Illman: Gulfstream pick four play for Saturday, Jan. 16
The late pick four at Gulfstream Park on Sunshine Millions Saturday is a solid sequence with three stakes races and a wide-open maiden special weight for 3-year-old dirt sprinters.
My plan is to try to beat the two morning-line favorites in both the first and third legs.
Both FLUTTERBY (5) and LEGAL LAURA (4) figure to take money in the Sunshine Millions Distaff and I’m willing to let them knock me out of the wager. Flutterby, a hard-hitting mare, looked very tired winning the Added Elegance Stakes two starts back and bombed at 2-5 in her next race. Perhaps she is feeling the effects from a long nine-start campaign in 2015 and might have to deal with other speeds here. Legal Laura enjoyed a perfect tracking trip when beating Flutterby on Nov. 7. I wonder if she’s as good as that race looks on paper.
I’ll instead use razor-sharp MOM’Z LAUGH (1), a filly who is a head away from being undefeated in her last five dirt sprint starts, along with horse for course DOGWOOD TRAIL (7), a newly turned 4-year-old who might benefit from a more patient ride than the dead-send mission she was given in the recent Sugar Swirl Stakes. Also, YOU BOUGHT HER (8) should once again get pace to attack in the stretch and today’s additional distance should be right up her alley.
As a backup, I utilized MOMENT OF DELIGHT (6), who cuts back in distance and drops in class following a wide trip in the Grade 3 Rampart Stakes.
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I lean heavily on Chad Brown’s FUNDAMENTAL (2) in the Sunshine Millions Turf. Although he’s tackling older horses, Fundamental had troubled trips in his last three starts and performed well each time. As a lightly raced 4-year-old, it’s probable that there’s still some upside here and he should get some pace to run at late.
My lone backup is the sharp REPORTING STAR (11), who would benefit from a little cut in the ground and should get the jump on the top pick turning for home.
MR. JORDAN (9) could be the lone speed in the Sunshine Millions Classic, and he had a major excuse when off slowly last week against better horses, but I don’t believe he’s going to be at his best going a demanding nine furlongs. Defending champion SR. QUISQUEYANO (8) has enough speed to push Mr. Jordan, and that could work against both of them. Plus, I wonder if Sr. Quisqueyano is a bit off form.
I’ll fish for prices. ABOUNDING LEGACY (1) has distance and class questions to answer, but he drew a great inside post position and was visually impressive last time out. He has turned the corner since being gelded over the summer. MEXIKOMA (5) wouldn’t mind any moisture in the track and has the back class to threaten if given a good pace up front. CATHOLIC COWBOY (10) likes this distance, has been facing good open company, and should be running late.
My deep backup is the sharp SARAGUARO (4), who needs a slight Beyer boost in order to contend for win honors.
SHARP AZTECA (6) was live in his debut here last month but had the misfortune to face Todd Pletcher’s Zulu, who came right back to win yesterday afternoon. Sharp Azteca showed big speed that day and looms the horse to beat if able to duplicate that effort. In case Pletcher has another good firster to deny Sharp Azteca, I’ll also use BOALT HALL (11), a $360,000 purchase with quick works.
As backups, I’ll play the debuting UNCLE GUY (4), an Uncle Mo colt with Javier Castellano aboard for Mike Maker, STAR HILL (3), a half-brother to graded winner Leigh Court dropping out of the Grade 3 Iroquois, and STREET GRAY (9), a $750,000 purchase adding blinkers after an even debut.
Best of luck!