McGee: How I'll play Gulfstream on Sunday, Feb. 22
Race 1
DR. NEFARIO (1) can’t possibly be as bad as his first two starts, can he? His latest at Gulfstream might be particularly misrepresentative, as he was far too eager in the early going. Now he drops in for a first tag for the Silver Max connections and draws favorably on the hedge. At 12-1 on the morning line, he’s worth trying by tying him up with the two logicals, RUN SAICHI (6) and LET’S WRAP IT UP (10).
Race 2
LAGRATS (8) goes turf-to-dirt for David Fawkes and figures to get an ideal stalk-and-see trip from his preferred outer post. All his experience since his last dirt attempt in late October should help toward this. Will be using as a key in the horizontals.
Race 4
I’ve found that the Eddie Kenneally stable (like everyone else) has the occasional fail with an obvious favorite like VALIANT KNIGHT (6), but we’ll fall for it nonetheless. Will use first and second in verticals with 1, 4, 5, 8.
Race 5
Todd Pletcher also gets 2-5 shots beat with regularity, which makes KHOZAN (3) no cinch. Still, this half-brother to Royal Delta should go through this first-level condition before taking on the heavy-heads. Will use a saver trifecta of 3-5-6 while cold-punching a 3-6-5.
Race 6
CHICA CHAPINA (9) looks very interesting at 8-1 on the morning line; can revert to her two-back effort after sitting off a hot pace and using a little more follow-through.
Race 7
FAST MOON (8) was very seriously touted in an incredibly deep Jan. 25 maiden special weight race and had no real excuses but stands to benefit greatly from the experience. Will key first and second in the verticals with 4, 5, 6.
Race 8
This is a real cluster, but with a gun to the head, I’d take a pass on the Chad Brown third-timer, BISHOP’S POND (6), while using shotgun variations of 3, 4, 5, 9, 12.
Race 9
ACHNAHA (10) intrigues in her first stateside start for George Weaver. Will use with the two logicals, SILVERY STARLET (3), who needed her latest, and MARKET MAGIC (6).
Race 10
Going right back to George Weaver when hoping that GHAREEB (7) doesn’t bounce off that monster Jan. 19 score and that the obvious favorite, TOP BILLING (2), will be needing this toward longer-distance races.
Race 11
IRISH STRAIT (7) stands to benefit from his first route try; worth a long look at 6-1 on the morning line.
Race 12
In a wide-open finale, we could probably do worse than CONCERT STAGE (10) at 12-1 on the morning line. Will primarily rely on this 8-year-old when either trying to “get out” or “greed up.”