The Claiming Crown always offers full fields and very competitive racing, with horses shipping in from many different venues. This usually results in several races with generous payoffs. It’s a handicapping puzzle at its best and one I look forward tackling each year. These are a few of The Wizard’s thoughts. RACE 2: Glass Slipper (one mile) MENDED is a Northern California invader who has been one of the better claims at any racing venue in 2017. High-percentage trainer John Martin claimed her for $12,500 last January. Mended has won all nine of her races for Martin, several in dominant fashion. Six have been over a synthetic surface, one on turf, and two on dirt. Both her dirt victories have been against tougher rivals, including her July 27 win at Del Mar. Loves the front end and the one mile. Mended will have to contend with pressure at several points in this one-turn race, but she's proven to relish a heated battle. Totes 124 pounds, but she has won with 125 pounds on several occasions. Ricardo Gonzalez has been aboard in eight of her wins, and he rides today.   RACE 5: Distaff Dash (five furlongs, turf) These five-furlong turf sprints are run very fast from start to finish. A clean trip is imperative for success, especially in a field of 13 horses like this one. BLUE BAHIA was pointed to this stakes off a layoff by high-percentage trainer Jason Servis. The 4-year old has won two of her last three starts off the re-claim, with both wins coming at today's distance. She is reunited with the barn's main go-to jockey Paco Lopez, who has been aboard in five of her seven wins. She must overcome her tough rail draw, but she has a versatile running style and Lopez has had great success on her. :: Get extended Cyber Monday discounts on The Wizard's full-card selections and betting window combo! RACE 7:  Canterbury (five furlongs, turf) The only question PAY ANY PRICE must answer is if he can retain the form he’s shown in his six starts this year while returning off a five-month layoff. He has run well fresh, and in seven starts since being claimed by trainer Ralph Ziadie, Pay Any Price has won four races, including two stakes. The fractions he set and his final times have been faster than most of these have ever run. His record over this turf course is outstanding: seven wins in nine starts, all at today's  distance. He is the deserving favorite and should be used as a key in trifectas. RACE 8:  Rapid Transit (seven furlongs) SHAFT OF LIGHT, from the always-dangerous Jorge Navarro barn, gave a career-best performance last year in this same Claiming Crown race. Navarro ran him at Parx prior to this race in 2016, and he finished fifth. He returned 84 days later and drew off to a 6 ¾-length front-running victory in the Claiming Crown. This year, Shaft of Light last raced Oct. 16 at Parx, finishing fifth after setting quick fractions. He was eased in the stretch with blood spewing out from a cut in the mouth. Since returning to south Florida, Shaft of Light shows three straight five-furlong bullet workouts. He's won 4 of 8 starts at Gulfstream, and is 4 for 7 at seven furlongs. Blinkers are back on after he raced without them in his last three starts, all defeats, twice against much tougher fields at Saratoga. Shaft of Light has obviously been pointed to this race. Navarro is one of the best around getting the job done when he targets a race like this one. There is some other speed in here, but if Shaft of Light brings his “A” game, he will be awfully tough to overhaul in the stretch.  Saturday’s Gulfstream Park selections and wagering strategies for all 11 races, including three Crystal Ball Best Bets, are now available at: DRF.com/wizard Follow me on Twitter at The Wizard@WizardPicks