There are races that come along now and then in which a handicapper has to just briefly glance at the past performances to determine a win play. One horse leaps out, simply leaving you to work on the exotics.

Then there are others in which you change your mind several times. For me, one such race is the Hal’s Hope at Gulfstream Park on Saturday.

Race 6:

Mr. Buff (#4)
Seemed to go off form as the distances got longer.
His lone half-sibling was a confirmed sprinter, so he may prefer this turnback.
Was badly compromised by a four-wide trip against a gold rail last time.
6-1 on ML
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Race 8:

Gulfstream Park has a graded stakes triple-header Saturday consisting of the Grade 2, $200,000 Fort Lauderdale; the Grade 3, $150,000 Hal’s Hope; and the Grade 3, $150,000 Marshua’s River. The only other graded event on Saturday’s schedule is the feature at Santa Anita – the Grade 2, $200,000 La Canada Stakes.

Hal’s Hope Stakes

 Aqueduct | Race 2 | Post Time 12:50 p.m. (ET) | Go To The TimeformUS PPs 

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Jenda’s Agenda

Trainer: Larry Jones
Last race: Jan. 7, 9th
Finish:  1^st by 6 1/4
Beyer: 82

Sure, she was a blowout winner at a short price, but if she were stretched right out to a route and jumped to a stakes next time, she could still be some kind of price. Loved the way 3-year-old first-timer moved through the stretch. Think there’s more in the tank and that she’ll route.

 Turn to Include

Race 2:
No Texting (#5)
Ran better than it appears last time while facing a stronger field than he meets today.
Earned the highest last-out TimeformUS Speed Figure in the field.
Should benefit from a more aggressive ride under new pilot Jose Ortiz.
7-2 on ML

Each week, TimeformUS Chief Figure Maker Craig Milkowski takes a look back at the weekend’s graded stakes and releases the TimeformUS Speed Figures for these races.

Santa Anita

Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes

1/4         122

1/2         120

Fin          109

Top 3:    Unique Bella 112, It Tiz Well 100, Shane’s Girlfriend 104

Note:  Winner was well in hand while traveling wide throughout; Jerry Hollendorfer trained top two finishers

Jan. 7

Gulfstream

Dania Beach (race 4)

BORN TO BE WINNER
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: Jan. 6, 6th
Finish: 8^th by 9 3/4
Beyer: 50
This shipper from the Midwest deserves another shot after misfiring in an off-turf sprint. Chased a hot pace and backed up. Eligible to rebound when she returns to turf vs. similar.
 
PRINCESS LEIA
Trainer: Rafael Becerra
Last race: Jan. 7, 1st
Finish: 1^st by 3

Race 4:

Little Schmo (#3)

Broke about a length slowly last time and sustained a wide trip against a golden rail.

Drops in class to face an easier field.

The TimeformUS Pace Projector predicts he’ll be on the lead in a situation favoring the frontrunners.

3-1 on ML

Race 6:

Wilburnmoney (#6)

Was shuffled back after a poor start in the Key Cents Stakes, winding up in last place early.