Saturday 2/4/23 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Racing Dudes Laurel Park Picks

Race Pick Odds Trainer Jockey
1 #5 If Then 2-1 H A Smith A Cruz
2 #5 Wired In 2-1 M E Eppler J Barbosa
3 #1 Pudge Boy Palace 4-1 H I McMahon A Cruz
4 #1 R Tenderoni 5-2 J Ness J Rodriguez
5 #5 Clubman 5-2 J Ness J Rodriguez
6 #7 Gulfstream Way 5-2 B H Cox J Toledo
7 #7 John the Bear 3-1 C A Gonzalez J Toledo
8 #5 Response Time 2-1 H A Smith J Barbosa
9 #7 Waverley 9-2 W R Bailes D Araujo

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Racing Dudes Los Alamitos Picks

Race Pick Odds Trainer Jockey
1 #7 Nashira's Fire 7-2 R Saldana C Figueroa
2 #7 Queen Verrazano 2-1 R L Zuazo C Ortega
3 #2 Mount Olympic 9-5 M F Jones C Franco
4 #4 Justamitch 2-1 S Naranjo F Orduna-Rojas
5 #3 Bob's Sniper 9-5 M G Pineda F Orduna-Rojas
6 #1 Big Creek 7-5 A Farias E Garcia
7 #6 Winhappy 3-1 J Nunez C Figueroa
8 #8 Run Dapisaurus Run 8-5 F L Gonzalez H R Lopez
9 #5 Navaja 4-1 F L Gonzalez H R Lopez
10 #5 Cattail Cove 4-5 J G Aleman J R Ayala

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Racing Dudes Louisiana Downs Picks

Race Pick Odds Trainer Jockey
1 #2 Patterns of Insanity 3-1 A S Martinez J M Torres
2 #2 Avasippingoncoronas 6-1 J Derozin J Journet
3 #3 Ddeez Kiss My Dash 8-1 A Francis, Jr. R Hernandez
4 #3 My Corona Blues 2-1 D Keith J R Ramirez
5 #5 Louisiana Sass 3-1 F Valdez R Ramirez, Jr.
6 #6 Rdd Empire Builder 8-5 R S Aguilar A Alvarez
7 #5 Jess Drive Da Train 5-1 O Orozco G Lucio, Jr.

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Racing Dudes Sam Houston Picks

Race Pick Odds Trainer Jockey
1 #6 Properly Connected 6-5 K Broberg S Civaci
2 #4 Kelley Said Ready 5-2 J R Caldwell L J Luzzi
3 #7 Tiz Magic 1-1 K E Jacks I V Diego
4 #4 Ernie Banker 2-1 J R Caldwell L J Luzzi
5 #5 Jibe 2-1 S M Asmussen S Elliott
6 #3 Nooge 8-5 S M Asmussen S Elliott
7 #1 Frosty Flirt 9-5 F Bravo F Wethey Jr.
8 #2 Texas Ascot Queen 3-1 M J Willis S Elliott
9 #5 Differentbutok 8-1 M J Willis S Elliott

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Racing Dudes Santa Anita Picks

Race Pick Odds Trainer Jockey
1 #6 Paulliac 8-5 P D'Amato F Prat
2 #2 Impossible Task 6-5 J W Sadler K Kimura
3 #5 Bajan Bashert 4-5 M Glatt F Prat
4 #6 Big Beauty 8-5 J W Sadler F Prat
5 #7 Street Art 6-1 W Spawr M E Smith
6 #3 Ballet Dancing 2-1 S Callaghan L Dettori
7 #7 La Deuxieme Etoile 4-1 D F O'Neill M Gutierrez
8 #9 Workday 7-2 J W Sadler F Prat

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Racing Dudes Sunland Park Picks

Race Pick Odds Trainer Jockey
1 #4 Boaz the Overcomer 8-1 W T Giles S G Dominguez
2 #1 No Mas Menudos 3-1 R Mendoza E Tapia
3 #8 Delight Interest 4-1 J Ponce M Gutierrez
4 #9 Shakers No Secret 3-1 M E Jungers N Garcia, Jr.
5 #2 Doing Something Good 5-2 F I Danley N Garcia, Jr.
6 #5 Viper Driver 4-1 W T Giles A A Ramos
7 #3 Whirlaway Valentine 9-2 M R Rodriguez E Ramirez
8 #10 Lariat 10-1 N Summers F Amparan
9 #10 Fanncee 5-2 W T Giles A A Ramos

