Category: Gulfstream Park

The Conductor’s prices ran well Saturday, just not well enough to beat the chalk. Rain ruined Sunday, and unfortunately it looks like more rain in the forecast later this week at Gulfstream. We’ll make due while we can. Skip.

Race 5: 1m70yds. (All-Weather)

#11 Danville (20/1) – This morning line is asinine, but even if he’s half this price he’s worth a shot. This gelding has consistently been running faster figures vs tougher than this group on dirt. He’s never run on the synthetic, but he’s won on turf in the past. He should get a good trip today pressing a slow pace, let’s hoe the price is right.

Race 8: 5 Furlongs. (Turf) F.OC 75000n1x

*Gulfstream Gullet Shot of the Day #2 Fairhopecurly (12/1) – This filly switched into the Saffie Joseph barn after a speed and fade last time on synthetic. Now she gets back to 5-furlongs on the turf and is working well off a break entering today. She’s one of only two runners in the field who have won at this distance on turf. Plus, she has a major early pace advantage over this field. Fairhopecurly will have the lead when they turn for home, and that’s always extremely dangerous at 5-furlongs. Gate to wire.

Race 9: 5½ Furlongs. (All-Weather) F.Clm 16000n2L

#1 Talking Wonders (8/1) – This filly broke slow last time vs tougher at Gulfstream and made a nice move on the turn, but she was fanned wide into the parking lot. There aren’t and standouts in this field, and she has every chance today with a clean break. Hopefully Bridgmohan can find a seam and tip out from the rail entering the stretch.

2 for 3 including a 2nd and a 4/1 winner Friday at Gulfstream gets the train moving in the right direction. Hitting the triple cold would have brought a coal overflow. However, I’m sure a few of you passengers included Saffie Joseph in the 2nd leg and hit the Tropical Pick 3. It paid a generous $231 for $3 with a 2/5 winner in the first. Let’s keep shoveling. Skip.

Race 7: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) OC 25000n1x

*Gulfstream Gullet Shot of the Day #8 American Diamond (12/1) – Saffie beat the Conductor yesterday, but he won’t get away with it today. This gelding returned off a break last time on synthetic and ran a strong late pace figure closing into slow fractions. Now he switches back to his preferred turf surface and has a race under his belt. This morning line is way too high, but the Conductor will take anything above 5/1.

Race 9: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.Ginger Brew Stakes

#1 Madame Mischief (15/1) – One of the two favorites probably win this race, but this filly is a bomb that intrigues the Conductor. She’s steadily improving this year and ran well off the bench last time. She closed behind a slow pace going 7 1/2 furlongs and galloped out well ahead of the pack. She gets a great rail draw today and will appreciate the extra 1/2 furlong in distance. The Conductor sees her hitting the board and has a chance to light up the tote.

Race 11: 1 Mile. (Turf) Dania Beach Stakes

#3 Depiction (8/1) – The Conductor liked this colt’s maiden breaker two starts back. He pressed a quick pace and still drew off that day. Last time in the Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland, he was well bet and it didn’t look like he enjoyed the surface. He was asked the entire turn and didn’t pick up his feet until late in the stretch. He’s had some time off since, gets back to firm turf at Gulfstream, and get’s a nice inside draw. The Conductor thinks this colt has talent.

Thursday brought an 0/3 with two flops and a gullet shot that ran well with a poor trip. Not the way we wanted to start the new year, but there’s a long track ahead. Tread lightly as it may take the Conductor a few days to unlock Gulfstream Park. He will be focusing on the tropical turf pick 3 on days when it’s available. It’s typically the best wager on the card with a 15% takeout and 3$ minimum. Let’s hit it cold and enter the weekend with some coal. Skip.

Race 1: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) Moc 40000

#1 Heart N Soul (8/5) – Nothing creative in the first leg. This gelding pressed quick pace vs miles tougher last time and just missed. With a nice rail draw vs a weak group, he looks too tough to beat.

