Saturday 5/9/26 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2026, 08:27 AM

Jeremy Plonk: Aqueduct Hit & Split Pick 5 Analysis | Sat. 5/9

May 7, 2026 | By Jeremy Plonk

It’s a Belmont Stakes preview day of sorts Saturday at Aqueduct, four weeks out from the big card at Saratoga. The 1/ST BET and Xpressbet Late Pick 5 Hit & Split promotion includes 3 stakes races as horseplayers on those platforms will be playing for an additional 1 million 1/ST Rewards Points.

Race 7: Grade 2 Ruffian Stakes

#3 Eunomia ran a sharp race at Keeneland in the Doubledogdare, winning the pace battle but losing the war late to a rail-skimming Brad Cox trainee when that barn was rolling. Should love this 1-turn trip and continue her ascent since arriving in Saffie Joseph Jr.’s barn. Expect her to be forward throughout vs. Parx sprinter Irish Maxima. Class test for #5 Inefficiency after 2 easy wins vs. lesser at this trip. Can’t dismiss Prat-Brown charge.

Race 8: Take the A Train Stakes

The “LTB” handicapping angle has long been part of my process, particularly in turf sprints. That’s a horse exiting a Layoff, Turning back in distance while working Bullets in the morning. Those types tend to fire fresh and fitness isn’t at a premium given the shorter trips. #7 Just Philtored fits that bill for one of the best turf-sprint trainers in the country, Mike Trombetta. Plus, this filly is 2-for-2 in races that she’s entered coming in off just workouts (debut, layoff). #6 Cadenza has been smashed in the betting each time, winning her only turf start and has a fantastic pedigree to be a turf sprinter. Back to what she likely does best for Brad Cox. I’m not willing to increase the ticket cost by one-third to include #2 Pillar of Beauty but would consider in the event of a scratch. (If moved to dirt, #7 & #3 the plays.)

Race 9: Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes

The promising #3 Growth Equity has to answer the 2-turn question in this traditional Belmont Stakes prep, improving in each start as the distances have increased around 1 turn. The Chad Brown trainee is by Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, obviously good for distance, but the damside of the pedigree is purely sprint. His BRIS late pace figures match up similar to the best in this race, but there’s no guarantee they translate the same around 2 bends. #5 Talk to Me Jimmy won the Withers over this trip in a “where’d that come from?” performance in February. He’s another with a sprint damside that makes you question him at this kind of distance – and if the Withers score was a random result. #1 Trendsetter sprinted 6 times before being given a route bid and has spent only half his career on dirt. But it seems his 3-for-4 dirt mark would indicate he’s finally doing what he should be after a 32-1 upset in Keeneland’s Lexington.

Race 10: allowance

Trainer Chad Brown should have this first-level turf allowance circled with #3 Arkhipov and #1 Right to Vote. The former showed promise in New York last summer when second behind the barn’s highly regarded, eventual Grade 2 winner Asbury Park. He disappointed at Keeneland last out, but the Brown brigade all underperformed during that meet. Expect a wakeup back in New York. Right to Vote hasn’t started since November 2024, but broke his maiden off a 10-month break and has shown an ability to ramp up off workouts alone. There appears to be enough dirt speed in here to set the table for the finishers, so I’ll keep next-best #7 Golden Channel off my ticket but could be considered if some of that speed were to withdraw from the race. (If moved to dirt #9 becomes a single.)

Race 11: maiden

#8 Ice House goes for a good turf sprint barn in George Weaver and may be fastest early if he takes to turf. Like More Than Ready on the damside of the pedigree as a grass influence. #1 High Leverage must show speed from the rail while trimming distance, but knocked on the door vs. similar in his state-bred unveiling April 18. Bids in open company at Gulfstream weren’t off-putting to his overall ledger vs. this bunch. Very little obvious turf sprint early speed in the lineup. #2 Muisc in Motion looks like turf sprints are what he’ll do best and the Linda Rice-Flavien Prat combo wins 35% together while this layoff returnee adds Lasix. Something went obviously wrong with #5 Super Dave in his Saratoga debut last summer; treat this Wesley Ward trainee like a first-time starter. (Will include same horses if race moves to dirt.)

The Ticket

3,5 with 7,6 with 3,5,1 with 3,1 with 8,1,2,5 = $48 for 50 cents

Singling any of the 2-deep legs reduces ticket cost to $24 (preference to Race 7 in that regard).

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2026, 08:28 AM

Race of the Week: Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies at GP / Saturday

May 6, 2026 | By Jeremy Plonk

The Lead:
The fourth edition of the Royal Palm Juvenile and Juvenile Fillies returns Saturday at Gulfstream Park in Races 6 and 8. The 2-year-old turf sprints provide automatic berths to prestigious international showcases at Royal Ascot in June. Crimson Advocate parlayed a win here in 2023 to a Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes score in England. The 2024 series produced eventual Windsor Castle Stakes runner-up Gabaldon. Last year, Sandal’s Song and Lennilu shipped overseas for credible third-placings in the Group 2 Norfolk and Group 2 Queen Mary, respectively.

