Gierkink: How I'll play Gulfstream on Sunday, Feb. 17

TRENCHTOWN CAT (6) looks like a standout in the opening leg of the early Pick 5. The full sister to stakes-placed turf sprinter Princess Princess came close to landing her debut in another five-furlong maiden special on the grass. She’s since changed trainers, going to the hot Rohan Crichton, who has impressive numbers with new shooters, and when using Irad Oritz Jr.

The second race, a $6,250 mile, can probably be pared down to the in-form favorites FIRST DISTINCTION (2) and GRACE’S DRAMA (7).

Front-runner ANDRONIKOS (6) is the one to fear most in the third, a $30,000 conditioned claimer on the grass. He finished second in each of his starts since returning from a long layoff, and has been working well, according to the DRF Clocker Report. LEMON BUZZ (1) should be a factor off the claim with Irad Ortiz taking over. COURAGE AND HONOR (7) appears to be rounding back into form.

ELISSAS SECRET (7) seems poised to earn her diploma in the fourth, in her second try off a $25,000 claim by leading trainer Navarro. The dicey dropper UNCOMMON FACTOR (4) is a wild card with blinkers off. She’s competing for half the $50,000 price for which she was recently claimed, but she worked a B on the Clocker Report the other day, and has yet to compete on a fast track.

The fifth has a few obvious contenders, but with just seven entrants in the $6,250 sprint, it’s affordable enough to buy the race with the hope of a square payoff.

Pick 5: 6/2,7/1,6,7/4,7/ALL