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Racing Dudes Tampa Bay Downs Picks

Race Pick Odds Trainer Jockey
1 #5 Ask for Bode 2-1 J G Arnett S Camacho
2 #5 Funny Enough 7-5 M Hemingway C E Rojas
3 #1 Creative Cloud 7-5 J Delgado C E Rojas
4 #1 Liking It Twisted 9-5 J Arriagada S Camacho
5 #3 Classic Creation 5-2 J P Terranova, II A A Gallardo
6 #8 Volatility 4-1 J P Terranova, II S Camacho
7 #6 Marketsegmentation 3-1 C C Brown S Camacho
8 #4 City Humor 2-1 G Ochoa D Centeno
9 #4 Winfromwithin 6-1 J Delgado J A Batista
10 #2 Justintimeforwine 4-1 J H Delgado P Lopez

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Racing Dudes Turf Paradise Picks

Race Pick Odds Trainer Jockey
1 #2 Golden Halo 5-2 V Brinkerhoff H Hernandez
2 #4 Tony's Tapit 2-1 J Silva, Jr. F Garcia
3 #2 Arizona Sun 2-1 R Diodoro K Lopez
4 #6 Blue Azul 7-2 J R Evans A Marti
5 #2 J T's A. T. M. 5-2 J R Evans A M Cruz
6 #1 Uncle Jeff 9-5 V Cerin H Hernandez
7 #3 Phoenician Magic 4-1 M L Hernandez A Morales
8 #1 Awesome Saturday 5-1 R Diodoro K Lopez

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The Jury: Bets and fades for Feb. 4
TwinSpires Staff

A lot of graded stakes are on tap Saturday at Gulfstream, Santa Anita, and Tampa Bay Downs, but the TwinSpires Jury has characteristically cast a wide net in search of their best plays of the weekend.
What is your best bet?

James Scully: #9 Patrolman (5-1) in Saturday’s third race at Oaklawn Park. The four-year-old colt showed improved speed stretching out in his second start last time, and Patrolman looks poised to receive a favorable trip on the front end in a field lacking speed. Rafael Bejarano picks up the mount on the son of Empire Maker, and John Ortiz’s barn may be warming up, sending out a nice winner Sunday. I’ll tab Patrolman for a frontrunning win.

Vance Hanson: #8 Heavenly Sunday (5-1) offers value in the Sweetest Chant (G3) for three-year-old turf fillies at Gulfstream Park. The Brad Cox-trained daughter of Candy Ride is undefeated from two starts and both were achieved comfortably, beginning with a seven-length maiden score at Horseshoe Indianapolis last September. In an allowance at Keeneland in late October, Heavenly Sunday waited patiently for room in upper stretch and, when it appeared, she kicked away from the field to win by 2 3/4 lengths while signaling her stakes potential. With limited grass offerings at her Fair Grounds base, it's encouraging to see connections shipping and taking a shot against a group which doesn't appear that much faster on paper and against whom she can be competitive with mild progression.

Ashley Anderson: #7 Lovely Ride (3-1) can upset slight morning line favorite #1 A Mo Reay, a Brad Cox pupil coming off a three-length win in the $100,000 Pago Hop S., when the two face off in the Bayakoa S. (G3) at Oaklawn on Saturday. Back-to-back winner of the one-mile Mistletoe and 1 1/16-mile Pippin at Oaklawn, Lovely Ride will go for her third straight win here and re-opposes a number of rivals from the Pippin, which she wired in 1:44.04. Trainer Robertino Diodoro is an impressive 23-for-80 at Oaklawn this meet and strikes at a 27% clip with horses that won their last race. Jockey Cristian Torres will stay in the saddle and has won 32% of his last 53 races paired with Diodoro.

Who is the horse to fade?

JS: Cyclone Mischief (2-1) promises to be bet down in the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull (G3) following a sharp entry-level allowance win at Gulfstream, netting a 99 Brisnet Speed rating for the 5 3/4-length win, but it came at a one-turn mile. His slowest races have come at two turns, generating only a 77 figure in a Keeneland maiden win and finishing seventh in a low-rated Kentucky Jockey Club (G2). I will try to beat the favorite on the stretch back out to two turns.

