It’s Maiden Madness Monday at Gulfstream Park, and today’s 8-race card certainly earns the name.

Five of the eight races feature horses trying to earn their first career victory, creating exactly the kind of uncertainty where Smart Sheets can help us separate legitimate contenders from horses that may be taking too much money.

Then Race 6 changes things up with the $100,000 In Summation Stakes, a six-furlong sprint for Florida-bred 2-year-olds. All six entrants come into the race off victories, making it an intriguing test of promising young horses.

With so many lightly raced and inexperienced horses, today isn’t just about finding the most likely winner. We’re looking for:

Horses with identifiable pace and speed advantages First-time starters showing positive Smart Sheets signals Runners already demonstrating they can meet PAR SIM Odds overlays versus the morning line Horses we can eliminate to make ticket construction easier Overlooked runners capable of blowing up the exotics

There’s also an added wagering wrinkle: Gulfstream has a mandatory payout of the 20-cent Rainbow 6, with the pool estimated at $400,000. The sequence begins in Race 3 and includes the In Summation.

Five maiden races. A $100,000 stakes race. A mandatory Rainbow 6 payout.

Sounds like a pretty good Monday to put Smart Sheets to work.

Watch Terry and Rich break down the card, hunt for value, and see if we can turn Maiden Madness into Money Monday.

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Race 1

7½ Furlongs Turf

Terry’s Picks

1st – #1 Lord Henry – Ran 2nd vs similar in only start; Highest last race speed rating; Rail post is winning at 23% clip; strong trainer/jockey stats.

2nd – #4 More Power to You – Breeding suggests he will like the grass as Dam has 4 winners from 5 starters and 2 Turf winners; Has a high % winning trainer and jockey; Blinkers added today.

3rd – #6 Caribbean Comet – First time starter whose Breeding suggests he will like the grass; Has a high % winning trainer who wins 23% of the Debut Maiden SpW.

Longshot:

#3 Slew de Oro – Has a high % winning trainer and jockey; Good 4F workout (Aug-02).

Alternates:

#5 The Seventh King
#7 Furious Agenda

Rich’s Picks

Race 1: 7½ Furlongs Turf – Stalkers, Rail Bonus and the rest Fairish

1st – #7 FURIOUS AGENDA – 3.00 first timer – decent works

2nd – #1 LORD HENRY – 2nd race PROBABILITY well past par

3rd – #4 MORE POWER TO YOU – only YES horse – 3rd race bounce back

4th – #6 CARIBBEAN COMET – the other 1st timer versus all remaining noes

Suggested Bet:

$5 Exacta Key Box: 7/1,4,6

Race 2 – Female

5½ Furlongs AW

Terry’s Picks

1st – #6 Bundalay – Ran 2nd vs similar in last race; Best AW speed is fastest among today’s starters; Has a high % winning jockey.

2nd – #1 Sweet Taste – Drops in class today; strong jockey stats.

3rd – #5 Nenas Star – Finished in the money in 2 races out of last 3 starts; Early speed running style helps chances.

Longshot:

#3 Copper Creole – Highest last race speed rating; Drops in class today; strong trainer and jockey stats.

Alternate:

#2 Lioness Lillian

Terry’s Suggested Wager:

$.50 Pick 4: 1,2,3,5,6/2,7/3,4/2,4,5,7 – Cost $40.00

Rich’s Picks

Race 2: 5½ Furlongs AW – Early Speed, Outside In

1st – #3 COPPER CREOLE – only YES horse has to be at the top

2nd – #6 BUNDALAY – on the pace with the 5 and Top TOTAL PACE +10 vs experienced

3rd – #5 NENAS STAR – like the 6 – on the pace and both have strong C ZONES

4th – #1 SWEET TASTE – only class dropper and has better EP/FRACTIONS

Suggested Bet:

$1 Pick 4: 3,6/2,7,8/3,4,5/4,7

Race 3 – Female

1 Mile 70 Yards AW

Terry’s Picks

1st – #2 Workinclasskid – Switches to a high % winning jockey; Drops in class today; Best AW speed is fastest among today’s starters.

2nd – #7 Holy Cow – Highest last race speed rating; Drops in class today.

3rd – #6 Rockazo – Strong trainer and jockey stats.

Longshot:

#5 Rudi – Best AW speed is close to the Avg Winning Speed.

Alternate:

#1 St Joe Fury

Rich’s Picks

Race 3: 1 Mile 70 Yards AW – Stalkers, Inside 3 Small Edge

1st – #2 WORKINCLASSKID – Only YES horse and dropper

2nd – #8 FLYING CHIEF – 1st timer and the rest are noes and maybes

3rd – #7 HOLY COW – TLRSP#+8 and Top TOTAL PACE of a length vs the experienced horses

4th – #1 ST JOE FURY – signs of life in his last – much better EP – needs a better start and should vs these

Suggested Bets:

$5 Exacta Key Box: 2/1,7,8

$0.20 Rainbow Pick 6: 2,7,8/4,5/4/2,3/1,3/3,4

Race 4

1 Mile – Early Speed

Terry’s Picks

1st – #4 To Joey – Won last race at Gulfstream Park; Highest speed figure at today’s distance; Best Dirt Speed is fastest among today’s starters (tie); strong trainer/jockey stats.