With a likely heavy favorite in the Juvenile (Race 6, Skara Brae), I'll focus my efforts on the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies (Race 8).

Field Depth:
Difficult to evaluate things like schedule strength with 5 rookies and 4 experienced fillies. Four of these sold for six figures-plus: JOKER'S CHIC, EASY LIFE, PROS AND CONS and POT'S RIGHT.

Pace:
Impossible to judge the pace here with so many first-time starters and remaining surface-changers.

Our Eyes:
Here are my horse-by-horse notes.

1-JOKER’S CHIC: Disappointed as 6-5 favorite at Keeneland when pressing and tiring to finish fourth in her dirt debut. Hong Kong riding superstar Joao “The Magic Man” Moreira is named to ride. Trainer Wesley Ward has gone 4: 0-1-1 in the Royal Palm series at odds of 4-5, 4-5, 8-5 and 5-2.

2-EASY LIFE: Trainer George Weaver has dominated the Royal Palm series with 3 winners from 8 starters. Those winners have paid $8, $17 and $23 – scoring twice in 2023 and once a season ago. Easy Life is a first-time starter by Life Is Good and cost $300,000 at the Ocala sale in March. Her first-crop sire is off to a blazing start with 3 wins from his first 4 starters, including Kentucky Juvenile Stakes winner Waggley last week at Churchill Downs.

3-DEE SNOOK: Irish-bred export makes her career debut. Sioux Nation filly hails from a sire who was a Group 1-winning turf sprinter as a juvenile in 2017. This will be trainer Doug O’Neill’s first starter in the Royal Palm series.

4-LIBERTY RINGS: Third in April 19 debut dirt sprint locally at Gulfstream. Florida-bred by Awesome Slew, whose offspring win just 5.6% on the local turf. Trainer Nicholas Palmer makes his first Royal Palm series bid. He would be the first locally prepped runner to win a Royal Palm race.

5-PROS AND CONS: $375,000 yearling purchase is by 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify and makes her first start. Her dam is full-sister to 2017 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Caledonia Road. The Mark Casse barn is 9: 1-1-4 in the Royal Palm series, getting a $9.80 score with Bullet in 2024. Long series of 7 local works for this unveiling but didn’t show much gate speed at 1st.tv in May 1 dirt drill.

6-MO TOWN FOXY BROWN: Home-bred for Johan and Diane Fradin has trained on dirt at Palm Meadows prior to this career debut – but note sire Mo Town gets a strong 15% winners on the Gulfstream turf from more than 90 starters. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has a 2024 runner-up among 2 starters in the Royal Palm series.

7-POT’S RIGHT: Horses with Keeneland experience have won 2 of the 6 Royal Palm series races (Crimson Advocate 2023, Lennilu 2025). Strong finish in Lexington to win a 4-1/2 furlong dirt dash in a non-traditional, off-the-pace manner. Sire Bolt d’Oro a decent 11% win rate with more than 125 offspring on the GP turf, including multiple stakes winner Major Dude. This will be the Royal Palm series debut for trainer Philip Antonacci, who gets jockey Luis Saez to visit from Kentucky.

8-SASS SASS: Second of 2 Mark Casse rookies here as he looks for a Royal Palm series follow-up to 2024 winner Bullet. Sass Sass outworked barnmate Pros and Cons in a team drill from the gate May 1 at 1st.tv. Gary Barber home-bred by Preakness winner War of Will, who became a Grade 1-winning turf miler later in his career. Casse has hit 10% on the GP lawn with nearly 70 starts by War of Will offspring. Dam Twelfth Moon’s first foal; note she won her career debut and 4 of 7 overall.

9-BOOTS: April 16 debut winner on dirt at Gulfstream was a well-backed 5-2 price at her unveiling. Home-bred for Arindel Farm is by Brethren, whose Royal Palm series entrants in 2023 both finished off the board. Trainer Carlos David makes his second Royal Palm series appearance, finishing out of the money in his 2023 debut.

Most Likely Exotics Contender:
EASY LIFE is in the right hands for success in this race and her sire is off to a blazing start at stud.

Best Longshot Contender:
MO TOWN FOXY BROWN likely will be overlooked some, but is bred to fare well on this turf course and Joseph trainees are never out of the local discussion.

Sending it in ($100 bankroll):
$50 win EASY LIFE. $25 exacta box EASY LIFE and POT'S RIGHT ($50).

