Gulfstream Park Picks: Beginning of major week of racing, March 2

The Gulfstream Park Championship Meet rides into March in fine style! With the addition of Tapeta, plus the MT and Turf Course, it gives bettors a myriad of options!

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, including all of the action related to the Derby Trail! The South Florida Series turns its attention to Saturday's Grade 2 running of the Fountain of Youth Stakes. A $400k contest, it has KYD148 Points ready to be distributed ... 50-20-10-5 ... to those that finish 1st through 4th. We will have a complete rundown of this 2nd leg of the Sunshine State Derby Trail out soon! 

It is a good time for some of the greatest racing that North America 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. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter ... Horseracing_USA !!!

Most Likely Winner: (Race 4: In the Union #5, 7/2):

Todd Pletcher has a particularly strong record at Gulfstream Park this time of year, and when he enters an uncoupled entry, I always like to look at the higher-priced, M/L runner. This colt by Union Rags is a well-bred 3-yr-old, and we know Shadwell Farm is a powerhouse when it comes to their processes. The Mathis Stable expects great things from this one, and Pletcher sent him to Tampa for his 1st pair of races. The last one on 30 January was a similar OC75k, and it had Emmanuel drawn-in. That’s another budding talent of Pletcher’s (entered in Saturday’s G2 Fountain of Youth S. @GP), and I like the fact they competed against one another. Adding Tyler Gaffalione to the mix in this deeper route is a plus, and I think stretching this one out is a superb idea. The colt is rounding into shape, and so is the HOF-er’s record during the Meet.

Wager: $100 Win, #5

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 2: Mandate #4, 6/1):

Here is a seriously classy runner for trainer Yvon Belsoeur that has some major potential to win in a spot like this one. For most of 2021, this son of Blame was competing for Wayne Potts on the Belmont-SPA circuit in Clm25k open company. He did not have any wins to show for it, but routing against the likes of tough foes like Soulmate, Smile Bryan, and Clear Vision cannot be easy. The ownership then switched to Rob Johnston, and all he did was win with the then 4-yr-old. The capstone over 2 races was a quality score in the Artie Schiller $150k at odds of 45/1. Now in the keep of Belsoeur, the gelding is dropping out of the McKnight (G3), which was an extreme distance and class test at 1½. Coming back to the ALLW25k racing is the proper move, and tabbing Jose Ortiz to ride … that’s a deal. I am hoping we can get 6/1! Bet this one …

Wager: Graduated Wager, WPS, $100 Bankroll, #4 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 7: Dirt, 6½, ALLW54k, 3 FL Breds):

This Florida bred sprint for 3-yr-olds is going to be quite a frenzy, as there is a fair amount of speed signed on in here. When it comes to a top selection, I am pretty keen on Rohan Crichton’s Yes I’m a Beast #8. Off-the-claim, this one is a beast, and comes to his new trainer with a 3-race win streak. I don’t see why this gelding by The Big Beast cannot keep that going here. He gets Luis Saez, an expert rider, and Crichton’s numbers in spots like these are solid. His early speed is a weapon, as he breaks from that outside post. In 9 lifetime events, he has not dipped his hoof into state co. … I think his main rival will certainly be Ed Plesa’s Klugman #3. Here is a frontend burner that just smoked his competition in a state bred MSW53k back on 11 February. Rafael Hernandez just pointed him out of the gate, and the son of Practical Joke … he went. Winning by 13-lengths is not easy to do, and neither is posting a speed fig. like he did. But I question whether he can replicate that performance, even though the jockey-trainer angle here is strong. I want to use him … I also like the look of Juan Alvarado’s Clapton #4, a colt by Brethren that has deep experience in Gulfstream races like this one. Sure, he has had mixed results, but I don’t see why this one couldn’t at the very least hit-the-board. Let’s use all 3 of these sprinters because this could be anyone’s game. Should be a fun one …

Wager: Trifecta Box, $2, 3/4/8

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Enjoy another fab Wednesday trackside for the Championship Meet! Best of luck on another run at Gulfstream Park! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter … Horseracing_USA !!!