Enthusiastic, Gulfstream Park analyst Claudia Spadaro joins the crew and shares her in person observations of KNICKS GO and LIFE IS GOOD on the eve of their match up in the Pegasus Invitational.
Gulfstream Park Horse Racing Picks and Analysis
Terry “Hollywood” Hay’s Handicapping
Gulfstream Park Race 10 – $150,000 FRED W HOOPER STAKES – GRADE III
1 – Fearless won his last race at Gulfstream and finished in the money in all five of his 2021 races winning two of them. He will be coming from behind to pick up the pieces.
6 – Liam won his last race easily at Gulfstream after a 3-month break – The trainer Todd Pletcher is winning at 42% clip at this meet. – The Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. is winning at 29% clip at this meet. He will probably go out with Speaker’s Corner to try and lead all the way and try to win the race.
8 – Speaker’s Corner ran 2nd in last race at 1-1/8 miles and now shortens to a mile which should help – His best dirt speed is fastest among today’s starters – Sharp 4F workout on 23Jan Pay 4f ft :49 B 3/58
4 – Officiating won his last race at Gulfstream Park – He has finished in the money in nine out of fourteen races winning three. This is another entry who be closing at the end.
Gulfstream Park Race 11 – $1 M PEGASUS TURF INVITATIONAL – GRADE I
12 – Never Surprised has won two races in a row easily and has won four out of seven starts during his career. The Jockey Luis Saez is winning at 25% clip at this meet. He loves the turf and getting the lead which, he could go all the way to win.
6 – Colonel Liam is two for two at Gulfstream and at today’s distance – Trainer Todd Pletcher in the last 14 days has won 40% of the races that he had an entry in. Has been off for seven months but has some good workouts in preparation for this race.
9 – Field Pass won his last race at Del Mar in November 2021. He likes the track and the distance; he has the highest speed figure at today’s distance.
8 – Sacred Life ran second to Field Pass only losing by a head. He has high % trainer Chad Brown and Jose Ortiz is in the irons.
Gulfstream Park Race 12 – $3 M PEGASUS INVITATIONAL – GRADE I
1 – Knicks Go has won four races in a row at four different tracks. He has the highest speed figure at today’s distance and his best dirt speed is fastest among today’s starters. He has a Sharp 5F workout on 23Jan FG 5f ft 1:00.2 B 1/58.
4 – Life Is Good is only a neck from winning all his career starts and the race comment indicates he only lost the one race because of Overconfident handling. He will probably go to the front with Knicks Go and they may set a blistering pace.
6 – Sir Winston closes to win races and did so to win his last race at Woodbine. If Knicks Go and Life Is Good sets to fast of a pace Sir Winston may upset the apple cart by closing to win the race.
8 – Endorsed ran second at Gulfstream Park at 7-Furlongs stretches out to a 1-1/8. Just like Sir Winston he could upset the apple cart by closing to try and win the race.
$1.00 Pick 3-Cost: $32.00
Race 5: 1, 4, 6, 8
Race 6: 6, 8, 9, 12
Race 7: 6, 8
10th Race
– $1 exacta 1, 4, 6, 8 – $1 Trifecta 6, 7, 10, 11 – Total Bet $24.00
13th Race
– $1 exacta 6, 8, 9, 12 – $1 Trifecta 6, 7, 10, 11 – Total Bet $24.00
14th Race
– $10 exacta – 1/ 6, 8 – $20.00
Swiss Army Shawn’s Selections
Gulfstream Park Race 10 – $150,000 FRED W HOOPER STAKES – GRADE III
PACE PROJECTION: The #8 Speakers Corner is your most likely pace setter. The #6 Liam and #9 Girolamo’s Attack will apply the pressure and also try for the lead.
#1 Fearless– It’s his third race back after a 6-month layoff. Loves Gulfstream Park winning 4 of 5 with a 2nd. Has some early speed to stay close but also has really good late pace numbers. Luis Saez has ridden him 2 other times 1st start of his career and his last race, and both were victories.
#8 Speaker’s Corner– Going to be really tough. Has scored a triple Beyer number in 3 of his last 4 races. Has been off for 2 months but workouts have been really good. The concern taking him at a short pace is there is other speed in here that could give him problems. I also don’t like that he has never raced at Gulfstream.
#9 Girolamo’s Attack– This horse beat my top pick two races back. After that race came back on only 2 weeks rest was the favorite and had a bad break and stood no chance. The horse is jumping in class but since he already beat the 2nd choice in this field, he offers a lot of value here. I would like him a lot more if Edgar Zayas wasn’t injured and he was aboard.
Plays: $22 win #1 $1 EXBKEY 9/1,8 $1 Tri 1,8,9
Gulfstream Park Race 11 – $1 M PEGASUS TURF INVITATIONAL – GRADE I
PACE PROJECTION: There are a handful of horses in here who wants the lead out of the gate. The one I think gets it and wants it the most is the outside horse #12 Never Surprised. I’m not how much he will have at the end since it will be not easy to get in front.
#5 Hit the Road – Has had 5 consecutive races with a Beyer number at or above 99. Plenty of pace in here to give me a good set up. Has been off for almost 4 months. The trainer hits at 21 % with layoffs like this. I like that Tyler Gaffalione gets on for the first time.
#8 Sacred Life – Likes to come from way out of it so needs a fast pace which I think there will be a wicked fast pace in this race. Has finished in the exacta in 15 of 22 times and you would have to think as long as there are no traffic troubles he will be there again.
#6 Colonel Liam – Not crazy about the 8-month layoff and that’s the reason I won’t take this horse on top at the short price however it’s the classiest horse in the field. It will be another that will benefit from the really fast pace. This horse is a perfect 5 for 5 when Irad Ortiz Jr. is aboard and only 1 for 4 with everybody else.
