Sunday 12/26/21 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Gulfstream Park Selections for December 26, 2021 – Horse Racing Picks

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By Kyle E in Horse Racing — Dec 26th, 2021 12:53am PST 4 Min. Read


Horse racing returns on Sunday after a brief pause for Christmas Day. Christmas is the only day that there isn’t any horse racing on the calendar. We’re back to the horse racing track on Sunday afternoon.
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The return brings stakes racing with it on Sunday. There are at least five racecourses with stakes races on this card. Santa Anita Park is the most notable, with three $300,000 graded events.
The most highly anticipated race on Sunday is the Runhappy Malibu Stakes (Gr. 1). Note that Fair Grounds has a small Kentucky Derby prep race with the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes.
Our first stop is at Gulfstream Park. Gulfstream has 11 races worth $552,000 in prize money. Head below for our free Gulfstream Park picks for December 26, 2021.
Taking Your Horse Race Betting to the Next Level
Race4

(1) It’s Not Easy
+350 (7/2)

(2) Khopilot
+450 (9/2)

(3) Bob Marco
+140 (7/5)

(4) Steal Sunshine
+1500 (15/1)

(5) Birdnote
+800 (8/1)

(6) Sensei Lawrence
+400 (4/1)

(7) Glory and Victory
+2000 (20/1)

Post Time: 1:26 p.m. EST
Distance:7 Furlongs
Purse:$43,000
Race 3 Gulfstream Park is a mile on the dirt for a $43,000 purse. It’s Not Easy and Bob Marco should be the top horses to watch in Race 3.
It’s Not Easy is winless in two attempts, going 4th in back-to-back events. He opened his career on November 18 with a decent go.
It’s Not Easy finished 4th in a $30,000 event on November 18. In his next try, It’s Not Easy went 4th for $31,500. There is work for It’s Not Easy to do on Sunday.
Todd Pletcher’s Bob Marco could be in a class of his own in this one. Bob Marco is making his debut on Sunday. It’s a much-anticipated debut for the $250,000 colt.
He’s been picking up solid work in the morning and appears ready to go. This looks like a good spot for a debut versus a weak field. I’m riding with Pletcher’s colt here.
The Bet
(3) BOB MARCO
+140
Place Bet Now!




Race 5

(1) Stunning Princess
+1200 (12/1)

(2) Mademoiselle Nova
+1200 (12/1)

(3) Breaker of Chains
+450 (9/2)

(4) Bipartisanship
+1000 (10/1)

(5) Inthewinnerscircle
+600 (6/1)

(6) Lady Speightspeare
+300 (3/1)

(7) Gladys
+800 (8/1)

(8) Dream About Me
+2000 (20/1)

(9) Tobys Heart
+250 (5/2)

Post Time: 1:54 p.m. EST
Distance: 1 1/16 Miles
Purse:$100,000
Race 5 is a $100,000 event covering 1 1/16 miles on the turf. Side with Lady Speightspear and Tobys Heart on your shortlist in this assignment.
Tobys Heart is 4 for 9 in her career. The filly has stakes experience, and has finished 1st, 5th, 2nd, 3rd, 1st, 4th in his previous six attempts.
Two races back, Tobys Heart scored in the $500,000 Nelson’s Green Brier Whiskey Music City Stakes by 2 ¾ lengths on September 12.
That was an impressive bid, though Tobys Heart couldn’t hold on October 29 in the $150,000 Rubicon Valley View Stakes (Gr. 3). She settled for 4th in a decent attempt in a graded class.
Lady Speightspear could be good to go on Sunday. She is a perfect 4 for 4 in her career and looking for more.
In her last outing, Lady Speightspear won her second graded race in only four career races. She defeated Our Secret Agent by 4 lengths in the $175,000 Bessarabian Stakes (Gr. 2) on November 13.
In the other graded win, she beat Alda by ¾ lengths in the $250,000 Natalma Stakes (Gr. 1). This assignment on Sunday looks like a good chance for her.
The Bet
(6) LADY SPEIGHTSPEARE
+300
Place Bet Now!




Race 10 – Tropical Park Derby

(1) Sigiloso
+2000 (20/1)

(2) Never Surprised
+160 (8/5)

(3) Safe Conduct
+800 (8/1)

(4) In Effect
+3000 (30/1)

(5) Yes this Time
+450 (9/2)

(6) Fighting Force
+2000 (20/1)

(7) Lamplighter Jack
+3000 (30/1)

(8) King of Dreams
+1200 (12/1)

(9) Grey Streak
+1000 (10/1)

(10) Mohs
+800 (8/1)

(11) Scarlett Sky
+600 (6/1)

(12) Hot Blooded
+2000 (20/1)

(13) American Prince
+1200 (12/1)

(14) Shady Mcgee
+2000 (20/1)

(15) Kygo
+1000 (10/1)

