Gulfstream Park West Horse Racing Picks for Wednesday 11/18/20
It's a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.
Starting at 12:35 p.m. EST, we have eight races at Gulfstream Park West. Using numberFire’s projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets.
As always, check the program for scratches and changes, and check the weather and track conditions.
(I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure in selected races, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions.)
Matcha, Race 1
FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2
Race 1 is a Maiden Claiming race for fillies and mares sprinting 5 furlongs on the turf. The top pick according to numberFire's data is Matcha (4/1), followed by longshot Bend The Knee (12/1) and the favorite Platinumcents (5/2).
Matcha looks to break through in his seventh start this year after finishing a fast-closing third last out off a layoff. Platinumcents is 0-for-7 this year and ran his best race in July when pressing the pace and losing by nose. Twinkiesandturnip (12/1) is also 0-for-7 and finished fourth behind Matcha from the far outside post, and her last race was forced off the turf. She could surprise with a more forwardly placed run.
Outshine and Gran Omero, Race 6
FanDuel Racing Odds: 2/1 and 8/1
Race 6 is a bigger Claiming race at 7 furlongs, and Daily Horse Picks projects the favorite Outshine (2/1) to edge Five of Hearts (6/1) for the win, but numberFire’s algorithm likes Five of Hearts on top.
Outshine returns to a competitive level he won at in May as the favorite and is now off a layoff with his last race a fourth-place finish in July. Five of Hearts broke through last month but still needs more speed to win back-to-back.
Richard the Great (3/1) is an 8-year-old with graded stakes history and is racing for the first time since January. Apache (5/1) is the ‘now’ horse with two straight victories and improved 80’s speed figures. He’ll be tested for class in this one, while Gran Omero (8/1) rates the fastest in speed according to Daily Horse Picks, but he’s been off nearly three months. Still, Horse Racing Radar notes his past speed figures are better, and his odds were lower when finishing second 11 months ago against stakes caliber horses. Gran Omero is freshened and could be ready to fire.
Sunset Empire , Race 7
FanDuel Racing Odds: 4/1
Race 7 is an Allowance race for state-bred fillies and mares sprinting 6 furlongs. The numberFire projection has Sunset Empire (4/1) as the winner, and Guaranteed Tip Sheet makes her a best bet. Sunset Empire is off back-to-back wins last month and now steps up in class with confidence and improved speed figures.
The favorite, Shes All Woman (5/2), is working sharply in the mornings and won last time out as the favorite. Horse Racing Radar notes she’s 7-for-9 in the money at this distance and has tactical speed to stalk the pace and win again.
Uncaptured Ruby (5/1) is making her Gulfstream West debut for trainer Kelly Breen. She won back-to-back sprints against open competition at Monmouth.