VH: #6 Super Chow (6-5) has been virtually invincible in sprint stakes the past several months, but I'll take a stand against him in the Swale (G3) at Gulfstream. Although clearly fastest on the figures, this will mark the colt's first try at seven furlongs, which could prove troublesome if any sort of serious pressure is applied to him early, in particular from Two of a Kind, who is likely to strip fitter after getting left behind by Super Chow last time following an extended layoff. General Jim is the most likely beneficiary if both come back to the field.

AA: #3 Late September (2-1) in the LA Bred Premier Prince S., part of Louisiana Premier Night, was listed as the morning line favorite in the one-mile event but has yet to stretch out beyond seven furlongs, a distance from which he won by a length over today’s race rival King’s Lute. The Munnings colt has since raced in a trio of sprints between 5 1/2 and six furlongs, winning the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile S. two back at Fair Grounds, before finishing 11 lengths in fourth in the Sugar Bowl S. at the same track. Late September’s recent Late Pace Speed figures give cause for concern in his first try at a mile, and with his morning line price, I will look elsewhere. I’ll instead back #7 Marks Promise (4-1), who is undefeated in two starts, winning 5 1/2- and six-furlong sprints by a combined 12 3/4 lengths at Delta Downs. Trainer Karl Broberg (21% winner this meet) is an 18% winner with horses making their first start at a route, while regular rider C.J. McMahon wins at a 19% rate at route distances and is 5-for-17 paired with Broberg over the last 14 days.

What else is worth noting?

JS: Following a spectacular Keeneland allowance win, Le Da Vida (7-2) has been favored in both stakes appearances at Oaklawn. She didn’t fire over a sloppy track in the Mistletoe S., but ran better finishing third in the Pippin S. last out. And the Ignacio Correas-trained mare may receive a more favorable setup in Saturday’s Bayakoa (G3). Lovely Ride, who led wire-to-wire in the Mistletoe and Pippin, is eligible to face more pressure, and I give the edge to Le Da Vida.

VH: Although greatly disappointed when he went to the sidelines after an eye-catching win in the Henry Clark S. at Laurel last April, I'm excited for the return to action of #10 Chez Pierre (3-1) in the Tampa Bay (G3) on Saturday. The undefeated French-bred gelding looked a potential star taking the Henry Clark by 5 1/2 lengths in his stakes debut, and probably would have landed a Grade 2 on Preakness Day if he had not been removed from consideration. Chez Pierre took his U.S. debut over the Tampa turf last March and I'm expecting trainer Arnaud Delacour to have him in solid shape despite the long spell.

AA: Todd Pletcher three-year-olds Tapit Trice and Shesterkin — both on the radar for the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) — will race in a first-level allowance at Gulfstream on Saturday. Tapit Trice, who graduated in his second career race in a one-mile maiden special weight at Aqueduct, will make his third start here and will get the services of hot jockey Luis Saez. The Tapit colt closed at 45-1 odds in Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager. His stablemate did not draw the same support in the pool, closing at 103-1 odds, but Shesterkin was named the 8-5 morning line favorite here. The son of Violence won by 2 1/4 lengths in his only career start, a seven-furlong maiden special weight at Gulfstream. Irad Ortiz Jr. will stick with the dark bay in his first try at a route distance, and Shesterkin will break from the outside, from post 7, while Tapit Trice drew the rail and is listed at 9-5 on the morning line. Both will be competitive but if you're looking for value, #3 Classic Car Wash (7-2) is intriguing for trainer Mark Casse. The three-year-old gelding romped to an 8 1/2-length win in a seven-furlong maiden optional claimer in December at this track, then stretched out to a mile and 70 yards on Gulfstream’s Tapeta to score a 2 1/2-length tally in an allowance on Jan. 6. The Birdstone grandson moves up in class here and posted a pair of bullet, four-furlong workouts in January, suggesting he's sharp and ready.

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Coast to Coast Pick 5: Key Horses for Saturday, February 4, 2023

Back to our regularly scheduled programming. We had a few shorter prices come thru Pegasus Day, but the Ductor gave up on Art Collector long ago

The Saturday cards are starting to get filled with stakes races and the Ductor is percolating. Let’s whack them this weekend. and buy the paintings back. Skip.
Gulfstream Park Race 10: 7 Furlongs. F.G3 Forward Gal Stakes

#3 Automatically (3/1) – The Ductor is leaning towards singling this filly in the 1st leg. She ran well enough in the Breeders’ Cup with a bad trip to show she has a class edge over this group. She thrashed #6 Lynx (6/1) two starts back, who the Ductor puts 2nd here. Pletcher is 24% off the layoff this year and the Ductor will trust him.


