereignty (3/1) – 3/1 is as low as the Conductor will take on this colt, but he has the most upside in the field. He’s steadily improving and Mott has been very patient with him. He returns off the bench to make his first start as a three-year-old and the Conductor is expecting a peak effort that vaults him into the Derby spotlight. He has plenty of talent.

Race 14: 1 3/8 Mile. (Turf) G2 Mac Diarmida Stakes

#4 Missed the Cut (9/2) – This is a wide open race, but the Conductor will trust this Cherie DeVaux runner off the bench. He was in great form last year, so much so that they gave him a shot across the pond vs the big boys. He’s had plenty of time off since that last poor performance, and the Conductor likes the confidence to put him right back in a Grade 2 off the bench. The Conductor trusts DeVaux to have him ready to fire.

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Gulfstream Park Saturday Picks — February 8, 2025 | Best Bets & Full Card Handicapping

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An elderly train conductor holding a clipboard at a horse race track during sunset.

Is the Conductor really going to give us his favorite two bombs of the day for free at Gulfstream? His kindness knows no bounds. Thank you Mr. Ductor.

Race 4: 1 Mile. (Turf) Mdn 94k

#1 Gearing Up (8/1) – This colt was pinched at the break last time and rallied well for 3rd sprinting on the synthetic. Now he stretches out to 1 mile and switches to turf, the surface he’s bred for. The Conductor is expecting a major step forward on the lawn and he should get a perfect rail pocket trip. Gearing Up is live for Rusty Arnold.

Race 12: 1 Mile. (Turf) OClm 35000

#3 Il Alchemysta (30/1) – This colt switched to the turf last time to take on tougher and ran better than it looks on paper. He was 3-wide while uncovered on the first turn, backstretch, and made a 4-wide move on the 2nd turn before fading. Now he drops in class, draws a nice inside post, and adds Lasix for the first time. The Conductor is swinging for the fences in the finale at Gulfstream.

Tampa Bay Downs Saturday Picks — February 8, 2025 | Derby Prep Season Best Bets

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A group of horses racing on a grassy track with jockeys in colorful attire.

It’s tough right now to open the form on a weekday and see any track offering a good product. Horse racing is in a rough state. However, weekend cards are much more enticing and winter will come to an end at some point. Derby Prep season is beginning. Let’s start stacking coal before the spring is here. Skip.

Race 8: 1 1/8 Mile. (Turf) F.OC 32000n2x

#2 Seat At the Table (6/1) – The Conductor has knocks against all the favorites in this race and likes this filly at a square price. She’s 2/2 on the turf this year and won last time stepping up in class and stretching out to this distance. She ran a formidable late pace figure last time and draws well today on the inside.

Race 10: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) F.Mdn 53k

#10 Calla (20/1) – One of the Chad Brown horses will probably win this race, but the Conductor likes this filly to outrun her odds. She takes a big step up in class today, which should keep her price high. Her debut on the lawn last time was very impressive. She came from the clouds with a thunderous stretch kick despite being behind a slow pace. This filly can mow and the class hike makes sense.

Race 11: 1 1/16 Mile. Sam F. Davis S. Stakes

#2 Treaty of Rome (6/1) – This colt showed real guts last time trying to rundown a lone leader that set a slow pace. That race looks to set him up perfectly for this spot and he should like the added distance. The Conductor sees him getting an ideal trip sitting right behind a contested pace and getting the first jump on the closers. 4/1 or better would be a treat.

1 1/18 Mile. (Turf) Alw 53000n1x

#4 Heathguard (10/1) – This gelding ran a big race despite a poor trip off the bench last time. He made an early wide move into a quick pace and sustained his bid for 2nd. The Conductor really liked how he dug in and didn’t let the horse to his outside with momentum pass him late. With a more favorable trip today, the Conductor thinks he has a big shot.

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Santa Anita Park Sunday Picks — February 2, 2025 | Best Bets & Full Card Analysis

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A thrilling horse race at Santa Anita Park featuring multiple jockeys in colorful silks riding fast horses on a green turf track.

Let’s have a nice lazy Sunday in the coal mines, passengers. Skip.

Race 1: 1 Mile. (Turf) Clm 25000

#3 Mas Rapido (4/1) – This gelding ran sneaky well last time. He was covered 2-wide and completely stuck behind horses in stretch. He finally angled out when the race was basically over and finished full of run. Now he takes a major class drop and gets a rider upgrade to Rispoli. 4/1 would be a gift from the pony gods.

#6 Bizzee Channel (5/2) – The Conductor is going for an ice cold 3/6 exacta in this first race. Bizzee Channel was best at this level last time with a brutal trip. He was bumped hard at the start, keen entering the first turn and still finished well, galloping out in front. Now 2nd off a layoff for strong connections, only Mas Rapido can beat him.

Race 6: 6½ Furlongs. (Turf) Mdn 60k

#3 Broski (6/1) – He has been well bet in his two tries at Del Mar after showing talent across the pond. He has disappointed the American punters, but he has been gelded since his last race. After being clipped, Broski has shown much improved workouts in the mornings. The Conductor thinks he has major upside in a wide open maiden race.

Race 8: 1 1/8 Mile. (Turf) OC 80000n2x

*Gullet Shot of the Day #6 Cathal (6/1) – This is another great betting race, with many closely matched contenders. The Conductor gives the edge to this gelding dropping in class, stretching out in distance and getting Berrios in the saddle. He’s consistently run strong late pace figures behind slow paces and tougher competition. Cathal looks to get a beautiful trip today with pace to run at. #9 Fearless Soldier (30/1) and #3 Red Cross Knight should keep the pace honest early.