Mother Nature is back to her old tricks. We have sun, snow, and everything in between this weekend. So, with that in mind I am taking a handicapper’s vacation to Hallandale, Florida for some great racing.  Here are some runners to watch, and if you examine your E-Z Win Forms closely. I’ll bet dollars to donuts you’ll find some red-hot prices to make your day all sunshine and beach drinks.

Race #2 – Mdn Claiming $50,000 – 6f – 1:13 p.m. ET

#1 – Rosie My Way (10-1) = Manny Cruz up for Joe Orseno. Ran against the same types last out, and draws the rail going 3rd off the layoff. The mdn $50,000 game has allowed her to get close twice. Today may be the answer at a price.

Race #3 – Claiming $10,000 – 7f – 1:41 p.m. ET

#6 – Parasol (8-5) = Gabe Saez in the saddle for Luis Ramirez (21%). She goes from turf to dirt, and the barn wins 39% on this move. Here may be the magic potion. When Ramirez drops his runners down two classes, they come back to win 86 %….

Race #4 – Claiming $25,000 – 1 1/16 on the turf – 2:09 p.m. ET

#10 – Blazen  (6-1) = Luis Saez has the call for Joe Saffie (24%). This runner is 5/9 ITM at Gulfstream, and cuts back in distance from 1 1/8 to 1 1/16 on the weeds. His dam has 6 starters with 5 winners, and three of which were turf runners.

Race #5 – O.C. $75,000 – 6 1/2f – 2:37 p.m. ET

#9 – Little Distorted (5-2) = Joel Rosario aboard for Darrin Miller. This son of Distorted Humor is Triple Crown nominated, and this middle distance may be the key. 2nd off the layoff, and been working well at Palm Meadows. Rosario may be the man this year, and he is getting some very good mounts along the way.

Race #7 – O.C. $75,000 – 1/16 on the turf – 3:33 p.m. ET

#5 – Jack Milton (3-1) = John Velasquez aboard for Todd Pletcher, and this son of War Front is TC nominated. He tracked nicely in a mdn win, and Pletcher has a nice runner to work with. His dam had 8 starters with 7 winners, and 4 of which loved the turf. Be sure to box him up with: #8 – Newfound Zapper, and #4 – Play It Loud.

Race #8 – G-1 The Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap – 1 1/8 on the turf – 4:01 p.m. ET

This has been the long awaited return of Animal Kingdom, and the Motion barn is really high on his chances. I like him, but I am going to give him one before dropping the hammer.

#2 – Point of Entry (9-5) = John Velasquez up for Shug McGaughey. If you watched his last effort in the BC Turf, you saw a bad second effort. He has much more to give, and they fire fresh off the shelf. He has been vacationing at Palm Meadows, and cuts back in distance. The compact field has one speedster, but he can close into slow fractions. If you get 9-5, bet early and often…

Race #9 -G-3 Gulfstream Park Sprint 7f – 4:29 p.m. ET   **** BEGINS THE P-4 ****

#2 – Travelin Man (5-2) = Johnny V and Pletcher hookup with this horse-for-the-course who is 5/5 ITM at GP. The combo has been hot these past weeks, and the runner can take the lead or lay just off the pace.

#4 – Close It Out (6-1) = Manny Cruz gets the call, and this guy makes his second off the layoff. 5/8 ITM at GP, and runs a closing effort every time.

#5 – Fort Louden (4-1) = Jose Lezcano and Nick Zito go to post together. He ran a big effort against Ron the Greek, and cuts back in distance from 1 1/8 to 7 panels. If the pace comes up hot, he may get there at a square price.

Race #10 – G-3 Suwanee River – 1 1/8 on the turf – 4:59 p.m. ET

#2 – Leading Astray (4-1) = Jose Lezcano for the “Chicago-mad-man” Chris Block. Team Block wins 20% with turfers, and was a beaten favorite last out. Block does good work on the weeds, and Lezcano knows his turf runners.

#5 -Channel Lady (5-2) = Javier Castellano and Pletcher bring thier show to town, and this daughter of English Channel looks to enjoy Florida going 2/2 ITM. Strong middle mover, and should be tough.

#8 – Abaco (8-1) = Johnny V in the saddle for Pletcher. Team Pletcher never fails to bring the heat, and this runner at 8-1 is real value. 8/9 ITM on the green, and is honest as the day is long.

Race #11 – G-1 Donn Handicap – 1 1/8 – 5:32 p.m. ET

#1 – Bourbon Courage (8-1) = Javier Castellano for Kellyn Gorder. Draws the rail, and has been facing some of the tough guys. Love the price, and Gorder has been on fire in Kentucky.

#7 – Csaba (4-1) = Luis Saez gets the nod, and this colt can be a front end factor who loves the distance.

#2 – Flat Out (3-1) = Joel Rosario in the irons for Bill Mott. Rosario may be the new money man for 2013, and being up for Mott is a plus. He should close, and Mott gets them ready. Oh, did I mention that Rosario is rolling this year ?

Race #12 – Mdn Sp Wt – 1 1/16 on the turf – 5:59 p.m. ET

#1 – Gentleman’s Honor (12-1)

#2 – Kid Lightning (5-1)

#12 – Leader Avenue (10-1)

#6 – Handsome Tiger (6-1)

Ticket cost = 3 X 3 X 3 X 4 = $108 for a $1 ticket, and $54 for a 50-cent version.

Each weekend will have some great races all the way to Churchill. New York may be on the shelf  this weekend. Be sure to get your E-Z Win Forms early to get the jump on the Florida action, and as always. May your winners be many, and your photos be few ! – Good luck !!