Illman: Pick four play for Gulfstream on Sunday, Jan. 18

Today’s late pick four at Gulfstream looks like a difficult sequence. It’s book-ended by maiden races on the grass featuring several first-time turf runners. Handicappers could make a case for almost all of the horses in those races, and pick four players are betting blind into a last leg that features a debut runner trained by Chad Brown. Ideally, it would be nice to get a gauge on tote action, but that’s not going to happen with this type of wager.

I’ll make a small play featuring a few price horses as there is potential for a large pick four payout.

Race 8

I’m fascinated by QUEEN OF SCAT (#7), a filly trying turf for the first time. She has the qualities one looks for in an inexperienced, first-time grass performer.

Pedigree: Queen of Scat’s sire connects with 16 percent of first-time turf runners. Her second dam defeated males in the Grade 3 Bay Meadows Breeders’ Cup Derby at 1 1/8 miles on sod with a 99 Beyer Speed Figure. There is enough turf in this pedigree that makes me believe she’ll appreciate the surface switch.

Trainer: Let’s look at some of Dale Romans’ dirt-to-turf moves in recent years at Gulfstream Park.

BRAVO CHARLIE – Jan. 3, 2015 – wins a maiden special weight at 14-1 following two starts on dirt in Kentucky.
SHE’S JUSTIFIED – March 2, 2014 – wins a maiden special weight at 5-2 following one sprint and one route on dirt.
FINNEGANS WAKE – Jan. 1, 2012 – wins a maiden special weight at 30-1 following a dull effort in an off-the-turf race at Churchill.

Queen of Scat ran twice on dirt at Churchill Downs to kick off her career. She finished an even fifth in a sprint, then tired badly in an off-the-turf route. This pattern works for Romans.

Workouts: According to the extremely valuable Daily Racing Form Clocker Report, Queen of Scat seems to be doing well. The comment for her most recent workout reads as follows: “Jan. 12 – Worked with another Romans trainee in around the very wide dogs in 39.80 to the top, was not asked for much effort into a headwind finishing 18 lengths in front in a solid 1:05.80, and galloped out with good energy in 1:22 flat for six furlongs. Scat Daddy filly has taken to the turf nicely. Rating: B.”

Best of all, Queen of Scat should offer good value. She is 12-1 on the morning line. I will use her in the pick four, along with SACRED LUNA (#8) and GIANT CRYSTAL (#9). I do realize that BUGLE (#5) is the one to beat, but she’s going to take significant action, has already lost twice as the favorite, and didn't have much of an excuse last time out.

Caveman
7, 8, 9

Ticketmaker
A – 7, 8, 9

:: Build your pick four ticket with DRF TicketMaker

Race 9

I prefer VIPERA (#8) in this $20,000 claimer on turf. Although she’s stepping up in class following a $16,000 victory at Tampa Bay Downs, Vipera looked very good in that race. She was in and among horses while three wide for most of the trip, was in behind a wall of runners on the far turn, and had to alter course sharply to the rail in upper stretch. Undaunted, she came with a strong run to win comfortably.

I’ll also use VIVA ALLEGIANCE (#7), STARSHIP SHAWTY (#10), and SUMMERTIME MUSIC (#11).

Caveman
7, 10, 11

Ticketmaker
A – 7, 8
B – 11
C – 10

Race 10

This is a fascinating race featuring several underachievers. For me, it’s a spread as I don’t have a powerful opinion.

I AM NOW (#8) was stuck in behind horses turning for home Dec. 23 and had to alter course to the far outside in the stretch. That cost her as she was out-finished by a rail-skimming winner. I won’t let Todd and John knock me out of this leg. MARKET MAGIC (#3) gave a good account of herself in the first start off a long layoff for Bill Mott. She has yet to take a backward step on the Beyer scale, and further improvement is likely with that last one under her belt. ARTEMIS (#5) moves to the Chad Brown barn and makes her first start on grass.

Handicappers with deeper pockets certainly could include SILVERY STARLET (#11), a seven-figure yearling buy with a sparkling pedigree. A 5-year-old mare with only two starts, Silvery Starlet likely would be in the breeding shed if the connections felt she had no ability. But here she is, returning from a long layoff.

Caveman
3, 5, 8

Ticketmaker
A - 3, 5, 8

Race 11

I’m probably going to feel foolish when Brown’s firster wins at a short price, but I’ll stab with some others.

STRIKE EM DOWN (#7) raced a bit greenly in the stretch of his local debut but now removes blinkers and drops slightly in class.

MR MONEYPANTS (#10) adds blinkers after being bogged down in stretch traffic Dec. 20. He’ll also race in a claimer for the first time and goes third off the layoff for a sharp barn.

AMAZON KING (#9) wasn’t very good in his local debut, but he has some tactical speed and can move forward in his second try back.

Deeper tickets could include the first-time gelding MOVE THE CHAINS (#4) and the upset-minded STARSHIP ZEUS (#12).

Caveman
7, 9, 10

Ticketmaker
A - 7, 9, 10