Free Selections / Saturday / 3-30-2013

The price of poker is going up, and so are the points for the Kentucky Derby. The rewards get a bit sweeter, and the runners are in high gear as they chase the  100 – 40- 20 – 10 point values. One thing is for certain, everyone will have their “A” game on display. So, grab your E-Z Win Forms and get ready for the sprint to Louisville !

Gulfstream Park

Saturday the weatherman calls for sunny skies and high of 77 degrees.

Race #7 – Mdn Sp Wt – 1 1/16 on the turf – 3:24 p.m. ET

#2 – Forever Thing (5-2) = John Velasquez in the saddle for Todd Pletcher. They come to post with this son of Tapit. They paid $1,000,000 for this runner at the Fasig-Tipton sales. Last out, he broke a bit awkward and came rolling late. He gets an extra 16th of a mile to run, and the second time out should help in getting better acclimated.

Race #8 –  The (G-2) Gulfstream Oaks – 1 1/8 – 3:56 p.m. ET

#6 – Emollient (3-1) = Jose Lezcano up for Bill Mott. This gal looks to be as honest as the day is long. She runs her best every outing, and now she makes the second off the shelf move where Mott wins 18%. She was tested at 1 1/8 last November in New York, and that has to help her out building a solid foundation. She gets second time lasix, and take a look at the bullet work of 1:00.2 at Palm Meadows.

Race #9 – (G-3) Orchid Stakes – 1 1/2 on the turf – 4:29 p.m. ET

#7 – Aigue Marine (3-1) = Jose Lezcano up for Christophe Clement. With all of the runners seeking the front, I am liking the way she likes to get running late. She has faced the boys, and ran at every distance known to man in France. This daughter of Galileo is making her second start in 2013, and she is 1/1 at GP.  Lezcano is winning 20% with his turf mounts, and Clement is on-fire winning 23% with a last race win.

Race #10 – The (G-3) Skip Away Stakes – 1 3/16 – 5:03 p.m. ET

#3 – Golden Ticket (5-1) = Corey Lanerie in the driver’s seat for trainer Ken McPeek. This colt is 2/2 with wins at GP, and his last out against Mark Valeski was better than it looks. He was 3-wide on the turn, and just got ran down. They came right back to GP, and he has worked well. Check out that bullet on 3/23 in a crisp 59.3.

Race #11 – The (G-3) Appleton Stakes – one mile on the turf – 5:38 p.m. ET

#7 – Sliver Max (6-1) = Robby Albarado in the irons for Dale Romans. “Max” has some speed when need, and going the mile distance he can rate very close and make it tough on the others who want the hook. 3/3 ITM at GP, and his works have been red-hot with two straight bullets.

Race #12 – The (G-1) Florida Derby – 1 1/8 – 6:19 p.m. ET

This race should give us a better view of what to expect down the road. I feel there could be some excellent value to be had, and this is where you will want to examine all of the tier levels in your E-Z Win Forms for the big payoff.

#6 – Orb (3-1) = Johnny Velasquez gets the nod for Shug McGaughey. This son of Malibu Moon is 2/2 with wins at GP, and has gone the 1 1/8 two races back to score. He has matured nicely, and I think we will see bigger things coming very soon.

#2 – Pick of the Litter (6-1) = Jesus Castanon in the irons for Dale Romans. He just broke his maiden impressively, and Dale must think a great deal about him to try his luck here. There have been some very nice works over the track, and that last race has to get you to thinking big balloons.

#1 – Shanghai Bobby (5-2) = Rosie Napravnik up for Todd Pletcher. This guy has shown solid early foot, and makes his second start in 2013. They will have to catch this son of Harlan’s Holiday, and drawing the rail may work in his favor. Oh, did I mention  that Pletcher comes back at a 26% with beaten favorites.

The weather is suppose to be great, the under-card is super, and all you need is your E-Z Win Forms to make this day a winner ! – Best of luck, and as always. ” May your winners be many, and your photos be few.”