2nd – #3 Spirit of the Law – Finished in the money in 3 races out of 4 starts at Gulfstream Park; Drops in class today; High% trainer and jockey.

3rd – #5 Noble Prince – Switches to a high% jockey; Drops in class today; High% trainer who wins 17% of the races in Dirt starts.

Longshot:

#2 Taparino – Can improve while returning to Dirt; Trainer who wins 25% of the races when taking a horse from AW to Dirt; Best Dirt Speed is fastest among today’s starters (tie).

Alternate:

#1 Infinityandbeyond

Rich’s Picks

Race 4: 1 Mile – Early Speed, Rail Discount, 2-7 Fair, 8+ Best

1st – #4 TO JOEY – TLRSP# +6 and top TOTAL PACE – Z Pattern

2nd – #5 NOBLE PRINCE – super consistent – with highest SIM SP#

3rd – #3 SPIRIT OF THE LAW – Only YES horse – resume says 3rd up should be solid

4th – #1 INFINITYANDBEYOND – could be on the lead with a top C ZONE w/ the 4

Suggested Bet:

$5 Exacta Key Box: 4/1,3,5

Race 5

5 Furlongs Turf – Early Speed – 50% w2w

Terry’s Picks

1st – #4 Wheelhouse – Ran 2nd vs similar (on AW) in last race; Best Turf Speed is fastest among today’s starters; strong trainer/jockey stats.

2nd – #2 Image – Has a high % winning trainer and jockey.

3rd – #7 Kingswearcrowns – Drops in class today; strong jockey stats.

Longshot:

#5 Santagata – Good 4F workout (Aug-07).

Alternate:

None

Terry’s Suggested Wager:

$.50 Pick 4: 2,4,5,7/1,2,3,5/1,3,5/3,4 – Cost $48.00

Rich’s Picks

Race 5: 5 Furlongs Turf – Early Speed, 50% w2w – PP: 1-7 Fair, 8+ big discount

1st – #4 WHEELHOUSE – TLRSP# +4 and SIM SP#+8 and biggest drop

2nd – #7 KINGSWEARCROWNS – YES horse with the 4 – has regressed in both 2nd ups

3rd – #5 DON’T GO ASTRAY – longest shot in a 4 horse field with a standout C ZONE

4th – #2 IMAGE – somebody has to 4th of 4

Suggested Bet:

$0.50 Pick 4: 4,7/1,2,3/1,3,4/2,3,4,5,7

Race 6

$100,000 In Summation Stakes

6 Furlongs – Early Speed – 36% w2w – PP: Fairish, 8+ Best

The $100,000 In Summation Stakes provides a fascinating break from today’s maiden-heavy card. All six Florida-bred 2-year-olds enter off victories, making this a true test of which promising youngster is ready to take the next step.

Terry’s Picks

1st – #3 Sum of Success – Won his debut race at Gulfstream Park easily; Has a high % winning trainer.

2nd – #2 American Roadster – Won his debut race at Gulfstream Park; Best Dirt Speed is fastest among today’s starters (tie); Has a high % winning trainer and jockey.

3rd – #1 Boyhood Dream – Won his debut race at Gulfstream Park also; Has a high % winning trainer and jockey; Good 3F workout (Aug-01).

Longshot:

#5 Spicy Taco – Won his debut race by closing at 5F and stretches out to 6F which should be a plus; strong trainer and jockey stats.

Alternates:

#6 It’s Smoking
#4 Road to Midnight

Rich’s Picks

1st – #3 SUM OF SUCCESS – 2nd race PARABILITY – ran a second faster than the 2 – a work between starts that could be too fast

2nd – #2 AMERICAN ROADSTER – same 2nd race PARABILITY as the 3 – but won in open company – where the 3 beat state breds

3rd – #1 BOYHOOD DREAM – fastest of the 5f times and another that beat open company

4th – #5 SPICY TACO – 3rd highest 2nd race PARABILITY – funky trip and bold late move

Race 6 Smart Sheets Takeaway

Race 6 is one of the most interesting races on the entire Gulfstream card because every entrant arrives undefeated.

Both Terry and Rich land on #3 Sum of Success as their top selection, while #2 American Roadster and #1 Boyhood Dream also appear in both sets of top-three picks.

The intriguing price horse is #5 Spicy Taco. Terry identifies him as his longshot, while Rich ranks him fourth and notes his unusual debut trip and strong late move.

With the mandatory Rainbow 6 underway, this could become a critical race in determining whether players can stay narrow or need additional coverage.

Race 7 – Female

7 Furlongs – Early Speed – 0% w2w – PP: Rail Discount, 2-7 Fair, 8+ Best

Terry’s Picks

1st – #1 Forgotten About – First time starter whose Sire wins 18% with 1st time Starters; Dam has 1 winner from 1 starter; Bullet 5F workout (Aug-01); Has a high % winning trainer and jockey.

2nd – #3 Kokomo Kitty – First time starter whose Dam has 6 winners from 6 starters and 2 stakes winners; strong trainer/jockey stats.

