No racing takes place on Christmas Day. Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs are the only 2 tracks that will be running on Christmas Eve. The former has a major stakes to kick off the holiday hiatus.
Friday Analysis
Gulfstream Park Race 1
Post: 12:00 PM ET; Purse: $23,000 Maiden Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8
#4 BEASTFROMTHEEAST (7-5) is a major player in today’s race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & pace numbers. #6 MY MAN VITO (6-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse’s advantages in stamina & record at the distance. #7 PRAYIN ON CURRENCY (5-1) is in with a great chance based on the breeding. #5 TORDO (15-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today’s distance and surface conditions.
Selections: 4-6-7-5 (Best Bet #4)
Gulfstream Park Race 2
Post: 12:30 PM ET; Purse: $34,000 Claiming, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 6
#1 VANISHING FAITH (5-1) is worth a look here given edges in class & race flow. #5 NUMERIC (3-1) merits consideration in this spot given the speed figures earned in recent starts. #2 SCIENCE FRICTION (6-1) should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done. #6 DOLCE APRILE (8-5) has to be considered with the top power rating in the group.
Selections: 1-5-2-6
Gulfstream Park Race 3
Post: 12:58 PM ET; Purse: $23,000 Maiden Claiming, About 5 Furlongs on All Weather Track; Entries: 8
#7 BONNIE’S THE BEST (2-1) is worth a look here. The bloodline suggests this one should be among the best of this lot. #1 MAMA LONGLEGS (3-1) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts. #3 BORDEAUX LEGACY (10-1) will likely have the stamina to outlast these in the final jumps of the race. #2 PRINCESS TERESKA (6-1) is a fringe contender, but the price will have to be right for inclusion on tickets.
Selections: 7-1-3-2
Gulfstream Park Race 4
Post: 1:26 PM ET; Purse: $24,000 Claiming, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 8
#4 THE RED MAN (6-1) looks like an upsetter here. Along with top speed figures the race seems to setup just perfectly. #3 ETHOS (5-2) is worth a look here given the connections. #5 CONVERTER (8-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today’s distance and surface conditions. #8 METEORITO (15-1) is a longshot worth a use underneath in the vertical gimmicks.
Selections: 4-3-5-8
Gulfstream Park Race 5
Post: 1:54 PM ET; Purse: $32,000 Maiden Claiming, About 1 1/16 Miles on All Weather Track; Entries: 11
#8 BOGGIEMIESTER (5-1) based on the connections and the previous experience. #10 EUPHORIA STAR (4-1) should be competitive today based on the horse’s advantages in speed & form. #2 TANG (3-1) should be given a look based on the overall power rating which has it tops in the group. #5 CUPID’S DUDE (30-1) could get a perfect pace scenario today and is well worth a little capital at the current price.
Selections: 8-10-2-5
Gulfstream Park Race 6
Post: 2:28 PM ET; Purse: $54,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 1 1/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 8
#6 BASELINE DRIVE (2-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse’s advantages in stamina & power rating. #4 YOLANDA’S PRIDE (8-1) is worth a look here given edges in class & pace numbers. #5 LOOKINLIKEAQUEEN (8-1) looks comparable to the others in this group and wouldn’t be a total surprise. #7 DOUBLE BLESSED (9-2) is a major player based on speed figures.
Selections: 6-4-5-7
Gulfstream Park Race 7
Post: 2:58 PM ET; Purse: $34,000 Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7
#4 YES I’M A BEAST (3-1) should be competitive today based on the horse’s advantages in speed & form. #1 RUSSIAN TO WIN (7-2) is worth a look here given edges in connections & power rating. #7 GILLIGAN (9-2) should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done. #5 PO BOY (5-1) seems to be on the lower end of the likely winners, but will need to represent value to be included on my tickets.
Selections: 4-1-7-5
Gulfstream Park Race 8
Post: 3:28 PM ET; Purse: $21,000 Claiming, 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 10
#1 BIMINI (7-2) may get a perfect setup today and has been in good form of late. #10 PRETTY RACHEL (3-1) merits consideration in this spot given the speed figures. This one is proven at the distance as well. #3 ALIZEE (8-1) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts. #8 YES I’M EVIL (9-2) is worth a look here given edges in stamina & power rating.
Selections: 1-10-3-8
Gulfstream Park Race 9
Post: 3:59 PM ET; Purse: $61,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, About 1 Mile 70 Yards on All Weather Track; Entries: 8
#4 KITODAN (8-1) has the best recent speed figures. That doesn’t always mean much on the tapeta surface, but at 8-1 I love this one to pull off the upset. #1 CHURCHTOWN (5-2) could get a perfect pace scenario today. #2 C MY MEISTER (4-1) should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done. #3 CALIFORNIA FROLIC (5-1) will likely have the stamina to outlast these in the final jumps of the race.
Selections: 4-1-2-3
Gulfstream Park Race 10
Post: 4:32 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 H. Allen Jerkens S., 2 Miles on Turf; Entries: 9
#8 BLUEGRASS PARKWAY (7-2) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today’s distance and surface conditions. #4 AJOURNEYTOFREEDOM (9-2) should be competitive today based on the horse’s advantages in speed & form. #3 ABAAN (4-1) has to be respected today edging the field in several key handicapping factors including stamina & power rating. #9 FANTASIOSO (3-1) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts.
Selections: 8-4-3-9
Betting News Handicapping Products
Although the slate is fairly quiet heading into Christmas, racing will heat back up on December 26th with the opening of Santa Anita. Don’t forget to check out the Betting News free handicapping tools to help you solidify all of your selections over the weekend of racing.