Coast to Coast Pick 5: Key Horses for Saturday, February 4, 2023

Back to our regularly scheduled programming. We had a few shorter prices come thru Pegasus Day, but the Ductor gave up on Art Collector long ago (Gulfstream Park: Pegasus World Cup Day Key Horses | The Pony Conductor)

The Saturday cards are starting to get filled with stakes races and the Ductor is percolating. Let’s whack them this weekend. and buy the paintings back. Skip.
Gulfstream Park Race 10: 7 Furlongs. F.G3 Forward Gal Stakes

#3 Automatically (3/1) – The Ductor is leaning towards singling this filly in the 1st leg. She ran well enough in the Breeders’ Cup with a bad trip to show she has a class edge over this group. She thrashed #6 Lynx (6/1) two starts back, who the Ductor puts 2nd here. Pletcher is 24% off the layoff this year and the Ductor will trust him.

Others to be scared of: #7 Undervalued Asset (7/2), #8 Red Carpet Ready (4/1)
Santa Anita Park Race 4: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.G3 Megahertz Stakes

#8 Oakhurst (8/1) – This filly showed potential in the Chad Brown barn early in her career and ran her best career race last time. She was wide going into the first turn and showed a nice turn of foot closing into a slow pace. Now she cuts back to a mile and gets a rider upgrade to Prat. There will be a hot pace in this race and she will be flying late.

Others to be Scared of: #2 Hamwood Flier (5/1), #3 Nadette (5/1), #6 School Dance (3/1)
Gulfstream Park Race 11: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) F.S.G3 Sweetest Chant Stakes

Others to be Scared of: #8 Heavenly Sunday (5/1)
Gulfstream Park Race 12: 1 1/16 Mile. G3 Holy Bull Stakes

#4 Cyclone Mischief (2/1) – This colt took a giant step forward last time and if he runs the same race he’ll win easy. The Ductor is a little weary that effort was his first time with Lasix and now he’s back to all natural. Unfortunately, the Ductor doesn’t like any prices in this race. The alternative is #6 Legacy Isle (7/2). He set a blistering pace last time and did well to cross the wire first even though he was tired. He should get a more favorable trip here, alone on the lead.
Santa Anita Park Race 10: 1 Mile. (Turf) G3 Thunder Road Stakes

#7 There Goes Harvard (8/1) – This horse was impressive last year before something went wrong at Del Mar and has been on the bench since. All three of his turf races were good and he was able to win a Grade 1 on dirt, which isn’t his preferred surface based on his breeding. He’s working his eyeballs out and the Ductor likes that they’re putting him back on the turf. The barn isn’t messing around returning him to stakes company and calling Johnny V to ride.

#9 Hit The Road (5/1) – He’s the class of the field and hopefully his dull effort last time helps his price. That race was clearly a prep for this spot. They take the blinkers off and return him to his best distance today. If he can get a good trip from the outside draw, he’s dangerous
Others to be Scared of: #2 Du Jour (15/1), #4 Bob and Jackie (15/1), #10 Dark Shift (8/1), #12 Cabo Spirit (6/1)

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Pick 3 for Gulfstream Feb. 4, including Forward Gal Stakes
Ashley Anderson

Gulfstream Park will offer a 12-race card on Saturday packed with five graded stakes, including the Forward Gal S. (G3), which will award qualifying points toward the Kentucky Oaks (G1) to the top five finishers on a 20-8-6-4-2 scale.

Below we provide spot plays and a Pick 3 for the aforementioned stakes along with the Kitten’s Joy S. (G3) and Sweetest Chant S. (G3).
Race 9: Kitten’s Joy S. (G3), 1 1/16 miles on turf, three-year-olds

#4 Major Dude (5-2) failed as the even-money favorite to #1 Candidate in the one-mile Dania Beach S. last out at Gulfstream on Jan. 7, finishing 1 3/4 lengths in second after a belated rally. The Todd Pletcher pupil will re-oppose his conqueror here in his second start off a layoff and should improve with the stretch-out to 1 1/16 miles, a distance over which he won the Pilgrim S. (G2) three back at Aqueduct. The Bolt d’Oro son will keep regular rider Irad Ortiz Jr., a 26% winner this meet, and posted a sharp, four-furlong workout ahead of this Grade 3 test. Pletcher is a 25% winner at Gulfstream and strikes at a 23% rate with horses making their second start off a break.

