Bernier: Gulfstream pick three play for Saturday, Dec. 12

The late pick three at Gulfstream Park on Saturday afternoon is comprised of three ungraded stakes events, and I’ll be taking a small swing at the sequence.

Race 9 (South Beach)

The two horses exiting the My Charmer Handicap at Gulfstream West seem to be the two horses to beat in this field. HOPE CROSS (6) finished very nicely in that event, and a replica of that effort would make her a handful in this spot. Hope Cross has the look of a filly who is finally putting everything together late in her 4-year-old campaign. While only a head behind Hope Cross in the My Charmer, LORI’S STORE feels like she’ll need to run a career race and have Hope Cross take a step back if she’s to turn the tables. Nonetheless, at an attractive price I’ll also include her on my ticket.

HORSES: 6 – HOPE CROSS, 10 – LORI’S STORE

RACE 10 – (Harlan's Holiday)

The Harlan’s Holiday is a competitive race featuring numerous solid runners, but I’ll look to take a stand here and single ENCRYPTION (7). Encryption ran a very nice race in the Fayette at Keeneland on the Breeders’ Cup Friday undercard, and it’s worth noting there have been three runners to return from that race and earn 100+ Beyer Speed Figures in their next starts. This Kelly Breen trainee has proven himself over the Gulfstream Park main track in the past and another quality start should be expected here.

HORSES: 7 – ENCRYPTION

RACE 11 –(El Prado)

The El Prado features plenty of early foot and I’ll hope to catch a decent number to round out this three-race sequence. AZTEC BRAVE (1) just got nipped at the wire in the Artie Schiller at Aqueduct last month, and his tactical speed could prove to be the difference maker here. VICTORY EXCHANGE (4) is a complete unknown here, as this 5-year-old will be making just his seventh lifetime start. Making him even more of an unknown is the fact that this will be his first time going two turns, as well as his first try on turf. A surprise package that has Javier Castellano aboard is a dangerous package that I would hate to have knock me out of a multi-race wager. TOWER OF TEXAS (5) should get the perfect setup from a pace standpoint, as he figures to do his best running late in a race loaded with early speed. REPORTING STAR (10) was disappointing in his prep race at Gulfstream West on Nov. 7, however his best races certainly make him a contender. The best horse in the race is likely WAR CORRESPONDENT (11), and although the long layoff is a bit of a concern, this Christophe Clement trainee has proven himself at Gulfstream Park in the past.

HORSES: 1 – AZTEC BRAVE, 4 – VICTORY EXCHANGE, 5 – TOWER OF TEXAS, 10 – REPORTING STAR, 11 – WAR CORRESPONDENT