Plays: $22 win #5 $1 Exbox 5,6,8 $1 Tri 5,6,8
Gulfstream Park Race 12 – $3 M PEGASUS INVITATIONAL – GRADE I
PACE PROJECTION: This sets up to be a tremendous speed duel from the opening of the gate between #1 Knicks Go and #4 Life Is good. Neither one has ever won off the pace. Does that change, does one get away, or do they battle the race falls apart and a long shot win? Tons of possibilities here all depending on what happens from the break.
#6 Sir Winston – Had to pick a horse that I thought would take advantage of the crazy pace that is going to happen here so landed with the #6 Sir Winston. This horse went over to Woodbine and really found himself again winning two and getting second in another 2 races. Tries Gulfstream for the first time and gets Edwin Gonzalez who has made a name for himself and could really but himself on the map with a win like this.
#1 Knicks Go – If one of the 2 stars of the show does get away and wire the field it will be the more experienced horse. This horse has been incredible winning 4 in a row and 8 out of 10. They were all big-time races and big-time performances. Joel Rosario has been the jockey for that whole 10 race stretch.
#3 Stilleto Boy – Another that could win at a huge price if the two favorites hook up all the way around. Could be closer to the pace then some of the other closers so could get first run. Has finished in the exotics at a big price before.
Plays: $20 win #6 $1 Exbox 1,3,6 $1 Tribox 1,3,6
22 to 1 Tom’s Tips
Gulfstream Park Race 10 – $150,000 FRED W HOOPER STAKES – GRADE III
1 – Fearless
Nice race last out winning being 3 wide at times and didn’t have to do too much to finish strong, grade 3 races at Gulfstream
Winner at Gulfstream at 1 mile in the grade 2 Gulfstream Mile last February
Only 2 starts this year and 11 starts in career
One Jan work of note – 1:00.1 B on Jan 14 then a maintenance work next time out
If he runs back to last race, he’s an easy winner
8 – Speaker’s Corner
Ran at AQU last out with a from running race and beat by 1/2L at the end
The race before was his best. At Belmont at 1 1/16 in OC winner by 6+L
Stinker in PA Derby vs Hot Rod Charlie but this was 2 turns for the first time – toss
Will try for the lead but he may have to sit behind my top choice
This is a good test because position in the race will be to success
3 – Bon Raison
Crap race last out at CD beaten badly by 23L
Add blinkers for this race
Race before at Keeneland was better but more distance maybe his game around 1 turn
Excellent works for his return – :59B, :47.4B and :47.4B
7 year old who’s won 11 times
With those works and blinkers, he has a change to get a piece here
Gulfstream Park Race 11 – $1 M PEGASUS TURF INVITATIONAL – GRADE I
12 – Never Surprised
Speed from Post 12 is going to be interesting (Channel Cat on the lead)
Never out of the money in all 7 races
Finished second in its three attempts at grade stakes company
He has the advantage that he has been racing vs many in this field coming off layoffs
With the limited number of races run, he appears to have a lot of upside today and in the future
7 – Doswell
A wire-to-wire victory last out in grade 2 company, the form doesn’t have the fractions on the race?
At the distance on turf from 2 starts, he has a win and second (the dirt try doesn’t count)
All starts at Gulfstream, he’s been in the money
Another very lightly raced horse with 12 starts and he’s 7 yr.
Like many in this field, he wants the lead so it’s going to be interesting up front going in to the first turn
5 – Hit the Road
Lost by 1/2 L last out at Santa Anita at 1 mile
Layoff with 2 works on the turf :58.2H they back off on him in he’s prep for this race
Could be right off the frontrunners or could be further back with one run at the end
Jockey switch to top jockey – Tyler Gaffalione
My question is distance and around 2 turns, he’s a miler but this tight course may set him up for a win?
Gulfstream Park Race 12 – $3 M PEGASUS INVITATIONAL – GRADE I
1 – Knicks Go
Wire to wire in Breeder’s Cup
Won all his last 4 races after some adventures
Only really bad race was in the Saudi Cup which wasn’t a huge surprise try to handle the heavy, sand courses. The winner likes heavy group on turf and beaten some of the best in Europe
Met Mile was as race where he was too wide on the course and didn’t finish, really was never in the race and trip to Saudi Arabia may have taken a lot out of him
Works indicate readiness and with the 1 post will be gunning for the lead and shortest trip around
5 – Empty Tomb
2 nice races with a strong run in OC80k race (win) and a good second in the Discovery handicap.
Also like the lead, so who’s horse will be up front? Knick Go or Life Is Good?
6-year-old with 24 starts had his best runs last year
In form and ready to do battle at top level
4 – Life is Good
In 6 race his career, his worst finish is 2nd and battle down to the wire vs a sprinter who 7F and shorter have been his best distances
Excellent Breeder’s Cup Mile race and sped away from contenders in the race
Speed, Speed and more Speed and will give Knicks Go all he can handle
Rich’s Ranks
Gulfstream Park Race 10 – $150,000 FRED W HOOPER STAKES – GRADE III
1 – Fearless
6 – Liam
8 – Speaker’s Corner
5 – Shivaree
Gulfstream Park Race 11 – $1 M PEGASUS TURF INVITATIONAL – GRADE I
6 – Colonel Liam
12 – Never Surprised
9 – Field Pass
7 – Doswell
Gulfstream Park Race 12 – $3 M PEGASUS INVITATIONAL – GRADE I
1 – Knicks Go
4 – Life Is Good
8 – Endorsed
5 – Empty Tomb
