2/27: Gulfstream (1st-10th)

[Kasept]

Weather continues to wreak havoc with the racing calendar as venues deal with a strange and harsh winter. It's in the 40's at Gulfstream right now (7am), and though it should reach 70 degrees, rain may hit mid-afternoon, and there is a chance of a thunderstorm around 4pm which would affect the G3 Sabin (4:12p) and terrific G2 Davona Dale (4:43p). The card at Hallandale is compelling, with the three graded stakes and a P3 (2nd-4th) of one mile events for sophomore boys that should produce a few important types moving forward.

At Santa Anita, the G3 Sham is the key race as 10 three year olds audition for spots in the Santa Anita or maybe Sunland Derby. But the forecast is not good for Arcadia, and there's no way to know at this time if the problematic surface has already taken enough water to consider a cancellation. Rick Hammerle explained yesterday that the races on the downhill course are always the first to come of the turf, and that could impact the Magna 5 which includes the SA 4th as it's 2nd leg. Watch here for the any changes to this week's penta-pick which is the most difficult sequence of the M5 season yet.

Speaking of Santa Anita, Frank Stronach is in California and will be meeting with Ron Charles and company about the impending decision on a new main track surface. Increasingly, the mercurial Austrian-Canadian appears like a Mel Brooks-film character on acid, and is now mumbling about another attempt at a synthetic cake frosting for the main track, this time something that sounds like a version of Fibresand as discussed by Steve Crist yesterday. This of course comes after a majority of interested parties were thrilled at the prospect of a new dirt track at the Great Race Place. Stay tuned...

The GP slate and Magna 5 are the featured selections today. Let's hope the elements don't conspire against those that have been looking forward to today all week!


GULFSTREAM


POST-SCRATCHES


1st: S/ALW, 4+, 6.5f (P3, DD, Super)

Tough start with well-matched starter foes; Mike Welsch notes in DRF Weekend that Starforaday's bullet move came with him 'drifting in the latter stages while under pressure'.. Harry Benson has shopped for this spot with Post Time having scratched at least twice for today. Owned by 'Geno' Stevens and Carolyn (Mrs. Sonny) Hine, you can bet he's primed for the occasion..

SCR #3 Unbridled Heat and #7 Post Time..

Best Value: #6 Starship Valor 6-1 WON ($7.40)
Most Likely: #8 Starforaday 3-1 3rd
Next Best: #4 Hollywood Left 10-1 5th


2nd: MSW, 3yo, 1m (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #1a (POE) Our Dark Knight 4-1 2nd
Best Value: #6 Nadal 5-1 4th
Next Best: #5 Game On Dude 5-2 WON ($4.40)
Super Add: #4 Vanishing Buck 10-1 7th


3rd: ALW/NW2-C, 3yo, 1m (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #4 Radiohead 3-1 WON ($5.20)
Next Best: #2 Homeboykris 4-1 2nd
Best Value: #5 Call Shot 5-1 3rd
Super Add: #1 General Maximus 2-1 4th


4th: MSW, 3yo, 1m (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #7 Bushwacked 3-1 2nd
Best Value: #5 Miner's Reserve 4-1 WON ($8.00)
Next Best: #6 Forward Harch 5-2 3rd
Super Add: #9 Gothics Peak 8-1 7th


5th: MSW, 3yo-F, 5f-T (P6, P3, DD, Super)

Fun betting race..

Most Likely: #8 Atrea 6-1 WON ($6.60)
Next Best: #4 Wicked Ravnina 5-1 4th
Best Value: #10 Goolagong 12-1 2nd
Super Add: #12 Devastating Diva 10-1 6th


6th: ALW/N1X, 4+, 1m-T (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #12 War Hoot 7-2 4th
Best Value: #6 Stage Deli 12-1 8th
Next Best: #1 Dynamoor 4-1 WON ($5.40)
Super Add: #2 Spectacular Kid 30-1 5th


7th: 20th Sabin (G3), F&M-4+, 1m (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #1 Justwhistledixie 5-2 4th
Best Value: #5 Aurora Lights 6-1 WON ($23.00)
Next Best: #2 Matchless Orinda 4-1 2nd
Super Add: #3 Amazing 6-1 3rd


8th: 23rd Davona Dale (G2), 3yo-F, 1m (P3, DD, Super)

Superb cast for this productive winter test for soph fillies.. Expectation is that Biancone will SCR #6 Cristine Daae (Confirmed) for the Sunday spot. Should she run here today, she is as likely as the top pair..

Most Likely: #4 Bickersons 5-2 4th
Next Best: #8 Sassy Image 4-1 5th
Best Value: #3 Joanie's Catch 20-1 2nd
Super Add: #1 Amen Hallelujah 3-1 WON


9th: 22nd Very One (G3), F&M-4+, 11f-T (DD, Super)

Outrageous 14 horse field for Leg C of the Magna 5 and 3rd leg of of GP P4.. Use as many as you can given the nature of this three turn affair and the bulkiness of the field..

SCR #14 Lady Shakespeare 7-2 and note #16 Rcuandry WILL run..

Most Likely: #2 Belle Allure 6-1 8th
Best Value: #8 Mystic Miracle 12-1 10th
Next Best: #5 Cable 6-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #6 Celtic Princess 12-1 9th


10th: MDN CLM, 4+, 8.5f-OFF THE TURF AFTER LEAVING THE PADDOCK (Super)

Most Likely: #11 Smart Selection 5-2
Best Value: #8 Fearless 6-1
Next Best: #2 Tigresco 4-1
Super Add: #6 Alpha Glitter 10-1


<$75 P4 Play:

7: 1-2-5
8: 4-8
9: 2-5-6-8
10: 2-6-8-9-10-11

3x2x4x6 = 144 x .50 = $72



MAGNA 5


CANCELLED WITH SANTA ANITA


LAUREL 10th: Miracle Wood, 3yo, 7f (Super)

R. Dutrow is 'only' 5 of 7 so far this winter at LRL..

Most Likely: #10 Don't Blame the Cat 7-2 WON
Best Value: #12 Our Commander 12-1 6th
Next Best: #7 Turbo Speed 5-1 4th
Super Add: #3 Deputy Daney 4-1 5th


GOLDEN GATE 4th: CLM, 4+, 1m (P6, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #6 Wild Yankee 3-1
Best Value: #1 Starcast 6-1
Next Best: #2 Way too Much 4-1
Super Add: #7 Judge's Verdict 8-1


Good luck!
Steve