King: Gulfstream Park pick four for Saturday, Jan. 7

A series of contentious races offers value in the late pick four at Gulfstream on Saturday. So, let’s take a look at the sequence and my suggested TicketMaker play.

Race 8

A maiden race for inexperienced 3-year-ols on the turf, this is a tricky race. The most likely winner is Bogulator (3), who has an experience edge and has three times run second in four starts. But he is far from a standout. Other “A” runners I’m using in the TicketMaker profile include the second-time starter Taperge (2) and the debuting Inflexibility (5) – both of whom race for successful grass trainer Chad Brown.

I will throw in first-timer Interrogation (5) as a secondary “B” play, having a grass pedigree and promising works at Payson Park for Christophe Clement.

Race 9, the Ginger Brew

Staying on the turf, stakes horses follow in the ninth, where my top three selections are Juenesse Doree (12), Party Boat (5), and Ballavais (7). All three get used as “A” runners. Spreading a little, I will toss Fields of Song (6) into the mix as a backup “B” runner, having shown promising form overseas and with her having move-up potential with first-time Lasix.

Race 10, the Mucho Macho Man

A one-mile dirt race for newly turned 3-year-olds, this seems like a closely matched group. Preference goes to Sonic Mule (8), followed by Hemsworth (11) and Cavil (6). They are the three “A” runners, with the more seasoned Even Thunder (4) a “B” runner who offers a price.

Race 11

A maiden claimer on the grass, the nightcap is a puzzling race in which first-after-the-claim runner Shezaprado (1) rates on top for trainer Mike Maker, and class-dropping Authentic Kitten (2) also merits respect, getting cut in half from maiden $50,000 to maiden $25,000 for her second start. They are both “A” horses.

Don't Talk Back (8) and Royal Chapeau (4) are“B” runners, having run respectably at times on the grass.

The TicketMaker play

Plugging the horses mentioned above into TicketMaker, for $225, a bet can be made using all “A” runners for $1.50, three “A” runners with one “B” for $1, and two “A” horses and two “B” runners for $0.50.