R11 Gulfstream G2 Fort Lauderdale
 

The Gulfstream Championship Winter Meet goes in to full swing today with a solid card we haven't seen in the states in weeks. :ThmbUp:

The featured race is a dandy, that fields 14 horses going 9 Furlongs on the Gulfstream dirf.

:1: Glorious Empire: The conditions of the turf course at Churchill obviously weren't to the liking of this guy, and he faded more than an Al Capone gangster photo. He likes the front end, and would need to gate to wire this bunch to have any hope. Prefer many others.

:2: Quarteto de Cordas: The Brazilian went off at 135/1 in the BC Turf and ran like a 135/1 shot. While famous down south, hard to see a massive turnaround for this guy today. Pass.

:3: Projected: Chad Brown/Javier Castellano alone should pique your interest, but this one always seems to be the bridesmaid as opposed to being the bride. Solid exotics player, but hard to see on top.

:4: Qurbaan: Two races in the States are pretty solid while not taking a ton of money in either effort. A sneaky entry in whose odds will likely drift upwards of the 5/1 ML. Interesting player in an interesting field.

:5: Hi Happy: Earlier this year, he was as good as any turf horse in the states. He has certainly leveled off since then and wasn't much of a factor in the BC Turf. He now returns to the venue of what is likely his career best effort in the March G2 Pan American. He'll run better today, but not sure he is good enough at a likely low price.

:6: Blacktype: A true front running turf distance horse that has wired his last two fields on good to yielding turf courses. Dangerous if they let him have his way, and solid exotics player regardless.

:7: Almanaar: While he finished 10th in the BC Mile, it wasn't that horrendously awful. Rosario won with this guy at this very venue at this very distance back in February. Could we get a Chad Brown entry as an overlay?

:8: Oscar Nominated: A solid Kitten's Joy for the Ramseys, but he is far from great. Not sure he belongs in here with many of these.

:9: Mr Havercamp: If you are looking for a shot, this guy could be your play. Certainly in form as he has won 3 of his last 5 races and 7 of 11 in his career thus far. Gets Johnny V in the irons and really hasn't ever ran a bad race to date. His two ships to Belmont and Saratoga didn't bear much fruit. Will he find the goings better in Florida?

:10: Divisidero: The battle-tested veteran ran his guts out in the BC Mile to only get a disheartening 4th. He is as good as any in here on his best day and has ran solid at this venue. Hard to leave out of exotics.

:11: Postulation: Hard to see. Looks to be way in over his head.

:12: Zulu Alpha: Interesting entry that is in form with 3 wins in his last 4 starts. Seems a bit outclassed, but could be a definite exotics booster in the 2/3/4 hole.

:13: Doctor Mounty: Really nice win 2 back, but that took a career effort to get done. Post position is against him, and there are many others in this field who have taken this guy down. Hard to see.

:14: Inspector Lynley: Hasn't ran a bad race in '18 and is always in the mix. Hasn't beat many of his rivals in here, but is always right there. A dangerous 'outsider' with Jose Ortiz in the irons.


WP: :7:
EX BOX: :4::7::9::10:

Closing out my P5's with

:2::6::9::10::11::12:

That means all the others have a big shot.

GL

Nearly impossible race, so I am flying with :9: , with rock steady form

:9: Mr. Havercamp

could be a weird race...

everyone thinks it's a fast or at least 'honest' pace... some give in the ground...

So (counter-intuitively) I can picture the :1: being disrespected again and there being some urgency to make up ground late...

If the pace gets crazy mid/late race, it sets up very nicely for the :3:.

:3: hasn't shown a brilliant stretch run, but has the class and fundamentals, draws well and can foreseeably win this race on style alone.

If it ends up being forward favoring, a horse like the :5::6::10: could steal it with first run.


Very tough race for me. I may just sit on my hands and hope to see a trip for next time.

If any replay surprised me, the :10: ran really well in the BC.

My gut says that he's this group's 'Bravazo', but you're supposed to 'key' this guy up and down off that performance in the BC.

I just don't trust him to repeat that performance and dominate this group.
-There was no 'flow' whatsoever in that Woodbine race, so you can draw a line through it. The Fourstardave was kind of a weird race with Delta Prince taking all that money(at least I was surprised by the money) and then running really big, and Voodoo Song stealing the win up front on the good turf course. The :10: ran fine that day. Maybe he's in top form and those other recent races just were darkened a bit by circumstance.

:1: Glorious Empire : Needs to go wire to wire, not happening.

:2: Quarteto de Cordas: Needs lesser company, like back in Brazil.

:3: Projected: Twice as many seconds and thirds as wins. At least you know where to play him.

:4: Qurbaan: The first contender, and a strong one. 5-1 is nice also. The Pick.

:5: Hi Happy: Contender for sure. Wilted in last, but not likely to see that hot of pace today.

:6: Blacktype: Like this guy, but not here. Three in a row? I do not see it.

:7: Almanaar: Interesting price and connections, but the recent form is horrible. No thanks.

:8: Oscar Nominated: The price is right, if you can get by the health issues, the jockey change, and the poor form. Worth a play in Pick 3's and such.

:9: Mr Havercamp: Never ran fast enough to win here. Out.

:10: Divisidero: Second off and could fire a beg one. Needs to get a trip, but is not out of the question. Contender.

:11: Postulation: No thanks, please drop in class.

:12: Zulu Alpha: Solid form, good exotics play.

:13: Doctor Mounty: See :11:.

:14: Inspector Lynley: Jockey chose this one over the :8:. Has a shot, Contender.

:4::7::14: exb

Ex :10:, :14: / :5:, :6:, :10:, :14:

:10: WP


:10::9::2: ex and tri box

So much for the :7: being an overlay. :bang:

I'm friggin powerful.

That was no fun.

:1::4::5::14:


Tough to get to the 7YO in this field.


Congrats to those that did. :ThmbUp:

That was disgusting.

Give the :1: some credit. 3/last 4..


Seemed to be disrespected AGAIN today, with riders waiting instead of tackling.


Maybe I'm wrong and he's a top Grade 2 turf horse? Too pissed at the moment to give the race an unbiased review...

yup...

'the money' said that the :7: was live, and the :3: was ice cold...

You nailed it in your write up.


He was a bit disrespected. However, he was 7/1, so not sure how much.



When the :6: didn't fire, he took advantage.