3rd – #5 Hello Poochy Lou – Finished in the money in 3 races out of 4 starts at Gulfstream Park; Highest last race speed rating; strong jockey stats.

Longshot:

#4 Camber – Ran 2nd vs similar in last race; Trying dirt may help.

Alternate:

#7 Lady Rockula

Rich’s Picks

1st – #1 FORGOTTEN ABOUT – top Rated 1ster with Back and Bullet and Go

2nd – #3 KOKOMO KITTY – 2nd rated 1ster with Back and Bullet and Go

3rd – #4 CAMBER – 2nd race PARABILITY a little past par – breeding is best

4th – #5 HELLO POOCHY LOU – potential pacesetter that was better mid-LP and early Fractions

Race 7 Smart Sheets Takeaway

Terry and Rich are in complete agreement at the top with #1 Forgotten About and #3 Kokomo Kitty ranked first and second.

The first-time starters are especially interesting here. Forgotten About brings the combination of pedigree, a Bullet 5F workout, and strong connections, while Kokomo Kitty comes from a dam that has produced six winners from six starters, including two stakes winners.

#4 Camber is the potential value horse. Terry makes her the Longshot while Rich ranks her third based on second-race PARABILITY and breeding.

Race 8 – Female

1 1/16 Miles Turf – Closers – PP: Mostly Fair, 2/3 a Little Discount

Terry’s Picks

1st – #3 Defiant Lass – Ran 2nd vs similar in last race; Highest last race speed rating; Has a high % winning trainer and jockey.

2nd – #4 Calathea – Finished in the money in 6 races out of the last 7 starts, winning 4 races; Has a high % winning trainer and jockey.

3rd – #2 City Minute – Finished in the money in 3 races out of 3 starts at Gulfstream Park, winning 1 race; strong trainer/jockey stats.

Longshot:

#6 Simply Striking – Finished 3rd (on AW) in last race; Likes distance.

Alternates:

#7 Spicy Princess
#5 Lindsay Smiles

Terry’s Suggested Wagers

$20 Win: #3 Defiant Lass

$10 Exacta Box: 3/4

$10 Exacta: 3/2,4,6

$5 Exacta Box: 2,3,4

Rich’s Picks

1st – #3 DEFIANT LASS – TLRSP#+4 and Top TOTAL PACE of more than a length – Top PAR+

2nd – #4 CALATHEA – SIM FAV with the best C ZONE – just missed in her last – most upside

3rd – #2 CITY MINUTE – better in 2nd up and has the best turf breeding and it’s not close

4th – #7 SPICY PRINCESS – plenty of speed here and has a length LS edge

Race 8 Smart Sheets Takeaway

This is one of the strongest agreement races on today’s card.

Both Terry and Rich rank the horses exactly the same in their top three:

#3 Defiant Lass
#4 Calathea
#2 City Minute

That agreement makes #3 Defiant Lass especially interesting.

Rich’s Smart Sheets analysis gives Defiant Lass a TLRSP# +4, Top Total Pace by more than a length, and Top PAR+. Terry also makes her his strongest play of the day and builds his Race 8 wagers around her.

#4 Calathea is the primary danger. She’s the SIM Favorite, owns the best C-Zone, has finished in the money in six of her last seven starts, and has won four of those races.

#2 City Minute adds another strong contender with an undefeated in-the-money record at Gulfstream and what Rich identifies as clearly the best turf breeding in the field.

For players looking for a price to disrupt the obvious contenders, Rich points toward #7 Spicy Princess, who owns a one-length Late Speed edge.

Best Bet of the Day

Race 8 – #3 DEFIANT LASS

Terry’s Best Bet of the Day at Gulfstream Park is #3 Defiant Lass in Race 8.

There is plenty to like about this setup:

• Terry ranks her #1.
• Rich also ranks her #1.
• TLRSP# +4.
• Top Total Pace by more than a length.
• Top PAR+.
• Runner-up against similar company last time.
• Highest last-race speed rating.
• Strong trainer/jockey combination.

Terry isn’t simply picking Defiant Lass—he’s building the day’s primary wagering strategy around her.

Terry’s Best Bet Wagers

$20 Win – #3 Defiant Lass

$10 Exacta Box – 3/4

$10 Exacta – 3/2,4,6

$5 Exacta Box – 2,3,4

Mandatory Rainbow 6

The mandatory 20-cent Rainbow 6 begins in Race 3, with the pool estimated at $400,000.

Rich’s ticket:

$0.20 Rainbow Pick 6:
2,7,8 / 4,5 / 4 / 2,3 / 1,3 / 3,4

The key stand-alone horse is #4 Wheelhouse in Race 5, while the ticket finishes with Terry’s Best Bet #3 Defiant Lass and Rich’s second choice #4 Calathea in Race 8.

Five maiden races, the $100,000 In Summation Stakes, and a mandatory Rainbow 6 payout make this one of the more interesting Monday cards Gulfstream has offered.

Maiden Madness Monday could turn into Money Monday.

Good luck today, and we’ll see you in the winner’s circle!