Gulfstream Park Horse Racing Picks for Wednesday 7/8/20
With most of the sports world on pause, it's a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.
Starting at 12:00 p.m. EST today, we have 10 races at Gulfstream Park. Using our projections as a guide, here's a look at some of the best bets.
As always, keep an eye out for scratches and changes.
(I will be referencing Equibase's Speed Figure, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions)
Special Inclusion, Race 2 (12:30 PM)
FD Racing Odds: 5/2
Our model has Special Inclusion placing third in this Maiden Claiming event, but I like the filly's odds in this one. Her first career start was a runner-up finish with a figure of 62, though her effort six weeks ago was not quite as strong. Her last two workouts in June showed a two-year-old in excellent form. She'll be jockeyed by Emisael Jaramillo, who's second in purse at Gulfstream in 2020.
Dark Blue Flame (4/1) is certainly worth considering in her debut. She had a number of fantastic efforts at Tampa Bay downs in June and will be ridden by Mario Pino. Though Pino has only raced 17 times at Gulfstream this year, he has placed first in four of those. He's consistently winning close to 20% of his outings on a yearly basis. Current betting favorite Acting Lucky (9/5) is our model's top pick and is bound to be thereabouts. She posted a field-high figure of 68 in a race at this track two months ago. Longshot C'Est Parti (30/1) could surprise.
Pick 3
Create Again, Race 7 (3:09 PM)
FD Racing Odds: 12/1
At current 12/1 odds, it's impossible for me to look past Create Again. In a Claiming event at this track two months ago, the gelding posted a figure of 94. His form since has been top-notch, including a 5-furlong outing going under a minute. Jockey Christian Torres is sixth in earnings here this year.
Ice Tea (5/2) is our model's pick, and there's plenty to back that up. The six-year-old is an 11-time winner in 26 career starts. His recent form has been trending in the wrong direction, but this is a horse who posted four-straight figures above 100 this time last year. Meade (8/1) is a five-time victor with peaking form. He should be in the mix. Current favorite R Mercedes Boy (9/5) hasn't won in his last five tries but is a three-time winner at this track. He'll benefit from a plus jockey booking.
Don V., Race 8 (3:41 PM)
FD Racing Odds: 4/1
In a Maiden Claiming with numerous horses making their debuts, Don V. is by far my favorite. Though not predicted to win, place, or show by our models, the gelding has a great chance at these odds. His only race was on January 1 -- a seventh-place finish at Santa Anita. However, his form since mid-May has been impeccable. He's had six workouts during that time, and each has been more impressive than the next. As an added bonus, he'll be jockeyed by Edgard Zayas, who's first in purse at this track this year.
Current betting favorite Bahamian Beat (7/5) achieved a field-best figure of 83 in his runner-up finish at Gulfstream on May 22, but his form since has been nothing to write home about. He'll have the aforementioned Emisael Jaramillo in saddle. Apache (12/1) is a longshot colt worth considering in his fifth career race. He's run for figures of 58-plus in three straight. His jockey booking is definitely a plus. Halo's Dance (15/1) currently has even longer odds, but he has the ability and form to be well in the mix. Our model likes Diligent (5/1) in his debut. I'm a bit more skeptical of the gelding's form coming in.
J's Indian Charm, Race 9 (4:13 PM)
FD Racing Odds: 4/1
The event of the day is this Allowance Optional Claiming, and it shouldn't disappoint. Though J's Indian Charm isn't a top-three pick by our model or the current odds, I like the mare's chances. In her last three races, she's had a win with a figure of 76 and a fourth-place finish with a figure of 82. Not too shabby. Overall, she's had five efforts of 74 or more in her last seven outings. Even more impressive were her workouts in June, posting incredible times in 4-furlong runs.
Baccarat Fashion (5/2) is both the current betting favorite and our model's top pick. Prior to a poor 53 showing, the mare had posted six straight efforts of 87-plus -- including two victories here. Her recent form is decent, but she'll need to pick it up to win in this field. Sayonara Baby (3/1) had a figure of 90 at the beginning of May before a lacking effort at the end of the month. The filly will look to regain her form in Race 9. Bargainaire (7/2) has had three straight runner-ups after winning two of his previous four outings. He has yet to reach a figure of 90 in 20 career starts.