Race 10: Forward Gal S. (G3), 7 furlongs, three-year-old fillies

The Kentucky Oaks prep drew 10 fillies, including Smart Halo S. hero Twice as Sweet, and Gulfstream stakes winners Atomically and Lynx. But I like Fern Creek S. champ #8 Red Carpet Ready (4-1), who is undefeated in two career starts while running six and 6 1/2 furlongs. On debut, the Kitten’s Joy granddaughter beat the field by 10 lengths in a $120,000 maiden special weight at Churchill Downs while recording a 91 Brisnet Speed rating, then returned to win by 3 1/4 lengths in her first stakes appearance, finishing with a 92 Brisnet speed figure. The filly will also get a rider switch to Luis Saez, a 22% winner at Gulfstream and a 21% winner with sprints.

Another intriguing runner in the field is debut winner #7 Undervalued Asset (7-2), a Chad Brown filly who dominated by 8 1/4 lengths in an $85,000 maiden special weight at Aqueduct on Nov. 10. The Speightstown three-year-old has a chance if she can break well from post 7 and get out front early to set the pace. She’ll keep rider Irad Ortiz Jr., while Brown is a 25% winner with horses coming off layoffs of 46-90 days and a 22% winner in graded stakes.

We'll try to beat morning line favorite #3 Atomically (3-1) in our Pick 3 and play Red Carpet Ready, Undervalued Asset, and #6 Lynx (6-1), who posted a 47-second, four-furlong work on Jan. 29 and is eligible to improve in her second start off a break.
Race 11: Sweetest Chant S. (G3), 1 1/16 miles on turf, three-year-old fillies

From a Brisnet Prime Power perspective, #7 Cairo Consort (2-1) ranks first, 13 points higher than the next-best runner, #1 Sweetlou’sgotaces (4-1). The Cairo Prince filly won the one-mile Ginger Brew S. last out by a half-length over Stephanie’s Charm, who re-opposes here, while making her first start for Todd Pletcher. She faced much tougher while under the guidance of Nathan Squires, placing second by a length in the one-mile Natalma (G1) and third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) as a 19-1 longshot at the end of last year. Pletcher is a 24% winner with horses that won their last race as well as those making their second start off a layoff. Irad Ortiz Jr. will stay in the saddle and is 16-6-2-2 paired with Pletcher over the last 14 days.
$3 Pick 3 ticket

4 with 6,7,8 with 7 ($9)

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Handicapper's Corner: 2023 Holy Bull Stakes (G3)
Will Speed Rule the Holy Bull Stakes?
By: John Caro, ThoroFan Handicapper


The Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) is the first in a series of prep races at Gulfstream leading to the Florida Derby and the 2023 Kentucky Derby. There are points involved and competition will be quite keen.

There are some speed balls entered and as we know from past races at Gulfstream it is a speed favoring track. The one factor that might play a card this time is the weather. Although it's been super here for the week, a frontal passage Friday might bless us with some rain. Which may play a factor in the outcome.

Looking back at some races, two stuck out. 2020, Tiz The Law who jumped to the front, got passed, shuffled back and re- rallied to take the race. Was he really a front runner? Maybe, but he was able to track wisely in traffic and catch them on the later part of the turn.

2019, was all about the speed duel between the Ortiz brothers and they out did themselves. Harvey Wallbanger shot to the rail and slipped through with a thunderous roar to take the money at 25-1.

There is no question in this race we have speed on top of speed. Which presents a question. Do ya play for the speed of the speed, a tracking sort or the one who can track a pace and close?



I like the track and close idea. Not a horse that comes from way off the pace but sets up mid to early and can make a move to the lead in a situation where the wire is early for the mile and a sixteenth. Only two horses have proven at the distance.

#4 Cyclone Mischief (2-1) – Romans/Gaffalione and #8 Rocket Can (7-2) – Mott/Alvarado. Both have gone the distance twice and won once, both are from their great dad, Into Mischief, both rate close to the par speed but only Rocket Can has run in the slop at 96 and closed at 108. I think Rocket Can is more tactical could side in the cat bird seat and make the right move at the right time.

