Race 4: Becca Takes Charge (#8)
Could play out as one of the primary speeds in a race lacking a confirmed front-runner.
Should appreciate the stretch-out in distance as a daughter of Will Take Charge from a versatile damside family.
DRF Formulator Fact: Over the past five years, Linda Rice is 10 for 25 (40 percent, $2.60 ROI) with maidens going from sprints to dirt routes in their second starts.
3-1 on ML

Fair Grounds | Race 12 | Post Time 6:02 p.m. (CT) Go to the TimeformUS PPs

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The late multi-race wagers Saturday at Gulfstream look pretty difficult, although the featured Royal Delta seems to set up fairly predictably: Blamed getting a free run, with Tequilita trying to reel her in. I’ll use just those two and will try to catch a price in the other legs of the late pick four. Here’s the play:

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Aqueduct | Race 7 | Post Time 4:08 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

Well our “key” worked, just not the way we expected. Fast Master went off a generous 9-to-2 and settled nicely but not as nicely as 41-to-1 shot homebred Lordhavemercy who led our Pick home to kick off all sorts of payoffs headed by a $600+ exacta. Such is life.

Race 3: Dirty Bird (#1)

Despite finishing last behind tougher company, the 75 TimeformUS Speed Figure that she earned in her last start is among the highest in the field.

She is one of the few fillies who has proven her affinity for this route distance, whereas others may prefer to go shorter.

DRF Formulator Fact: Over the past five years, Jeremiah Englehart is 32 for 57 (56 percent, $2.96 ROI) with horses dropping in claiming price by 50 percent and running back in less than 30 days on the dirt.

3-1 on ML

Fair Grounds and Laurel kick off Presidents Day weekend Saturday with stakes-packed cards. Fair Grounds’s main event is the Grade 2, $400,000 Risen Star Stakes, a Kentucky Derby points event. There are also five other undercard stakes, three of which are graded – the Grade 2, $200,000 Rachel Alexandra, and the Mineshaft and Fair Grounds handicaps, which are both Grade 3 races worth $150,000 each.

At Laurel, the Barbara Fritchie and General George Stakes, which are both Grade 3 events worth $250,000 each, are supported by three other $100,000 stakes races.

Daring Disguise

Trainer: Linda Rice

Last race: Feb. 8, 5th

Finish: 3rd by 7

Beyer: 61

NY-bred 3-year-old is from a strong female family and he ran deceptively well in his debut while chasing wide over a wet track that was kind to speed all day. Look for him to take a step forward in his next start for a trainer who excels with maidens after a race. 

Letmetakethiscall

Trainer: Rudy Rodriguez

MALIBU MAX 
Trainer: Mac Robertson 
Last Race: Feb. 18, 8th 
Finish: 2nd by seven lengths 
Beyer: 86

He appears to be sitting on a strong meet. He made his first start since September in an allowance that drew a trio of Grade 3 winners and rallied for second in the slop behind a dominant sort who popped a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 99. As for this one, four of his six career wins have come at Oaklawn.

EQUAL MEASURE

Trainer: Bob Hess Jr.

Last race: Feb. 7, race 4

Finish: Second by eight lengths

Beyer: 58

A maiden facing winners, first-time long on a “good” track she might not have preferred, this filly ran okay. Rail trip third, dropped back, late interest inside. Follow vs. maidens.

BASHFUL

Trainer: Richard Mandella

Last race: Feb. 7, race 6