Garrity's Sunday picks for Gulfstream Park, Aqueduct and Oaklawn, include the Damon Runyon
We have three plays for this March Sunday, in Florida, New York, and Arkansas. We expect fast dirt and firm turf; let’s go.
Gulfstream Park, Race 9, 4:36 pm ET
Allowance/Optional Claiming, 5 furlongs, Turf, 4 & Up
This first-level allowance turf sprint in South Florida drew a field of eight. We’re all in on 5-Hope in Him, an absolute speedball who has had the early lead in each of his last seven races. He will make it eight in this spot; he’s going to outrun the rest of the field early, and do it so easily that he will romp home on the front end. We will bet him to win at 5/2. The bet: Gulfstream Park, Race 9, $40 to win on 5-Hope in Him.
Aqueduct, Race 8, 5:00 pm ET
$100,000 Damon Runyon Stakes, 6 furlongs, Dirt, New York-bred 3-Year-Olds
A field of six lines up for the Damon Runyon. The pick is 5-D’ont Lose Cruz, who cuts back in distance after setting the pace and fading in a mile race in his last start. He will not get the lead here – there are faster colts drawn to his inside – but he should get a perfect stalking trip instead, sitting just behind, and outside, the early leaders, seizing control of the race when the field turns into the stretch, and the pacesetters begin to tire. We will bet him to win at 2-1. The bet: Aqueduct, Race 8, $40 to win on 5-D’ont Lose Cruz.
Oaklawn Park, Race 8, 5:22 pm ET
Allowance/Optional Claiming, 1 1/16 miles, Dirt, 3-Year-Old Fillies
3-year-old allowance fillies, nine of them, go in today’s 8th at Oaklawn Park. The pick is 3-Take Charge Briana, who gets massive class relief here, as this is her first time since she broke her maiden last September that she is not running in a stakes race. We think that she will imporve in a big way against this much weaker competition, and will consequently bet her to win at 3-1. The bet: Oaklawn Park, Race 8, $40 to win on 3-Take Charge Briana.
That’s all for today. Until the next time, enjoy the racing, be safe, and, as always, good luck at the windows.