Saturday, I couldn't get past a couple Canadians at Gulfstream Park in a pair of undercard races on the Fountain of Youth card: Tower of Texas in the appropriately named Canadian Turf, and Elusive Collection in the Sand Springs.
In Saturday's Palm Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park, I like Urban Bourbon, who won a live maiden race over the Gulfstream course two starts back in his first attempt going two turns on grass, and who was a very good third in the Dania Beach Stakes last time out.
Mohaymen was not really in a great spot during the running of the Holy Bull at Gulfstream. The unbeaten colt, with Beyers of 87, 89, 95 and 95, should get a trip more conducive to his style in the Fountain of Youth.
Brad Free's horses to watch at Santa Anita for the week of Feb. 22.
Trip Notes for February 20: Risen Star, Rachel Alexandra, Buena Vista, and more by Michael Hammersly.
Focusing around the single of Tap to It in Sunday’s featured Margate Handicap at Gulfstream, here is my wagering strategy for Sunday’s late pick four there. The horses listed below are ranked either as ‘A’ or ‘B’ runners based on their chances of winning and then plugged into DRF’s TicketMaker program for a $34 play.
Racing programs such as the Santa Anita card on Sunday will test a bettor’s discipline. Nine races, yes. Attractive wagering contests, no. Most fields are small, and the biggest fields will race on a turf course that might still be wet after a half-inch of midweek rain. Furthermore, preliminary analysis is hardly creative. Eight selections by this handicapper are 3-1 or less; the top choice in the opener is likely to be bet down from a 7-2 line.
Dave Litfin's horses to watch at Aqueduct for the week of Feb. 20.
Saturday's late pick four at Gulfstream Park is a challenging, all-turf sequence with a combined 44 entrants, not counting also-eligibles.
DRF handicapper Matt Bernier outlines his strategy for a pick three play on Saturday's program at Santa Anita.
