Gulfstream Park Wednesday: Mike Dennis handicaps the Late Pick 5
Mike Dennis
@blinkersoff420
Jan 20, 2021
GP – Late Pick 5
Hello and thank you for reading, I hope all of our readers on Bettor’s insider are doing well. It is hump day and Gulfstream Park kicks off week 8 of the Championship Meet. Time to dive into the late pick 5.
Race 6 – F – OC 50k/SAL50k – One Mile – Dirt – 3 YO
We each have our own handicapping tools, for me it is simple and sweet. The traditional past performances are in use, along with some sort of workout report, replays and for certain race types I use OPTIX EQ. Overall a bit of a trapped feeling in the first leg of the late pick 5. Both Shiny Empire (#2) and Sunny Isle Beach (#3) ran 1st and 2nd against each other last out and it may happen again based off class, pace and speed #’s. Pretty Rachel (#5) is my “C” horse and at 12-1 will have to step it up quite a bit to get a repeat win. Maybe she can set off the inside speed of the 1-3 horses and pull an upset. Happy Constitution (#6) drops in class, adds Lasix and a different Ortiz brother on the mount. Going back to the dirt, which she has previously won on. The turn back in distance is appealing as well, the early speed shown on paper may be meant by others, unless Irad holds her back and hopes for a quick pace.
3-2-5-6
Race 7 – S - OC 16k/N1X – 1 1/16 Miles – Turf – 4 ^
Souper Watson (#5) trained by Mark Casse is my top choice in this OC16 bash. With a morning line set at 8-1 and inside speed drawn next door the pace may be there with the #4, Sir Seamus and #1, Freedom Matters. Souper Watson should have first run at the front with the deep closers gunning for him. If the pace is not too quick the sire of Ghostzapper will hopefully hit the wire first. Alternatively, Sir Seamus may get loose.
5-4-1-8
Race 8 – Clm 35000 (35-25) – 6 Furlongs – Dirt – 3 YO
Luis on the lead is a favorite saying of mine. In race 8 it looks to be the case with the Kelly Breen trained Carson City Kid (#5). Obvious concern with no workouts since the claim but FTL and unreal trainer stats so far this meet led me to using him in the A spot. #3, Foster Hope broke his maiden last out gong 6 ½ Furlongs on a fast GP track. Taking off the ½ furlong may benefit the Plesa Jr horse for speed reasons. Crazy Shot (#7) is dropping after two attempts at higher class since breaking his maiden, which leads me to using him as a “C” horse.
5-3-7-8
Race 9 – F – Clm 35000 (35-25) N2L – Turf – 1 1/16 Miles – 4^
One angle which is heard a million times by horse players is the “Kitten’s Joy” angle. #4, Kitten’s Finest has a morning line at 12-1, which like most at GP will be bet down accordingly. 74 is the # that stood out to me after a two month break or so coming back. The previous work, although 20 days ago looked at as a positive.
Kellyeycanrun (#11), coming from the rafters in the 11 post with speed #’s appealing to me with and an excuse last race out. Paco has a number for ruining pick 5 parties and even though it may be tough with the post he will not ruin my party, instead maybe he will turn it into one going into the last leg. 9-2 is the price and quick fractions is what she will need to win.
4-11-3-5
Race 10 – Md 20000 – 5 Furlongs – Turf – 4 ^
Closing out the card on hump day is a 5-furlong sprint for 4-year-old and up maidens. #6, Blakenstein looks capable with improvement. Many horses in this maiden race have had their cracks for a first win and going with the 2nd time out horse is how I prefer to play in such a case. Luis on the lead and some slight improvement may get this pick 5 to cash land.
Joyful Surprise (#7) has comparable speed numbers with tougher races. If effort translates to Gulfstream Park, the gelding might be a player. Showed speed 3 races back going a tad longer.
6-7-8-2
Best of luck today and give me a follow @blinkersoff420 and @bettorsinder for all of your betting content.