Illman: How I'd play Gulfstream on Saturday, Dec. 19
Gulfstream’s Saturday card features plenty of excellent betting races full of evenly matched horses. Let’s look at the two stakes races for 3-year-olds on turf as well as a loaded maiden special weight for juvenile colts on the main track.
Tropical Park Oaks – Race 11
TAMMY THE TORPEDO, a lightly raced filly from the Chad Brown barn, had a perplexing trip in the Grade 2 Mrs. Revere Stakes at Churchill on Nov. 14. She appeared to be in a good striking position heading into the final bend but was shuffled back in between horses turning for home and was in behind rivals for the next furlong or so. I don’t think she would have beaten Isabella Sings with a clear run, but she probably would have finished closer than sixth.
There doesn’t appear to be much speed in the Tropical Park Oaks, and Joel Rosario might try to get a forward position without losing too much ground from a tough outside post. I’ll bet her to win at 5-1 odds or greater and will use her in exotics and multiple-race bets with OSAILA (3), SUSIE BEE (12), and PROMOTIONAL (6).
Maiden Special Weight – Race 8
This should be a fun heat. STREET GRAY (10) was a $45,000 buyback as a yearling but sold for a whopping $750,000 after breezing a furlong in 9.4 seconds back in April in Ocala. He received positive comments from the Breeze-Figs crew as well as our crack team of clockers in south Florida, is out of a half-sister to the good turf mare Honey Ryder, and goes out for the dangerous Mark Casse, a trainer who can win with a quality first-time starter. He’s worth a gamble at 3-1 or better.
This race kicks off the pick four. Others who deserve consideration on tickets include AVAST MATEY (1), a colt who returns from a summer layoff following a promising debut try; UNK (8), an Uncle Mo first-time starter out of the fleet Thunders Dove; and MO POWER (11), a Todd Pletcher-trained firster for John Velazquez and Mike Repole.
Tropical Park Derby – Race 9
WATCHYOUROWNBOBBER (9) hasn’t run a bad one on turf since being claimed by Mike Maker last year, and the colt’s good early speed should play well in the Tropical Park Derby. A gate-to-wire winner of the Showing Up Stakes at Gulfstream West on Halloween, Watchyourownbobber might get lost in the shuffle of the wagering one more time and is deserving of a bet at 5-1 or greater. TWEET KITTEN (8) and TEAM COLORS (11) are also playable in multiple-race wagers.
I’m against A LOT (11), the morning-line favorite. A Lot might want a shorter distance than this 1 1/16-mile route.
Here are some quick hits for some of the other races on the card.
Race 7: I’ll kick off the pick five with EL BOTAS (1) and LOUD CAT (10). I’M STEPPIN’ IT UP (2) will be a backup. It’s such a difficult race that I wonder if I’m using enough horses.
Race 10: I’ll try to get through the 10th with NAUSET BEACH (1), CASIGUAPO (2), TENNESSEE (3), and GHAREEB (8).
It’s a tough card, to be sure. Best of luck with your wagers.