King: How I'd play Gulfstream on Saturday, Feb. 28

A poor inside draw for DAREDEVIL (1) in the Swale Stakes creates favorable wagering opportunities for horseplayers wanting to take a stand against him.

His jockey, Javier Castellano, faces a dilemma. Send him from the fence and risk outside pressure that could leave his mount fatigued in a comeback race, or take back off the speed and risk getting boxed in by rivals who would love to slam the door shut on the heavy favorite.

So, I’ll try an alternative play in X Y JET (7), who is favorably drawn on the far outside, where he can show speed without having to be urged by his rider. That should allow him to get a nice trip, either making the lead or playing the role of an outside pace presser.

Not that he is a perfect play – he’s not. He has settled for five runner-up finishes from eight starts, and when a horse has such a history, it makes you question his ability to win a battle in a race of this quality.

Still, he’s fast. He ran a 92 Beyer Speed Figure last out – the top number in the field from that perspective, and he has run figures of 88 or higher in three of his last four races.

His 5-1 morning line is likely too generous. Odds of around 4-1 seem appropriate, and a little lower if there is a scratch or two.

• Earlier on the card in race 6, I’ll try 6-1 shot DANGEROUS LAD (12), who comes off a third and a fourth at this class level despite troubled starts that have cost him early position.

Hopefully, he can break alertly, a key considering that he is drawn toward the outside, putting him at risk of a wide trip.

Post aside, this is a consistent horse with numbers that are competitive with those of the favorites.

:: GULFSTREAM PARK: Get PPs, watch Saturday’s card live

• Beyond the aforementioned value plays, WISECRACKER (10) looks like a good single for multirace exotics in which the seventh race is part of the sequence.

Second to Khozan in a fast maiden race first out, he is a logical candidate to improve in his second start, and he already owns a significant figure edge.