King: Pick three play at Gulfstream for Monday, Jan. 18

I normally prefer playing the late pick four over the pick three at Gulfstream Park, but with eighth race, the first leg of the pick four, being a befuddling maiden contest, the late pick three is the wager of choice Monday.

Here are the horses I advise using, ranking horses as either ‘A’ or ‘B’ horses, depending on their chances and relative value. The ‘A’ horses are the most probable winners.

Race 9

ALMOST AN ANGEL (1) and STARSHIP JODI (6) look like the classiest entrants in this $6,250 claimer on dirt, but with both shifting from turf to dirt and not having much speed, it is difficult to feel confident using just the two of them. They go down as ‘A’ horses in DRF’s Ticketmaker program, but I will also back them up with a pair of ‘B’ horses in BAHIA DE ORO (3) and AMALUNA (7).

Race 10

MISS MATZOBALL (3) should benefit from a return to a turf sprint after fading in a route most recently and is the most likely winner of this five-furlong grass dash. She’s the lone ‘A.’

Two ‘B’ horses go on the tickets – AMARACHI (11) and INDIAN SPLENDOR (12). Amarachi can be forgiven for a poor recent effort in an off-the-grass race, while Indian Splendor’s virtues on turf are obvious, though a layoff dating back to Sept. 7 likely puts her at a fitness disadvantage.

Race 11

RAMBLE (9) is in sharp form and dropping in class, though a layoff dating back to Oct. 30 is a clear drawback. Still, she rates as an ‘A’ runner.

ROSE GRACIAS (3) and STORM SENSE (13) both merit backup play as ‘B’ runners. Both come off victories at Gulfstream this winter.

The Tickets

Using the horses outlined above, let’s go with a $3 Pick 3 using all ‘A’ horses; a $2 ticket using two ‘A’ horse and one ‘B’ horse; and a $1 ticket of one ‘A’ and two ‘B’ runners.