Post Time: 4:32 p.m. EST
Distance:1 1/16 Miles
Purse:$100,000
The $100,000 Tropical Park Derby covers 1 1/16 miles on the turf. Look at Yes This Time and Never Surprised as strong contenders.
Yes This Time was on a five-race winning streak from February 20 to July 3. This was strong work from Yes This Time, who most recently won in July by $150,000 Kent Stakes (Gr. 3).
However, Yes This Time has gone winless in three straight performances, with results of 8th, 2nd, 3rd in her last three outings.
He looked good in the $750,000 Big Ass Fans Dueling Grounds Derby, placing 2nd behind Accredit by 1 length.
In his next and most recent outing, Yes This Time showed 3rd in the $150,000 Bryan Station Stakes on October 30 at Keeneland. Expect another solid opportunity for Yes This Time.
Never Surprised should be the toughest that Yes This Time will encounter. He is a three-time winner, coming off a win on November 26 at Aqueduct.
That was a big run after placing 2nd in three straight graded assignments. He placed 2nd behind Public Sector by a neck in the $400,000 Hill Prince Stakes (Gr. 2) on October 23.
Then Never Surprised responded well for a 6 ¼ length win in the $150,000 Gio Ponti Stakes. That was much too easy. This should be more competitive, but Never Surprised likely prevails.
The Bet
(2) NEVER SURPRISED
+160

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Los Alamitos (Quarter Horse)

Los Alamitos (Quarter Horse) - Race 7	$1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta $1 Pick Four Superfecta (.10 cent minimum wager)
Maiden • 300 Yards • Dirt • Age 2 • CR: 74 • Purse: $8,000 • Post: 7:41P
QUARTER HORSE 300Y, FOR MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 124 LBS.

Contenders					Race Analysis
P#	Horse	Morn Line	Accept Odds		Race Type: Not Applicable (Quarter Horse). * KEY ANGLES * MASON JAR: Quarter horse has the highest last race Equibase Speed Rating. Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating.
2	MASON JAR	8/5	4/5

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P#	Horse (In Running Style Order)	Post	Morn Line	Running Style	Good Class	Good Speed	Early Figure	Finish Figure	Platinum Figure
2	MASON JAR	2	8/5	Slow	82	68	6.7	0.0	0.0
5	LA TALIA	5	10/1	Slow	0	0	9.4	0.0	0.0
6	CARTELL CHICK	6	4/1	Slow/Trouble-prone	0	0	0.0	0.0	0.0

Unknown Running Style: UP TO WIN (7/2) [Jockey: Lopez Henry Reynoso - Trainer: Glenn Jr James W], HEZ OUR LIL SECRET (7/2) [Jockey: Franco Cesar - Trainer: Figueroa Roman], FIVE BAR RUNNER (6/1) [Jockey: Zepeda Alberto - Trainer: Diaz Lindolfo].

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[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Tampa Bay Downs

Tampa Bay Downs - Race 9	Exacta / Trifecta ($.50 minimum) / Superfecta ($.10 minimum) / Super High 5
Maiden Special • 5 Furlongs • Turf • Age 2 • CR: 71 • Purse: $26,500 • Post: 4:17P
FOR MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 119 LBS. (PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO HORSES WHICH HAVE NOT STARTED FOR LESS THAN $25,000. THE SAME PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO HORSES WHICH HAVE STARTED FOR LESS THAN $25,000 AND SINCE THEN HAVE FINISHED 2ND OR 3RD FOR $25,000 OR MORE.)FOR TWO YEAR OLDS UNDER INTERNATIONAL MEDICATION PROTOCOL. HORSES ENTERED TO COMPETE SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FUROSEMIDE LESS THAN TWENTY-FOUR (24) HOURS PRIOR TO POST TIME FOR THE RACE.

Contenders					Race Analysis
P#	Horse	Morn Line	Accept Odds		Race Type: Dominant Front-runner. HAND GESTURE is the Dominant Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * HAND GESTURE: Horse had a bullet workout within the last seven days. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. JUST JEREMY: Horse ha s a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. SHINBORO: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating.
5	HAND GESTURE	3/1	4/1
4	SONGTELLER	5/1	6/1
6	JUST JEREMY	4/1	7/1
3	SHINBORO	6/1	9/1

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P#	Horse (In Running Style Order)	Post	Morn Line	Running Style	Good Class	Good Speed	Early Figure	Finish Figure	Platinum Figure
5	HAND GESTURE	5	3/1	Front-runner	78	63	98.0	60.5	58.5
6	JUST JEREMY	6	4/1	Front-runner	69	65	92.5	56.2	47.7
3	SHINBORO	3	6/1	Front-runner	68	55	84.4	52.1	46.1
4	SONGTELLER	4	5/1	Front-runner	76	69	83.5	60.1	53.1
8	WONDER WATER	8	10/1	Front-runner	65	47	0.0	0.0	0.0
1	RULING FRONT	1	20/1	Alternator/Front-runner	79	60	72.3	43.4	34.9

Unknown Running Style: IRISH CHALICE (5/1) [Jockey: De La Cruz Fernando - Trainer: Blair Jordan], BOLT FROM THE BLUE (12/1) [Jockey: Castanon Jesus Lopez - Trainer: Wilson Noel], FIREWATER TU (15/1) [Jockey: Spanabel Skyler - Trainer: Smith Robert G]

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[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Fair Grounds - Race #8 - Post: 3:33pm - Stakes - 8.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $100,000 Class Rating: 107 Tenacious S.