There is no doubt that #6 Legacy Isle (7-2) – Crichton/Saez is the early speed of the speed with Cyclone Mischief right behind and Rocket Can can choose to track.

There is a probability #5 Mr Bob might try to press the pace with the leaders. Both the #1 and 2 trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr. and riden by Irad Ortiz and Edgard Zayas might be involved late. #1 was third in the Mucho Macho Man against Cyclone Mischief.

The #3 Shadow Dragon (15-1) – Mott/Ortiz, JL – won his maiden as is consistent with animals coming from Army Mule and Mott must have seen something that needed adjustment since he hasn't been seen for three months to enter here. Caution!!!: Mott brings horses off a long rest with exceptional results…e.g. Art Collector, and I expect we'll see something from this lad.

As I said earlier, I like a horse that can be tactical, with speed who can close. The weather being a factor I put Rocket Can on top today.

Handigambling

$2 Trifecta - 8 with 1, 4, 3 with All = $36

$2 Exacta Box – 1, 3, 4, 8 = $24

$7 Win 3, $14 Show 3 = $21

Good luck to everyone…..See you at the Florida Derby

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How to bet With, and Against, Major Dude in the Kitten's Joy Stakes
John Mucciolo

A total of eight three-year-olds will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Gulfstream Park lawn in Saturday’s $175,000 Kitten’s Joy S. (G3). #4 Major Dude (5-2), one of two in the cast for conditioner Todd Pletcher, has been installed as the morning-line choice in the competitive tilt. The Grade 2 victor has shown nice improvement since moving to the green for his fourth career start and looms large with his top effort.

Major Dude handled a yielding turf course with ease at Aqueduct in October while making his initial try on the sod, powering home a one-length winner over a solid field. By Bolt d’Oro, the $550,000 yearling purchase capped his juvenile campaign with a ninth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Keeneland.

The Spendthrift colorbearer commenced 2023 with a rallying and clear runner-up result in the Dania Beach S. on the surface and shows two solid morning drills since in advance of his second try off the layoff. Kentucky-bred colt possesses good tactical speed and will be in range at the top of the stretch with regular pilot Irad Ortiz Jr. in the silks.

#5 Lights on Broadway (5-1) gave a fine account of himself in his first turf try when second-best in the recent Pulpit S. One of two in the field for Mark Casse, the $250,000 son of City of Light owns a stakes win on the all-weather here and brings fine form to the field with a trio of successive top-two finishes overall. The bay colt earned a hefty Brisnet Late Pace number in his lone run on the turf to date, and he will be dangerous in the lane with even minor improvement beneath Jose Morelos.

#1 Candidate (3-1) has rolled to three wins from three turf tries to date and will be the one to catch from the rail. Trained by Arnaud Delacour, the Exaggerator chestnut was never challenged in the Dania Beach while making his local bow and rates an obvious chance with even minor improvement. Tyler Gaffalione will be in the stirrups.

Graham Motion’s #2 Souzak (8-1) figures to move forward in his second run since his importation from France. The $392,000 Arqana Arc Sale purchase didn’t have a smooth voyage in the Dania Beach most recently, but the Kodiac colt displayed a lot of ability as a juvenile and could surprise at a nice number. Joel Rosario retains the mount.
Major Dude – With

$1 superfecta 4 with 1,2,5 with 1,2,5 with all ($36)
50-cent superfecta 4 with 1,2,5 with all with 1,2,5 ($18)

Major Dude – Against

$2 trifecta 1,2,5 with 1,2,4,5 with 1,2,4,5 ($36)
$2 exacta box 1,2,5 ($12)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

2023 Holy Bull Stakes Cheatsheet
By TwinSpires Editorial Team, Sponsored Content
February 3, 2023

By Vance Hanson (TwinSpires)

1. LORD MILES (4-1) – A convincing debut winner over six, he took a step forward in the one-mile Mucho Macho Man S. though ultimately ran out of real estate when faced with a five-length deficit in the final furlong; a son of Curlin, he should appreciate the stretch out to two turns; the downside is that neither race was particularly fast, the Mucho Macho Man especially being one of the slower renewals on the clock; might not see another sprint-like pace here either.

