Gierkink: How I'll play Gulfstream on Saturday, Feb. 18

The late pick five begins with race 8 with a group of $75,000 maidens going long on the grass. It can be pared down to two droppers from maiden special weight company – LITTLE IRISHDANCER (4), who was among four next-out winners in her last race at Churchill, and PSALMODY (7) – along with the in-form duo of LITTLE HAVANA (3) and GOLD LACE (6).

No shortage of nicely bred debut runners in the ninth, a one-mile maiden special for 3-year-olds. CRUZ DIEZ (2) and TAKE YOUR GUNS (5) have worked quickly, and both are half-brothers to a graded route stakes winners. PATCH (3) is stretching out off a closing second, and the son of Union Rags is a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Tiz Windy. NEWMAN (13) placed in two good maiden special events in New York before coming up empty in the Grade 2 Remsen.

CAPTAIN GAUGHEN (3) could take some catching under Paco Lopez in the 10th race, a 7 1/2-furlong optional claimer on the grass. I’ll also use TOMBELAINE (6), a stakes winner in Ireland trained by Chad Brown.

Inside trips/speed have been effective on the main track this week, and such a bias would benefit MOMENT OF DELIGHT (1) in the 11th, the White Pearl Stakes. DISTINTA (7) is a must-use off a third behind Curlin’s Approval in the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie. I will exclude morning-line favorite Sophie’s Song, who drew unfavorably on the outside in the seven-furlong sprint.

Off a dominating maiden score, morning-line favorite DELTA PRINCE (5) is the one to fear most in the nightcap. I’ll also use longshot KELLY TOUGH (1) and second choice PUISSANT (3), who figures to improve in his second start on this side of the pond.

PICK 5 (RACES 8-12): 3,4,6,7 / 2,3,5,13 / 3,6 / 1,7 / 1,3,5

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