King: How I'll play Gulfstream for Saturday, Feb. 3

With three stakes closing out the card at Gulfstream on Saturday, the late Pick 3 holds appeal, particularly with a contentious renewal of the Holy Bull as the final leg in the sequence. Here are my thoughts and my DRF TicketMaker wagering strategy.

Race 10

The first leg begins with the Forward Gal, a Grade 3 race at seven eighths on the main track. My top choice is three-time stakes winner Take Charge Paula (4), a recent acquisition by owner Peter Deutsch, who turns her over to new trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.

Considering this filly isn’t particularly flashy on figures, she is not a typical private buy – as most owners and trainers tend to gravitate toward horses that have run quickly and might yet be in the public eye. She has been brave and consistent – but hardly top class when analyzed on the clock.

More than anything, I like the seasoning she possesses and her ability to win a dogfight. She is the lone ‘A’ horse for me that goes into TicketMaker.

I’ll use three backups as ‘B’ runners, taking one-turn specialist Sultry (1), the unbeaten Heavenhasmynikki (3), and morning-line favorite Miss Mo Mentum (7).

Race 11

Although there are a number of promising runners in the 11th, the Dania Beach for 3-year-olds, generally the sound practice in turf races is to take the class on the grass. And there is no mistaking the proven class of Untamed Domain (6), the runner-up finisher from the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

He looks ready to kick off his 3-year-old campaign and should receive ample pace to aid his rally. He is a single and obviously an ‘A.’

Race 12

The Holy Bull closes out the day and seems to be wide open, suggesting spreading is the way to go. I’ll use three horses as ‘A’ runners, which listed in numerical order include Enticed (1), Audible (4), and Tiz Michief (7).

One backup ‘B’ goes on the tickets: Free Drop Billy (2), winner of last year’s Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland but a horse coming off a dull performance when ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

The tickets

Plugging the horses above into TicketMaker with a base wager of 50 cents and a budget of $16, an all-‘A’ ticket is emphasized three times for $1.50, combinations of two ‘A’ horses and a “B” get played for $1, and tickets of one ‘A’ with two ‘B’ runners are backed at the 50-cent minimum.