As I was looking over the racing entries for Saturday's Gulfstream Park card on Wednesday evening, I started to get confused because I could not find a certain race. I knew that the grade I - Florida Derby was scheduled to be contested this weekend, but nowhere on Saturday's Gulfstream entries could I find the race. Since I've been playing the races, this race was the standout feature of the Gulfstream Park season and although the race has changed dates when it was contested, it was always run on the Saturday card. But, this year the Gulfstream Park racing office threw us a "curve ball" and placed this year's event on Sunday. With the ever changing Florida thoroughbred racing schedule, this can be a confusing thing for both player and horseman.
The biggest racing day in south Florida has five stakes races on the card which is topped off by the major prep race for three year old colts that are pointing for the Kentucky Derby . Also on this card is a sprint race for the three year olds also named for the 1984 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner, the Swale Stakes contested at seven furlongs. Six horses are assembled here with one runner missing for a bigger date later on in the card. Flashpoint winner of the Hutcheson Stakes wire to wire, would have been the odds-on favorite here in this sprint. But the Rick Dutrow trainee decided to stretch out in the Florida Derby , a much tougher spot than here. This leaves the door wide open for the Todd Pletcher trainee; Travelin' Man (#6) who was the runner-up last out versus Flashpoint. For 2nd, I'm going with the "eased last race" angle and picking Black N' Beauty (#1) won had all kinds of trouble last time out after turning back from a route distance.
The 6th race - going six and a half furlongs, the Sir Shackleton Stakes has a neat field of familiar names entered. Layoffs and turnbacks rule this race with my top pick; Capt. Candyman Can (#8). After a 15 month layoff, he returned to his winning ways in a seven furlong race at Tampa Bay Downs , just getting up in time. I'm also choosing a old favorite for 2nd in Regal Ransom (#3) who returns to a sprint after facing graded stakes competition going route distances the past few years.
Turf runners race a flat mile in race #8 - the Emirates Airlines Appleton Handicap. In this wide open event, my top selection is the rail horse; Little Man (#1) winner of the Canadian Turf Handicap last out. For 2nd, I'll be using the turnback from the west coast and now under the training of Kiaran McLaughlin; Riviera Cocktail (#6). Older handicap runners are next up in the 9th race - the Skip Away Stakes. Last year's Belmont Stakes winner; Drosselmeyer (#1) gets the call here in his second start off the layoff. Nick Zito has an interesting runner I'm placing for 2nd in S.S. Stone who steps up in class and seeks his third straight victory.
Now we're up to the aforementioned, Florida Derby . Here eight runners are assembled; the speedy Flashpoint (#8), the Fountain of Youth winner and also speedy Soldat (#1) and To Honor and Serve (#2) making his second start off a layoff are just a few of the notable names here. These three runners I'll be using underneath my top two selections; Dialed In (#7) impressive winner of the Holy Bull Stakes and recent Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct; Stay Thirsty (#6). The winner of this race will punch his ticket to Louisville for the "first Saturday in May" and be the "top dog"coming from the Florida route for the Kentucky Derby.
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