Gulfstream Park Picks: Bill Mott's Applecross Off-the-Bench December 29

The Gulfstream Park Championship Meet is heading towards 2022. Their Tapeta track is causing quite a stir. Is this the same Gulfstream as before? We shall see, once all the "handle numbers" come flowing in ...

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, including all of the action related to the Derby Trail! With the Holy Bull, Fountain of Youth, and the Florida Derby, it is going to be another excellent Florida Series @GP! It is a good time for some of the best that North American racing has to offer. Stay tuned! 

If you're looking for picks elsewhere around the country this Wednesday be sure to check out our free Horse Racing Picks via the gold button below.

Most Likely Winner: (Race 4: North Carolina #6, 9/5):

The spirit of trainer Barclay Tagg is alive and well … no chance he looks like he is retiring. On this Wednesday card he sends his accomplished 4-yr-old gelding by Speightstown to the turf at Gulfstream for the 1st time. After running at all 3 NYRA tracks since coming over from Shug McGaughey’s outfit, he just missed at Belmont and Aqueduct. That last race was a deep route (by American standards), and he lost the lead in the deep stretch. Hopefully, new jockey Luis Saez (who is riding exceedingly well) will get the tiger by the tail. Nothing like a runner who likes to control the pace upfront … Bet this one …

Wager: $100 Win, #6

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 6: Churchills Victory #3, 15/1):

Switching to the Tapeta track at Gulfstream, I think I found a gem with this router that is trained by Happy Alter. Bred by now-deceased super turf sire English Channel, this 5-yr-old is going to appreciate the class drop. Hector Berrios has some ability in the saddle, and I like the fact that this one will be viewed as an utter failure since he finished 47 lengths back in his last race @GP in November. He is a much better runner than bettors might think, and at 15/1, that is a nice price for sure. The Alter Barn does not have an expansive stable, but maybe this one has what it takes to get them their 1st win of the Meet.

Wager: Graduated Wager, WPS, $100 Bankroll, #3 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 9: Turf, 1 Mile, OC25k, F&M 3+):

If there is a “feature” on this Wednesday card at Gulfstream then it might be this one on the grass. The best news is that there is not a consensus “favorite” as far as I can tell. That should give us options. I am pretty interested in Bill Mott’s entry, because let’s face it … it’s Bill Mott, a HOF conditioner. Applecross #9 is a filly by Sir Prancealot (IRE) that used to be in the keep of Richard Baltas out in SoCal. After being switched to her new outfit back in April, she finally gets the chance to strut her stuff. Junior Alvarado gets the call, and he inherits a mount that once flashed some ability out West. Let’s use her on this debut, but I also like some others in here that can assist in rounding out the ticket. For instance, how about Saffie Joseph’s Tik Tok Famous #7? This younger filly continues to be consistent, and I like the continued use of the services of Tyler Gaffalione. Thinking about another pair, I like both Carlos David’s Centsless Drama #6 and Brendan Walsh’s Magna Mater #3. Both offer turf experience, and could offer us some prices underneath, depending on how the betting goes. I really enjoy watching Julien Leparoux when he gets aboard a runner (in this case #3) that is making only its 2nd US start. Should be a fun one to wager and watch!

Wager: Superfecta Wheel, $2, 9 w 3/6/7 w 3/6/7 w 3/6/7

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Enjoy another fab Wednesday trackside for the Championship Meet! Best of luck on another run at Gulfstream Park!