McGee: Gulfstream pick four play for Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018

I’ll bring a couple of resolute opinions into the last four races (8-11), all graded stakes, on a terrific Saturday card at Gulfstream. Here’s the layout:

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Race 8: Just trying to get alive by using the three inside fillies – Electric Forest (1), Tweeting (2), and Tapa Tapa Tapa (3) – and hoping Tapa returns to her best form (look at those Tampa works!) at the best price of the trio.

Race 9: There’ll be quite a bit of pace in this turf mile - won’t there? - with Conquest Hardcandy (3) being fresh and Cherry Lodge (7) stretching out. Something capable of rallying from off the pace looks like a solid angle, so I’ll use Kylla Instinct (2), La Moneda (6), Capla Temptress (8), and Pas de Soucis (12).

Race 10: I’m surprised that Awestruck (2) is listed as the favorite on the track’s morning line. Yes, she finished ahead of Dream Pauline (7) on BC weekend at Churchill Downs, but Dream Pauline had an excuse that day and now comes a major threat as the outside speed. And then there’s Gulf-loving Stormy Embrace (4), who was overmatched in the BC but fits extremely well here.

Race 11: This phenomenal renewal of the Grade 2 Ft. Lauderdale could get its winner from almost anywhere, but I’ve got it narrowed down to any of four whose running style lends itself to an off-pace rally with a clean trip: Projected (3), Qurbaan (4), Hi Happy (5), and the Canadian sleeper, Mr Havercamp (9).

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Here’s the straight-A ticket:

R8: 1, 2, 3

R9: 2, 6, 8, 12

R10: 4, 7

R11: 3, 4, 5, 9

50-cent ticket = $48