Rating:

#8 BIG DREAMING (ML=5/1)
#10 CHESS CHIEF (ML=10/1)
#5 SHARED SENSE (ML=5/2)
#7 LITTLE MENACE (ML=10/1)
#1 EBBEN (ML=12/1)


BIG DREAMING - I took a look at this colt's finishes. He's almost always on the board. This horse likes to win on different ovals. The switch in venue today may be a wake up call. You have to like that last race speed rating, 107, which is the top recent race rating of this group. Leading into this race, this thoroughbred has earned three Equibase speed figures that are equal to or higher than today's class rating. That indicates to me he should compete well in today's race. CHESS CHIEF - Multiple trips to the winner's circle over the surface right here at Fair Grounds. Maybe, another trip to the winner's circle in this field. Gets help from Stewart with the addition of Lasix. SHARED SENSE - Cox moves this horse here to Fair Grounds from Churchill Downs. Looking at the horse's past performance lines, he has shown the ability to win at multiple race tracks. Don't often see a beneficial ROI like +44. This jock/handler duo has done well together over the last 12 months. This thoroughbred has increased his speed ratings from a fig of 90 to 101 to 107 in succession. I always like to see a thoroughbred getting Lasix for the first time. Cox adds it on this one today. LITTLE MENACE - Really have to figure this beautiful animal is going to be close at the finish. EBBEN - When this rider and handler team up you have to take a look. Beschizza and Cano have been fabulous together. A horse coming back this quickly after a strong race is a good omen.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 MAJOR FED (ML=9/2), #3 TRIDENT HIT (ML=6/1),

MAJOR FED - Recorded a somewhat easily forgotten speed figure last time around the track in a $100,000 Optional Claiming race on November 21st. Doubtful to see an improved performance off of that fig. TRIDENT HIT - The fourth place finish in the last race was not the best.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Winston - SHARED SENSE - The TrackMaster Power Rating tells me that this thoroughbred looks good versus the rest of this field. I'm making a wager.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:	#8 BIG DREAMING to win at post-time odds of 6/1 or better
EXACTA WAGERS:	Box [8,10] Box [7,8] Box [1,8]
TRIFECTA WAGERS:	[5,8,10] with [1,5,7,8,10] with [1,5,7,8,10] Total Cost: $36
SUPERFECTA WAGERS:	[8,10] with [5,8,10] with [1,5,7,8,10] with [1,5,7,8,10] Total Cost: $24

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Hawthorne

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

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Race 6 - Claiming - 8.3f on the Dirt. Purse: $10000 Class Rating: 91

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 121 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE NOVEMBER 26 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
	# 2 HALF OF MANHATTAN 3/1
# 6 MEMORY BANK 9/2
# 3 JUSTENUFFTUFF 10/1

HALF OF MANHATTAN has a solid shot to take this race. Emigh has been on fire the last month, winning at a nifty 22 percent rate. Should be given a shot in this event if only for the formidable speed fig earned in the last race. His 85 average has this gelding with among the strongest speed figures here. MEMORY BANK - The quick return to the track points to a reliable effort this time out. This gelding has posted some nice finishes in his last couple of tries.

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[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Turfway Park - Race #7 - Post: 4:00pm - Optional Claiming - 8.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $66,000 Class Rating: 97

Rating:

#10 SO DARN HOT (ML=3/1)
#2 FIRST COURSE (ML=10/1)
#5 SANSA'S VOW (ML=10/1)


SO DARN HOT - Jock jumped on this filly's back for the first try on Dec 11th. Should be in touch with the horse even better this time. I always like to see a horse getting Lasix for the first time. Weaver adds it on this one today. FIRST COURSE - I'm counting on this horse to run a big race this time out. SANSA'S VOW - Carroll brings her back again. I recommend you stay with this strong filly. When this rider and conditioner team up you have to take a look. Landeros and Carroll have been great together.

Vulnerable Contenders: #6 STRAITOUTTAPOPCORN (ML=7/2), #3 COMPELLING SMILE (ML=7/2),

STRAITOUTTAPOPCORN - The speed rating last time out doesn't fit very well in this race when I look at the class rating of today's event. Mark this thoroughbred as a vulnerable contender. This mare didn't show me enough down the stretch run to warrant backing against stronger opponents. There may be a set back this time around, after the strong exertion in the last race. COMPELLING SMILE - This less than sharp equine didn't do much last time out of the box finishing fourth. Don't see any chance of improvement today.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:	Bet on #10 SO DARN HOT to win if we can get at least 3/1 odds
EXACTA WAGERS:	Box [2,5,10]
TRIFECTA WAGERS:	Box [2,5,10] Total Cost: $6
SUPERFECTA WAGERS:	[2,5,10] with [2,5,10] with [2,4,5,6,10] with [2,4,5,6,10] Total Cost: $36