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-09-2026, 06:30 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Sunray Park
PURCHASE

Sunray Park - Race 5	$1 Exacta / 50 Cent Trifecta / 10 Cent Superfecta
Claiming $7,500 • 4 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 79 • Purse: $21,060 • Post: 2:55P
FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE IN 2026 OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 121 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $7,500 (NEW MEXICO BREDS PREFERRED.).

Contenders				Race Analysis
P#	Horse	Morn Line	Accept Odds	Race Type: Dominant Front-runner. LONE MOUNTAIN GIRL is the Dominant Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * LONE MOUNTAIN GIRL: Today is a sprint, horse is a Front-runner with an inside post position. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 3 0 days. DANNYBOB: Horse racing off a layoff of 90+ days and horse has run well in the past in its first and/or second starts after a long layoff. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. MARKSALOT: Tod ay is a sprint and the horse is carrying at least 120 lbs.
3	LONE MOUNTAIN GIRL	9/2	3/1
5	DANNYBOB	12/1	7/1
6	MARKSALOT	7/2	8/1

P#	Horse (In Running Style Order)	Post	Morn Line	Running Style	Good Class	Good Speed	Early Figure	Finish Figure	Platinum Figure
3	LONE MOUNTAIN GIRL	3	9/2	Front-runner	80	80	86.0	72.4	62.4
6	MARKSALOT	6	7/2	Front-runner	69	69	84.0	57.8	46.3
5	DANNYBOB	5	12/1	Front-runner	80	74	70.0	64.8	52.8
4	SILVER ABSTRACT	4	15/1	Stalker	66	67	79.3	62.0	47.5
1	MAYA D	1	20/1	Stalker	74	60	56.0	57.6	42.1
8	SHELL GAME	8	3/1	Stalker	81	72	55.4	64.0	57.5
9	LA VIKINA	9	6/1	Stalker	84	77	45.3	70.0	63.0
7	PRETTYWITTYANDWISE	7	8/1	Alternator/Stalker	81	69	63.4	66.8	60.8
2	PRETTY PEPPY	2	10/1	Alternator/Non-contender	78	69	51.4	50.8	37.3
10	FORTY FIVE	10	8/1	Alternator/Non-contender	72	70	43.3	59.4	47.9

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-09-2026, 06:31 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Coast To Coast
PURCHASE

Coast To Coast - Race 1	Race 9 from Gulfstream Park Leg A of the Coast to Coast Pick 5
Claiming $10,000 • 1 1/16 Miles • All-Weather • Ages 4 and up • CR: 90 • Purse: $29,000 • Post: 5:05P
GP - R9 - RACE 9 FROM GULFSTREAM PARK. FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE FEBRUARY 9 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $10,000.

Contenders				Race Analysis
P#	Horse	Morn Line	Accept Odds	Race Type: Lone Front-runner. LIGHT FURY is the Lone Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * LIGHT FURY: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. CORTA FUEGO: Horse has run a G ood Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. SPACE LAUNCH: Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Horse has the highest average Equibase Class Rating at the dista nce/surface. HONESTO: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
5	LIGHT FURY	7/5	4/1
3	CORTA FUEGO	9/2	6/1
7	SPACE LAUNCH	3/1	7/1
4	HONESTO	8/1	9/1

P#	Horse (In Running Style Order)	Post	Morn Line	Running Style	Good Class	Good Speed	Early Figure	Finish Figure	Platinum Figure
5	LIGHT FURY	5	7/5	Front-runner	91	90	97.2	74.0	67.0
8	STEELIN BASES	8	10/1	Stalker	85	86	81.7	75.5	64.5
3	CORTA FUEGO	3	9/2	Alternator/Stalker	92	86	76.2	85.4	79.4
1	HOTTAKEJAKE	1	10/1	Alternator/Stalker	81	80	75.8	76.8	64.8
7	SPACE LAUNCH	7	3/1	Alternator/Stalker	94	89	57.2	79.0	70.5
4	HONESTO	4	8/1	Trailer	89	85	79.2	83.6	74.1
6	MAKTUB	6	15/1	Trailer	81	75	67.0	79.0	69.5
2	GOODIE GOOMER	2	12/1	Alternator/Non-contender	84	81	80.8	80.8	74.3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-09-2026, 06:31 AM

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Equibase Special

PURCHASE
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 2 - Optional Claiming - 9.0f on the Turf. Purse: $67000 Class Rating: 100

SA - R7 - FOR CALIFORNIA BRED OR CALIFORNIA SIRED THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON $21,000 ONCE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING OR STARTER OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES OR CLAIMING PRICE $20,000. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 126 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING OR STARTER AT A MILE OR OVER ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $20,000 (NON-STARTERS FOR

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
	# 1 JIMMY BLUE JEANS 5/2
# 2 DRUIDIC 8/1
# 7 CREATIVE OM 10/1

