Brad Free's cross-country plays for Thursday, April 30, 2020

An appealing card Thursday at Gulfstream Park includes several live longshots; the deep and baffling card at Oaklawn Park produced one play. Jumping in:

Gulfstream Park double, races 2-3 (1:35 p.m. ET) – If the program favorite wins either race, the double is dead. The favorites could win both, but neither is a cinch. In race 2, Sunshine City (3) is from a stable whose debut 2-year-olds tend to be undervalued. In race 3, Monmouth Dr (6) is a dropper at even-money, not usually a great bet. The double excludes both.

Race 2 – Special Inclusion (1) is the first runner by freshman stallion Social Inclusion, a 100-plus Beyer Speed Figure speedball. Trainer Gilberto Zerpa won with his first three debut 2-year-olds last year. Missing Link (2) is by Kantharos, an 18 percent juvenile-debut sire; trainer David Fawkes wins with this type. Special Inclusion is 3-1; Missing Link 4-1.

Race 3 – Steadily (2) misfired last out, his previous effort puts him in the hunt. Crupi’s Pizza Dom (4) is the speed of the field at 10-1; Dazzling Prose (7) returns from a five-month layoff with figures that fit. Races 2-3 double: 1, 2 with 2, 4, 7 ($1 minimum = $6).

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Oaklawn Park, race 2 (2:35 p.m. ET) – Young Hendrick (2) is the play, first start off the claim by Karl Broberg. The gelding is re-entered at the same claim level, but Broberg employed the “entered not to be claimed” waiver. It signals optimism. Young Hendrick is proven at the level, fast enough on numbers, and quick enough to the make the lead. Long gone at 4-1?

Gulfstream Park, race 6 (3:45 p.m. ET) – Humor Me Dixie (8), sibling to 2019 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile third-place finisher Blue Chipper, ran well finishing third in her debut last summer against a strong field. Off since, working well, and quicker than program favorite Fuddled (9), Humor Me Dixie should fire first start back. She is listed at 6-1.

Gulfstream Park, race 8 (4:48 p.m. ET) – The hottest trainer last week at Gulfstream was Jaime Mejia; his three upset winners all were making their first start since changing trainers. The angle applies to Tapi Frost (6) at 15-1. (Note: Mejia also entered Lovedisc in race 4, on turf.)

Gulfstream Park, race 9 (5:19 p.m. ET) – Sister Otoole (2) is not fast enough – yet – to win this Florida-bred entry-level allowance turf mile. But she blazed her final quarter-mile two back in 22.67 seconds, and her maiden win last out was visually sharp. Sister Otoole is listed at 6-1, the gamble is she continues her improving pattern.