Gierkink: How I'll play Gulfstream on Saturday, Feb. 11

The late pick five starts in the eighth race with a promising field of maiden 3-year-olds in a 7 1/2-furlong turf sprint. The debuting ROCKETRY (1) recorded a series of B- drills on the DRF Clocker Report prior to working an impressive B+ on the grass at Palm Meadows on Feb. 3. I’ll also use WANNABEAPLAYER (10), who has worked nicely since narrowly losing his opener in a similar spot.

The 5-2 morning-line favorite, SANDIVA (6), could make her final career start a winning one in the ninth, the Grade 3 Suwannee River. SEA COAST (1) just finished second to Sandiva in the Grade 3 Marshua’s River. I’ll also use recent allowance/optional-claiming winner ELYSEA’S WORLD (#5), who was cross-entered in a stakes at Tampa Bay Downs by trainer Chad Brown but will go here instead, and possible pacesetter DICKINSON (8), who’s picking up the aggressive Paco Lopez.

In the 10th, ALMANAAR (#2) has recorded a pair of B+ works since losing the Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale by a neck Jan. 14. He’s making his second start following a layoff, as is the likely favorite in the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap, DIVISIDERO (#6), who’s also been working lights-out.

My 11th-race key will be the one to catch in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Handicap, SHARP AZTECA (#7), who earned a fat 106 Beyer Speed Figure when a close second after dueling up front in the Grade 1 Malibu on opening day at Santa Anita. Off some rapid breezes at “Calderstream” for trainer Jorge Navarro, he should be ready to roll in his 4-year-old debut.

The nightcap, a $16,000 claimer on the grass, is wide open, so I’ll buy the race.

PICK 5 (RACES 8-12): 1,10 / 1,5,6,8 / 2,6 / 7 /ALL

If I get knocked out in the first leg, I’ll use the same horses in the late pick four.