Gierkink: How I'll play Gulfstream for Sunday, March 19
A first-level allowance route on grass launches the late pick five Sunday at Gulfstream Park, and CONQUEST SANDMAN (1) could run big in the third race of his form cycle. The rider switch from Luis Saez to Jose Ortiz could be construed as a positive for us Ortiz fans. The two comebackers in the field, MORAL HIGH GROUND (3) and ARGHAD (4), are both wild cards that should be used.
There’s a plethora of first-timers in the 10th, a six-furlong maiden special for 3-year-old fillies. Among them, SURPRENANTE (6), LOVE FOR OVIE (7), and BIXBY LOU (8) are preferred. SHEPLAYSTHEFIELD (9), who weakened to third after flashing speed in each of her excursions, should be prominent in her second start with Lasix.
The two logical options in the 11th are JERMYN STREET (1) and NOTAPRADAPRICE (4). Both were competitive in a similar optional starter on Feb. 1, which Notapradaprice won at 13-1 under Nik Juarez. Jermyn Street figures to save ground early under the bug rider Carlos Hernandez.
CONQUEST SUPERSTEP (1) will be my key in the 12th. According to the DRF Clocker Report, he had worked brilliantly for his return from a layoff in a seven-furlong first-level optional claimer Feb. 24, but could only manage fourth in a flat-footed performance. The stretch-out to a mile should be to his benefit, and his new rider, Tyler Gaffalione, has fared okay for the Mark Casse barn.
The nightcap is a competitive $16,000 claimer at 1 1/16 miles on grass. It can probably be pared down to CAJUN QUEEN (4), FEARLESS PRINCESS (5), ALILACTION (6), and VOW ME OVER (7).
Pick 5 (Races 9-13): 1,3,4/6,7,8,9/1,4/1/4,5,6,7
The rider switch to the often aggressive Paco Lopez on Alilaction (6) in the 13th is appealing. I will play her to win if she’s at least 8-1.