Hammersly: Gulfstream pick three for Saturday, Dec. 27

Some big, competitive fields in the Grade 3 La Prevoyante and Grade 3 W. L. McKnight make the pick three involving those races (8-10) quite attractive. They also sandwich a competitive Mr. Prospector.

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Race 8

MAXIMOVA (#4) may be poised for an upset. She chased a real nice mare at Aqueduct when third last time (Nov. 8). She’s got talent and maybe she wanted this long trip all along. CAY DANCER (#11) is a scary English invader who comes here sharp and looks to have improved now that she’s been given more ground. IRISH MISSION (#12) found the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf waters too deep but this is a better spot both in terms of class and distance. PHOTO CALL (#3) looked super beating N1X foes in her U.S. debut at Keeneland Oct. 24 and may be ready for this kind of class hike. PREMIUM (#9) has been knocking on the door and may be ready to turn the corner.

A’s) 4, 11
B’s) 3, 12
C’s) 9

Race 9

CALAMONDIN (#3) looks back on his game. After a dull turf stakes try at Laurel he was laid off, returned to dirt at Parx Nov. 30 and blasted his rivals. Toss that turf start and you’re looking at four straight wins, all on dirt. SPEECHIFY (#6) comes here sharp off an easy win in the Kenny Noe Jr. at Gulfstream Park West. Like CALAMONDIN he looks well situated being back on dirt. He’s also 3 for 5 here. RISK FACTOR (#1) made a threatening move in the Kenny Noe as the 2-1 favorite but flattened out. He did have some trouble and is capable of better. SINGANOTHERSONG (#7) won this last year, and while he doesn’t come here nearly as sharp, the fact they give him a crack at defending his title encourages.

A’s) 3, 6
B’s) 1
C’s) 7

Race 10

SLUMBER (#6) kept to his task smartly to be a sharp second in the Bowl Game at Belmont Oct. 19. Trouble is, today’s foe NORTH SLOPE was just a bit better. He’s been freshened and can get his revenge. NORTH SLOPE (#3) came into his own this summer/fall, and that Bowl Game win over SLUMBER stamps him the one to beat. DIVINE OATH (#13) has faced some of the best 3-year-old turfers and handled himself well. The only two times he set foot on this course (last winter), he won. ROYAL BLESSING (#11) was claimed for just $25,000 at Belmont Oct. 9 and was pitched right into a Canadian Grade 3 – and he ran splendidly, finishing second (DQ’d to third). Apparently they bought at the right time.

A’s) 3, 6
B’s) 11, 13
C’s) None