I've got to go with JIMMY BLUE JEANS. Could provide positive profits based on decent recent speed figures with an average of 96. Well above average win rate at this distance/surface. With a decent 98 Equibase Speed Figure last time out, will surely be a factor in this race. DRUIDIC - Vaunts formidable Equibase speed figs on average overall when matched with the rest of this field. Garnered a respectable Equibase speed fig last time out. CREATIVE OM - Will almost certainly go to the lead and should never look back. With a decent 95 Equibase Speed Figure last time out, will clearly be a factor in this contest.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-09-2026, 06:31 AM

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Percy Warner

PURCHASE
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 2 - Maiden Special Weight - 18.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $60000 Class Rating: 84

LOUIS BROWN MCMILLAN MEMORIAL S. - TO BE RUN OVER NATIONAL FENCES FOR MAIDENS, FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. FOUR-YEAR-OLDS, 148 LBS.; OLDER, 156 LBS.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
	# 5 COPPER MISSILE 15/1
# 9 FAMOUS FIGURE (IRE) 6/1
# 4 REALLY GOOD 10/1

I think COPPER MISSILE is a competitive selection particularly if the morning line of 15/1 holds. Vaunts formidable Equibase Speed Figures on average overall when put alongside the rest of this field. Could beat this group of animals given the 88 speed figure put up in his last outing. This gelding has some longshot handicapping angles I like to bet on. FAMOUS FIGURE (IRE) - Make a note that this one runs on Lasix today.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-09-2026, 06:32 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

PURCHASE

Churchill Downs - Race #2 - Post: 1:15pm - Maiden Claiming - 7.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $35,000 Class Rating: 74

Rating:

#3 CRYSTAL FROST (ML=8/1)
#6 CHIQUITA'S WAY (ML=30/1)

CRYSTAL FROST - Gutierrez is up for another race today after riding on board this animal for the first try on Apr 19th and ought to know the ropes to this one a little better. This jockey and conditioner have a positive ROI when they are put together. CHIQUITA'S WAY - Generally, I don't like to see a filly run against the boys like she did April 30th. Good to see she's back with her own sex today. The fact that this filly is entered right back into a race so quickly means she's fit and ready.

Vulnerable Contenders: #5 CLICK (ML=8/5), #4 SWEETBITTERS (ML=7/2), #8 FROSTY FOR EVER (ML=4/1),

CLICK - This filly finished out of the money on Mar 14th and wasn't close to winning last out either. Today's race is 7 furlongs. Hasn't finished in the money in a short distance clash in the last 60 days. Not the greatest of signals. SWEETBITTERS - This filly hasn't had any recent favorable outcomes in sprint affairs. Tough to bet on her in this race. This steed didn't go to the lead and didn't close down the stretch last time she ran. FROSTY FOR EVER - This filly registered a speed figure in her last race which probably isn't good enough in today's race.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:	Put your money on #3 CRYSTAL FROST on the nose if you can get odds of 7/5 or more
EXACTA WAGERS:	Box [3,6]
TRIFECTA WAGERS:	Pass
SUPERFECTA WAGERS:	Pass
SUPER HI-5 WAGERS:	Skip

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-09-2026, 06:32 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

PURCHASE

Gulfstream Park - Race #4 - Post: 2:26pm - Maiden Special - 5.0 furlongs on the Turf. Purse: $65,000 Class Rating: 70

Rating:

#5 LUCKY WIN COCO (ML=8/1)
#2 LONDON (ML=3/1)

LUCKY WIN COCO - This horse has recorded the best recent turf speed rating at the dist/surf. As the only speedball in the race, I expect this filly to be long gone. This horse may have too much power on the turf for the rest of the field. At the top of the lane, she could put these away. This filly is in good form, having run a strong race on April 26th, finishing second. LONDON - The jock/handler twosome of Herrera and Orseno has a strong ROI together. This horse's last race was at Gulfstream Park in a race with a class figure of 83. Dropping considerably in class rating today puts her in a solid position in this race. Herrera rode this horse for the first time in the last race and comes right back today. This filly is in fine form, having run a good race on April 16th, finishing third. This horse brings in a lot of cash per start. Tops in this event.

Vulnerable Contenders: #1 KNOWS EVERYTHING (ML=5/2), #4 EXTRIMISTA (ML=7/2), #6 ESCARGOT (ML=4/1),

KNOWS EVERYTHING - 5/2 is too short of a price to take on this horse. EXTRIMISTA - Trying to beat this horse this time out at the value of 7/2. ESCARGOT - This vulnerable equine will most likely be near the back of the pack as this field crosses the finish line.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:	#5 LUCKY WIN COCO is the play if we get odds of 9/5 or better
EXACTA WAGERS:	Box [2,5]
TRIFECTA WAGERS:	5 with 2 with [1,4,6] Total Cost: $3
SUPERFECTA WAGERS:	None

Saturday 5/9/26 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Saturday 5/9/26 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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