Saturday, February 14

Gulfstream - Hurricane Bertie (race 10)

COMMENT: Merry Meadow had no trouble dominating here, making it three straight wins (took the Grade 3 Sugar Swirl here Dec. 13) and firmly establishing herself as the top distaff sprinter in Florida. Sent off as a heavy favorite, she dogged pacesetter More Than a Party early, had no trouble taking command from that rival turning for home, and then expanded her lead from there without really breaking a sweat. The Grade 2 Inside Information at seven furlongs here March 21 may be next.

Updated to reflect scratches Monday at 10:15 a.m.

The Monday card at Laurel includes three consecutive stakes in races 7-9, which are linked by a 50-cent pick three. A 50-cent pick four begins on race 6.

I favor the pick three sequence, but I'm going to try to get a pick four started, and if I catch the first leg, there really isn't any reason to come back with a pick three. Laurel also offers rolling daily doubles. I'm going play doubles in races 6-7 using the same horses I use in the pick four.

ARCADIA, Calif. – A pick three in the middle of the card is the suggested play Sunday at Santa Anita.

 Race 4

LUCKY J LANE (5) returned to turf and trounced California-bred allowance foes last out. If he runs two alike, he should handle the class hike to open company and win this first-level allowance. What is the only knock? It’s price. Lucky J Lane is the 5-2 favorite.

Races 1-3

Some small fields the first three races of the day may limit your options, but there are a couple runners later on the card who hold appeal not only for utilization for in-race wagers but also for the various multi-race wagers.

Race 4

LUCKY J LANE isn’t some shocking selection. After all, the gelding just won his last start Jan. 15 on this course at this trip in terrific fashion. The water is a bit deeper here, though, as he beat Cal-breds that day but here must deal with open foes.

50-cent pick four at Gulfstream Park

RACE 2: I will take a shot and lean heavily on LEVERAGED LOAN. You are either in his camp or that of dropdown CONVOLUTION. I will use that one only defensively. Other "C" plays include VALID CONCEPT and TIZ TIME IS NOW.

:: Build your pick four ticket with DRF TicketMaker | DRF TicketMaker (Mobile)

A's: 7

B's: NONE

Notwithstanding a short field in the featured Hurricane Bertie at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, the late pick four offers a series of wide-open races, creating the potential for a nice payoff.

Here’s a look at sequence, and a Ticketmaker play.

Race 9

This $20,000 nonwinners-of-three claimer appears closely matched, and horseplayers are advised to spread a bit to try to get past the first leg.

The late double at Santa Anita is a bit appealing to me, and I’ll take a shot at hitting it. The two races that make up the double are the Grade 2 Santa Maria and the Sweet Life Stakes.

Race 8

I’m looking at three potential price horses on Saturday afternoon’s card at Gulfstream.

Race 5

Some big, competitive fields make the day’s last pick three (races 7-9) attractive. You have options, and there appears to be plenty of value in each leg.

Race 7