Gulfstream Park December 21st, 2024
Saturday at Gulfstream Park is the first day of the meet this far that has a Championship Meet feel to it. I’ll be taking a look at the stakes on the card and see what shakes out.
The Sugar Swirl has 7 horses set to go and Saffie Joseph trains 5 of them. I lean to one of the ones not trainer by Saffie. I like Socially Selective in this spot. It is a tough spot for a come back race as she has been off since February but she was good enough to win her debut at Saratoga and is 3 for 5 with 2 seconds. She will have to run her best to date but if Mott didn’t think she was moving forward i doubt we would see her here. I think she gets a nice trip and she has some good works over the deep Payson Park strip which should have her fit. This is a solid field but doesn’t have any “stars” and Socially Selective still has plenty of room to progress. I think she comes back running and is good enough to be a big player in this spot.
The Janus came up one tough and competitive turf sprint. At first look Yes I Am Free looks a cut below some of these but the trainer change and the gawdy record this old gelding has at Gulfstream and in the lifetime win column jump out at me. We know how Cox improves horses and these type of tough old geldings can really response to a sharp barn move. Nothing against the prior trainer but Cox is now in the Elite ranks and this guy looks dangerous.
In the Harlan’s Holiday Tumbarumba looks tough as nails and has the class, speed and anything else you need to win this. That’s said i do think he is better at one turn than two. While this is not the toughest field and that will help him at the two turn configuration i think Tuscan Sky can possibly upset him. He has the rail, Johnny V and Todd Pletcher alll working for him and he prefers two turns. He ran good in the come back race and has also bounced back from poor efforts in the past. If he needed that last one and moves forward off it which is likely he can down the favorite.
In the Fort Lauderde i like Grand Sonata. He is not the most consistente horse around but when in a running mood he can handle a field like this. He adds blinderà at this late stage in his career and maybe that will sharpen him up a bit or even insure he gives one of his better efforts. He likes this course and that always helps.
In the Suwannee River I am torn between Saffron Moon and the three year old filly from France Ribaltaigaia and I think I’ll take the newcomer. This is am interesting spot for her to show up and she head her own in good company in France.
Enjoy the races and the best of holidays to all of you and yours!