Race 5: 1 Mile. (Turf) Clm 35000b

*Gullet Shot of the Day #7 Eyes On Target (9/2) – Many class droppers off layoffs for top connections will take money in this race. This ridgling’s price could float up at post time, and he ran a winning race last time at this level. He ran a huge late pace figure closing into a slow pace. In his 2nd start off the bench today, he should run even better.

Race 8: 5 Furlongs. (T) OC 62500b

#3 Kanthari (10/1) – #8 Carotari (8/5) is a formidable favorite, but he’s an 8-year-old entering off a 6-month layoff. Plus, if we want there to be any value in this sequence, we have to beat him. The Conductor landed on Kanthari, who is 2/2 running 5 furlongs at Gulfstream Park. He ran a big number on his debut, then won off a year layoff in his next start. Clearly he’s an ouchie horse, who has trouble staying at the track. However, he has talent and is dangerous if he fires his A race off the bench again today. 10/1 is more than fair for the Conductor.

Happy New Year, passengers. It’s always tough to get back to the daily grind after the Breeders’ Cup. The Conductor needs full field turf racing to fuel his engine, and this winter has been bleak. Regardless, it’s time to get back to work and sharpen the axe. He’ll focus on the Gulfstream turf up until Keeneland, and then back to New York once turf racing begins. 2024 is the year you become the horseplayer you dream of. You will never be as good as the Conductor, but at least you can learn a few things and make some money off his picks. Skip!

Race 2: 1 Mile. (Turf) Clm 50000n2L

#6 Seaver (15/1) – This is a wide open claiming race and the Conductor likes this gelding at a big number. He ran a solid 3rd off the bench last time, sprinting on synthetic. Now he stretches out to a mile and switches back to his preferred turf surface. He ran his best race last year in a very similar scenario, running 2nd at 22/1 vs tougher at Saratoga. If he can repeat that effort here, he’ll be right there at the wire.

Race 6: 1 3/8 Mile. (All-Weather) Mdn 89k

#3 Hazon (12/1) – This is a very weak Gulfstream maiden field, where no horse has even sniffed par for this level. Hazon was hammered ate the windows sprinting on dirt in his debut and never picked up his feet. That effort was too bad to be believed and it’s a positive sign that Pletcher doesn’t drop him in class right away. If he has any talent like the market believed he did last time, he’ll win today at a much better price. He’s the lone horse in the field with major upside.

Race 9: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.MC 25000

*Gulfstream Gullet Shot of the Day #8 Looks Lucky to Me (6/1) – This filly ran a decent 3rd sprinting on synthetic in her debut vs slightly tougher. She’s bred for the turf, and should step forward moving onto the grass for the 1st time. Her running line suggests she’ll improve with the added distance as well. This is trainer Amador Sanchez’ specialty move. He’s 5/19 with a juicy +$3.02 ROI with 1st time turf starters this year.

0-2 and a scratch at Gulfstream Wednesday was not the way the Ductor wanted to start the racing week. After a great weekend, we cannot let the momentum slip. Us passengers are counting on you Mr. Ductor, please rebound for us quickly. Thursday’s bombs could make up for it and much, much more. Let’s Ride.

Race 5: 7½ Furlongs. (Turf) Mdn 84k

#8 El Oro (20/1) – #5 Dark Vecor (8/5) is clearly the one to beat, but he was beaten by 8 lengths last time at Gulfstream. At a short price, the Conductor is willing to bet against him. That completely opens up this race and El Oro is the bomb the Ductor likes most. Off a 3+month break he’s working well on the turf and will get to race on it for the first time. He has the best turf breeding of the group and could take a big step forward. He can provide value to the passengers’ trifectas.

