King: Pick four play at Gulfstream for Sunday, Feb. 14

Keying around one single, Stonetastic in the featured Miami Shores Stakes, here is my strategy for Sunday’s late pick four at Gulfstream Park. Horses listed below are ranked either as ‘A’ or ‘B’ runners, based on their chances of winning, and then played in DRF’s Ticketmaker program.

Race 9

The quick LAYTHATPISTOLDOWN (9, is the fastest turf horse in this first first-level optional $25,000 claimer, having run Beyer Speed Figures in the 90s in each of his last two attempts on the surface. He is also a win machine, having compiled an 8-for-26 record on turf, and rates as an ‘A.’

I can’t feel comfortable singling him, however – as he changes barns off the claim after rather aggressive placement by his former connections last out. So I will back him up with a trio of ‘B’ runners in OKLAHOMA DEN (12), YES I’M LUCKY (2), and JOSE SEA VIEW (11). They are listed in order of preference, and all three should be good prices.

Race 10

CITY FLYER (5) has the best grass form in this turf maiden race for 3-year-olds, and is lone ‘A.’ That noted, his top Beyer Speed Figure is only a 67 – which is below par for the level. So if he doesn’t run faster and one of these jumps up with sudden improvement, he could prove vulnerable.

I use three ‘B’ horses as backups: second-time starters NEVER SO FEW (7) and UNCLE GUY (1), as well as VIVA LA KID (8), who has run decently in a pair of dirt races.

Race 11

The featured Miami Shores is up next, a race STONETASTIC (3) should win if she runs to her capability. She is very fast when at her best, and also dropping out of a pair of graded stakes.

She lays an egg every now and then, but having gone three-to-four deep in other legs, I’m going to take a stand with her.

Race 12

This $16,000 nonwinners-of-three claimers close out the card, and MARKET OUTLOOK (9), dropping from high-priced optional claiming races, appears to hold a significant class advantage. He’s an ‘A.’

LITTLE DISTORTED (10) and TINTO MESA (3) are the ones most likely to capitalize if Market Outlook doesn’t run to his potential. Little Distorted is a classy sort, although seemingly better on dirt than turf, while the Tinto Mesa is likely better than what he has shown in his last two races, which were both rained off the grass and moved to dirt.

The Tickets

Inserting the above-mentioned horses into Ticketmaker, for $20 an all ‘A’ ticket can be played for $1.50; any combination of three ‘A’ horses and ‘B’ for $1; and two ‘A’ horses and two ‘B’ runners for 50 cents.

:: See Byron King’s pick four play in DRF TicketMaker and bet it with DRF Bets