Friday’s Picks from Gulfstream Park & Fair Grounds

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

13 minute read

Aqueduct may run on Friday, but with another 1-3 inches of snow in the forecast and the potential for some freezing rain, I thought it would be better to head out to Gulfstream Park and Fair Grounds again this afternoon.

We will head back out to the Big A on Saturday where the sun will make an appearance and the feature is the $100,000 Maddie May for three-year-old fillies.

We have a big day on Saturday with the $20 million Saudi Cup with a marquee showdown between Knicks Go and Charlatan.

The Bob Baffert trained Charlatan is the 7-5 morning line favorite. The colt is perfect in four starts, winning the seven-furlong Malibu (G1) on Dec. 26 in his last outing.

Knicks Go, trained by Brad Cox, has reeled off four wins in a row including the Pegasus World Cup (G1) in his last start. He capped off his 2020 campaign by winning the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

Both like to be on the lead, and it is quite possible we could see a hot early pace that could make the duo vulnerable. Could a Tacitus or Max Player come calling late? I will break down the race in tomorrow’s column.

In addition, we will head out to Laurel Park for the Winter Sprintfest on Saturday. There are six stakes on the card including the $250,000 General George (G3) and the $250,000 Barbara Fritchie (G3).

You can stream the action today by using the TVG App. The horse betting company based in the U.S. is offering a 50% deposit match up to $250 .  In addition, AmWager is offering up to a $500 bonus for new horseplayers.

My Best Plays Report for Friday includes my eight strongest plays from Gulfstream Park and Fair Grounds.

Now is the perfect time to purchase my Monthly Package. It gives you a month of Aqueduct Reports daily and my Best Plays Report each Saturday and Sunday.

GULFSTREAM PARK RACE 3 ANALYSIS (2:08 P.M. ET)

Race 3 Md $35,000

• #3 High Tide 7-2
• #4 Alonzo Mosely 5-2
• #2 Maker of an Empire 9-2
• #7 Gunman 3-1

Analysis: High Tide goes from Pletcher to Maker who is 17% winners with newcomers to the barn. Last out was his first start for a tag. The gelding tracked the early pace and did not have enough punch left late in a fourth-place finish, beaten three lengths going nine furlongs. This guy was a game second three back going 1 3/8 miles at Belmont Park, beaten just 3/4 of a length. He has put in three good works and looks capable of moving forward off his last effort. He is out of the turf stakes winner Bauble Queen ($221,257) that has dropped two other foals to race, both turf winners including stakes winner Blitzkrieg ($435,457).

Alonzo Mosely makes his second start off the bench and first for a tag for the Clement barn. Last march here in his second career start he was beaten just a nose. He ran third in his debut behind Domestic Spending who won the Hollywood Derby (G1) in his last outing. He should be tighter second off the bench and the barn is 43% winners (with a +ROI) dropping runners form maiden special to maiden claiming. The trainer sure is having a slow meet however, hitting at just a 6% clip overall.

FAIR GROUNDS RACE 5 ANALYSIS (2:56 P.M. CT)

Race 5 Md $12,500

• #4 Charity for All 8-1
• #5 Gold Account 5-2
• #3 Easy to Miss 3-1
• #8 Just Gun It 6-1

Analysis: Charity for All chased the early pace and was no match for the top pair last out in a third-place finish. Two back this guy dueled for the early lead after getting bumped coming out of the gate and weakened to finish fourth. He was claimed out of his last outing by the Silva barn that is showing a 0 for 14 mark first off the claim. However, if we go back five years the barn has hit at a 16% clip first off the claim. There is no early zip signed up in here and this guy looks capable of shaking loose early under Saez. Decent value if he goes off near his 8-1 morning line.

Gold Account was not a factor last out in his first trip on turf against $30,000 foes. His first two career starts came on the take stuff at Turfway Park. Off the bench three back he ran a good second here for $30,000 in a race taken off the turf. He was no match for a 7 1/4 length winner two back in his second start on conventional dirt. The switch back to the main track here suits and he drops into an easier spot. He is out of a Noble Causeway mare that has dropped two other foals to race with one winner.

Good luck today!

VegasInsider Staff

More from VegasInsider Staff