Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Gulfstream Park and Angers.
Other international racing tips for Thursday:
Longchamp
Belmont
Cairns
Hamilton
Wyong
Neil Morrice Tips
Gulfstream Park Best Bets
Race 6 (Maiden Special Weight): No11 – THANKFUL
Trainer: Todd Pletcher – Jockey: Luis Saez
The beautifully-bred THANKFUL (by American Pharoah out of the Cat Thief mare Beholden) can upset whichever the Christophe Clement barn fields in a fascinating contest. The $625,000 yearling has impressed in her workouts and is posted close to her main rivals. Fresco will surely improve a bundle off her promising introduction behind Lucky Polly here and rates the better of her barn’s two entries, although Flashing Red hasn’t done much wrong coming into this and will be winning soon. Should one of the Clement pair scratch So Darn Hot is the one to add, having shown ability on debut here.
Prediction: 11-10-15
Race 7 (Starter Optional Claiming): No7 – VALID QUEST
Trainer: Mike Maker – Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr
If VALID QUEST can transfer his solid Aqueduct form to FLA he will soon be earning and this looks a good opportunity straight off the bat. He’s been through the claim a couple of times but remains with a top handler in Maker, and is worth risking regardless of his inexperience at this different track. Maserati Man has defied his hefty odds with a couple of frame finishes over track and trip the last two times but now needs to step up. Beyond Gone has popped two claimers here from three outings through April but also needs to raise his game if he’s to go in again.
Prediction: 7-6-1
Race 8 (Claiming): No7 – NAPA RULES
Trainer: Joe Orseno – Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr
If she can prove as capable over this six furlongs as the five at which she delivered a first triumph for her trainer on Sunday, and show no ill effects from those exertions, then NAPA RULES has a good shot at following up for leading connections. Don’t Get Khozy took eight tries before delivering at this track but now in the zone is a must include in exotics. At longer odds, Midnight Gem can again show her consistency and should progress from a satisfactory first run for her trainer.
Prediction: 7-3-9
Race 9 (Allowance Optional Claiming): No2 – DAY BY DAY
Trainer: Jorge Delgado – Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr
Having looked right in her comfort zone in four of these for her trainer, DAY BY DAY nevertheless needs to recoup some of the losses sustained on her near-misses at 5-4, 4-5, and 6-4 on her last three starts. She should find a return to six furlongs a blessing, while main rival Violent Times comes out as pretty much the same force albeit having divided her time between New York and this track in the main. Her trainer sent out three winners from just four runners in the past fortnight, which adds lustre to her chance. One to pep up the exotic dividends could be Gray Owl, winner of an AOC at Tampa two starts back, and by no means out of it.
Prediction: 2-4-6
Angers Best Bets
Race 2: No6 – VALENTIN ROSE
Trainer: T Bearain – Jockey: Sourdeau Beauregard
Many in this race over French hurdles have claims, but for value the call is VALENTIN ROSE. The chestnut brings recent Auteuil form to the table and the way he’s been finishing his races suggests a move up in distance should be welcomed. He also ran well on his only start at this course when placed in a 16-runner field back in February. Donne Le Change has to be respected courtesy of two wins from his last three attempts, although he’s switching from chasing to these slightly smaller obstacles. But a bigger threat might be Lady De Roche, who won over fences here when last seen three months ago.
Prediction: 6-10-1
Race 3: No9 – KAZAROV
Trainer: F Nicolle – Jockey: B Dubourg
This stable is double-handed in the race, but KAZAROV looks by far the stronger by way of some cracking stats before going into enforced isolation. A winner at Dieppe, he then endured some training issues, but has come back as good as new and should relish the return to fences. Twist De La Barre is lightly-raced and his two outings here give connections hope that he can gain a second career win. He went close last time, signalling he’s ready for a breakthrough. One that knows how to get into the money is Elisa Des Obeaux who should also be included.
Prediction: 9-5-11
Race 8: No15 – TRES BELAFFAIR
Trainer: N Leenders – Jockey: A Bourgeais
Bringing placed form at Grade 1 tracks to the table makes TRES BELAFFAIR a player in this competitive handicap. That happened at Deauville in late December and Chantilly before the lockdown at the end of February. The six-year-old receives minimal weight from his foes as this is a compressed handicap, but nevertheless, his claims outweigh his double-figure price. No Niki No is another to be interested in. She broke her maiden two starts back before finishing just out of the money on handicap debut. She is drawn close to the main pick, which might prove another advantage. Top weight Azer comes back from jumping but is more than capable of getting something out of this.
Prediction: 15-11-1
Race 9: No15 – MADULAIN
Trainer: B Legros – Jockey: A Herve
Claimed out of a top stable after scoring at Chantilly well over a year ago, MADULAIN can have a say in this if ready after that protracted absence. She bolted up on that occasion and is bred to enjoy any softening of the ground, should that occur. Linngario showed improved form in the provinces last autumn and will be on the premises if in similar mood, while Giloulou gamely prevailed in a handicap at Pau and has a profile etched with consistency.
Prediction: 15-9-5