2. WEST COAST COWBOY (12-1) – Gutted out a debut win in the slop going a mile back in September, but was outpaced two months later when facing returning rival Legacy Isle; it’s been another two-plus month layoff for the Joseph trainee, who needs to take it up a notch against that rival plus several others that have run faster to this point.

3. SHADOW DRAGON (15-1) – Mott coming in hot off an upset win in last week’s Pegasus World Cup (G1), but this colt is the lesser on paper of the barn’s two entrants; miraculously made up a 14-length deficit to win his debut in a photo, but that was against New York-breds; his follow-up, in a state-bred stakes won by eventual open stakes-placed Arctic Arrogance, was rather discouraging; connections apparently think there is more here than meets the eye, but taking a wait-and-see approach.

4. CYCLONE MISCHIEF (2-1) – Couldn’t fend off dual Derby prep winner Instant Coffee in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) two back, but took a step forward in his local debut, winning a one-mile allowance for fun and posting a strong 99 Brisnet speed rating; a proven winner around two turns, he looms the one to beat here if he can avoid any severe regression off the career best.

5. MR BOB (10-1) – Maiden claiming grad was stakes-placed in the 6 1/2-furlong Ed Brown at Churchill Downs two back, though that race wasn’t an especially deep cast; a troubled start compromised his chances in the Mucho Macho Man, and he’s proven more effective rating much closer to the leaders; we might see more from him early with blinkers added and a more ideal beginning, though class concerns remain.

6. LEGACY ISLE (7-2) – Has crossed the wire first in all three outings, though demoted to second for drifting late in the Mucho Macho Man; as noted above, it was not one of the stellar renewals of the race from a time perspective, and now the son of Shackleford must stretch his speed a bit farther here while facing a couple rivals with winning experience routing; needs to quicken.

7. IL MIRACOLO (20-1) – Although Remsen (G2) run probably not indicative of his true merit around two turns, he’s been no match for Legacy Isle in either of their prior meetings; the one victory was achieved in wire-to-wire fashion, and perhaps the returning Reyes will be more aggressive with him as he was in that Nov. 12 maiden; overall, others look more appealing.

8. ROCKET CAN (7-2) – After two nondescript outings sprinting at Saratoga, he made noticeable progress back in Kentucky when stretched out around two turns; close second in an allowance last time is one of the stronger efforts turned in by a member of the field, though the winning Confidence Game subsequently finished a well-beaten third in the Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds; the stronger of the two Motts and a likely contender given the relative modesty of opposition.

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Noel’s Weekend Winners: Targeting Great Betting Races at Gulfstream
by Noel Michaels

Gulfstream Park won’t have too many dull Saturday cards from here on out at its premier Championship winter race meet, and this Saturday is a prime example with an exceptional 12-race program on tap that is loaded with five Grade 3 stakes races.
weekend Television schedule

Friday, Feb. 3: 3-6 p.m. on FS2; post time varies on FanDuel TV

Saturday, Feb. 4: 3-6:30 p.m. on FS2; 4-6 p.m. on CNBC; post time varies on FanDuel TV

Sunday, Feb. 5: 3-4 p.m. on FS2; 4-6 p.m. on FS1; post time varies on FanDuel TV

The feature race and the race many people are anxious to see this weekend is the $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes on Gulfstream’s road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, but that race certainly isn’t the only game in town. The four undercard stakes are also important events and the best of them, the Forward Gal Stakes and the Sweetest Chant Stakes, are perhaps the most bettable races of the day. Let’s focus on these two races and try to make it a winning Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Gulfstream Park, Race 10, $125,000 Forward Gal Stakes, post 4:17 p.m. ET

The Grade 3 Forward Gal Stakes for 3-year-old fillies going seven furlongs on the main track marks the return to action of #3 Atomically, who finished seventh last time out in the NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in her first start since going to the barn of trainer Todd Pletcher. Before that, Atomically had distinguished herself right here at Gulfstream Park where she reeled off back-to-back monster wins last fall, including a 6 3/4-length victory in the $400,000 My Dear Girl division of the Florida Sire Stakes, in which she ran faster than the corresponding stakes for 2-year-old males. Atomically is already a winner at this seven-furlong distance, and she is versatile from a pace perspective as a horse that can lead all the way or rate just off the pace if called for. That leaves the question of who is going to run second and third? The Chad Brown-trained #7 Undervalued Asset was certainly no secret in her first and only outing to date, in which she was sent off as the odds-on favorite and won off impressively by 8