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.