Gulfstream Late Pick 5 12.23.20
Race 6 – $35K Claimers (35-25) B
3yo’s↑ going one mile
#2 Skyscanner (10/1): colt out of Bernardini and mid-Atlantic shipper scored a win in a $42K allowance early this fall at Delaware and seems to have fallen out of form. Trainer Jeremiah O’Dwyer on a roll lately and his record of 4:1-2-0 for $55K at the distance can make him worthy of an exotic play. #5 Turn On The Magic (4/1): Tyler Gaffalione up for the first time and this 3yo has shown spark versus much tougher. Wired the field three back at this course and distance and evidently didn’t care for the footing last out at GPW. 5:2-0-1 for $78K at GP. He’s one to consider. #6 Han Sense (9/5): Kelly Breen trainee last seen at Saratoga where he was third in the betting and pulled up. This graded stakes placed gray caught a hot pace in July at Belmont where he fought thru and got up for second. The next out, and perhaps the previous took too much out of him, he was vanned away on the backside. He’s been on the bench for 140 days and his works have been so-so. He’s now in for a $35K tag and frankly 9/5 is an overlay. #4 Brasstown (5/2) is the one to catch and has an excellent chance at that. Although he has yet to win at this distance, this race is devoid of early speed and it wouldn’t surprise to see him pull it off.
My choice is #4 Turn On The Magic. Gaffalione is going to keep nearer to the pace and draw clear in the stretch. Recent work of :36.8 shows he’s in shape and the runners in his last have all come back to post higher results.
Race 7 – $16K Claimers
3yo’s↑ going 5F on turf
#3 Mar Vista Miguel (15/1) should set a torrid pace and with the track bias being unfavorable for front running sprinters on turf, he may hang around for a paycheck. #7 Apache Brave (8/1) will be pushing the pace up front and changing barns to Georgina Baxter an outstanding omen. There is no hotter trainer at GP hitting 6:3-2-1. Tyler Gaffalione gets the call. Interestingly, this 6yo has tried 20 times at GP turf and has laid a fat goose egg. #1 Earth (6/1) will be on the front end as well and can make this interesting. #4 Colonel Tom (9/2): 5yo having a solid 2020 going 5:2-1-0 for $46K. Ships in from Aqueduct and the connections changed trainers to Brittany Russell where she is 24% with newcomers to her barn. The distance is more his style hitting 7:4-1-0 for $102K. #5 Oak Bluffs (6/1): 10-year-old gelding a lover of GP turf scoring 16:5-5-0 for $164K and overall lifetime 63:21-10-7 for $740K. He’s been a money burner of late, yet seemingly is rounding into form. Paco Lopez gets his fourth try and look for him to be flying late. #12 Discretionary Marq (7/2) positive move getting Irad Ortiz for Luis Carvajal, Jr. Monmouth shipper stayed near a slow pace and held gamely for second.
My choice is #11 Like What I See (5/1). Joe Bravo and Kelly Breen are 28% together. Entered the $90K Claiming Crown Canterbury stakes last out, he chased the leaders for the first half then faded back. Now returning to a level and distance where he’ll press the leaders and move around the turn for the money.
Race 8 – $35K Optional Claiming N1X
3yo↑ fillies and mares 8F
#6 Abilene Trail (7/2): Big things expected for this $400K filly out of Curlin. With Pletcher as trainer and Irad in the irons, she will take the money. Fractious in the gate last out, she ran to the lead and gassed herself out of contention. Two good works since and she will be the one to catch. #4 Sammie Sunshine (10/1): 25:6-7-1 for $159K at GP, he stayed near the lead last out in the slop at GPW and closed to within a little more than a length. Keep this guy around for an exotic wager. #5 Alizee (9/2) just put in a 1:01 work at GP where she is 3:2-0-1 for $46K and is having a good year 6:2-0-2 for $54K. 4yo filly is coming into form after working out of the Navarro ether. Not crazy about her being in for a tag. #7 Heiressindy (3/1) has been the bridesmaid the past four and burning a lot of money. Paco Lopez takes over for and with Teresa Pompay, they’re 25%. Will Paco press or rate? #2 Recoded (5/2): A popular one at the claiming box of late, she ships south for the Tomlinson barn and is seeking her third win in a row. Tomlinson 10% off the claim and 0% with Julian Leparoux. Her numbers are strong and she’s in protected, so I am not convinced she’s worth the short price. A lover of the long shot, I am going to make a stake with #8 Perspire (20/1). Trainer Juan Alvarado 18% with horses off this long and her workouts leading up to this race have been increasingly better. 11:2-1-2 at GP for $110K and 6:3-1-0 for $108K at the distance makes her an interesting prospect.
Short on time, here’s the rest….
Race 9 - $16K Optional Claiming N1X
State breds 3yo↑ 1mile on turf
#7 Kroy (4/1) over #6 Shamrocket (9/5) #10 Cerrado (20/1) gets a slice
Race 10 –$20K Claiming (20-16) N2L
3yo↑ on turf 5F
#6 French Reef (2/1) first off the claim for Rohan Crichton. #9 Mister Kelly (12/1) plays a factor and the choice is #11 Surprise Factor (9/2). interesting longshot: #12 Weekend Dreamer (20/1).