Race 7: 1½ Mile. (Turf) OC 35000n1x

*Gullet Shot of the Day #9 Meyer (12/1) – This is a terrible morning line after running what the Conductor would argue was a better race than #8 Patou Road (7/2) did last time. He’ll still be a higher price and the Ductor will take 6/1 or better. Meyer has run two solid races despite bad trips in his last two starts. He was hung wide from the 12 post last time and still closed well into a slow pace. He has an outside post again today, but gets a major rider upgrade to Gaffalione. Tyler will give him a much better chance to show what he’s capable of.

Race 9: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.MC 35000

#4 Moontap (6/1) – This is a forgettable field and looks ripe for a 1st time starter. The Ductor likes this filly’s turf breeding and her work tab for trainer Kelsey Danner. Kelsey is 12% with a +$0.84 ROI with 1st time starters on the turf this year. Not to mention Irad takes the mount for a barn he rarely rides for. He’s 2/3 for this barn recently.

Be Here Now got there in time at 10/1 Sunday. Add in a little Fair Grounds pick 5 and train is in gear. It’s Florida Derby week at Gulfstream and the Conductor is already salivating over Saturday’s card. However, there is still work to be done before then. We need to collect during the week an there is plenty of Keeneland and NYRA prep to be done. Keep shoveling, Skip.

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Race 4: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.Clm 35000n2L

#2 Musical Romance (8/1) – This filly was favored vs tougher in her last turf start and ran a good 3rd closing into a slow pace. She flopped on the synthetic last time, but the Conductor is ignoring that effort. They switch her back to turf today and she faces her weakest competition to date. She looks to get a favorable trip on the inside and up close to a slow pace. Saez sticking aboard after a poor effort last time is a positive sign too.

Race 7: 6 Furlongs. F.SAlw 54000n1x

The Mrs (3/1) – 5/2 would be more than fair on this filly. She’s paired up two races in a row at Gulfstream that likely beat this field and she cuts back a furlong to her best distance. She draws well to the outside and will get the jump on the favorite #1 Charlie’s Wish (2/1).

Race 8: 7½ Furlongs. (Turf) F.Clm 20000b

*Gullet Shot of the Day #9 Lexinator (5/1) – Off a break last time, this mare ran well going a mile with a poor turf trip. She pressed the pace 3-wide and uncovered around both turns. She rightfully tired late and that race should set her up perfectly for today. Lexinator draws outside again, but without much speed to her inside the Conductor thinks she can get over to 2-path going into the first turn. She’ll take the lead turning for home and the shorter distance will help her chances.

The pit stop at the Fair Grounds proved fruitful for Mr. Conductor and us passengers. Didia at 7/2 and Southlawn at 8/1 were able to find the winners circle (Louisiana Derby Day Saturday). A nice pillage pit stop will always make the Ductor smile. Back to Gulfstream Park we go. Skip.

Race 5: 7½ Furlongs. (Turf) Clm 20000b

#7 Malibu Uproar (9/2) – This gelding always runs his race and finishes strong. 2nd off the layoff, dropping in class and shortening to his favorite distance, he makes a lot of sense. He looks to get some pace to run at today with a bunch of sprinters stretching out too.

Race 7: 1 Mile. F.Mdn 84k

#2 Be Here Now (12/1) – This filly showed ability in her debut at Gulfstream sprinting on dirt last fall. She returned off he bench on the turf last time and ran better than it looks on paper. She had a no chance trip, Leparoux had her in the parking lot the entire way around. Nothing in her pedigree says she’d be better on turf anyway, so they rightfully bring her back to the dirt here. She has the early speed to work out a nice trip and that last race gives her the stamina to finish the job. She will listen t the Ductor and get to the wire right when he says so.

Race 8: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) F.OC 25000n1x

*Gullet Shot of the Day #5 On Alert (8/1) – This filly showed talent last year running huge late pace figures closing into slow paces. She returned off a long layoff last time at this level and clearly needed the race. On Alert was way far back behind a slow pace and Castellano barely rode her. She galloped out past most of the field and now she’s primed to run her best. She gets back to her best distance today too. She’ll be the key to the Ductor’s day.