Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs.
Friday’s tips courtesy of Winning Form and Neil Morrice:
Sunshine Coast
Geelong
Moulins
Casino
Gulfstream Park Best Bets
Race 1 (Maiden Claiming: No6 – CACTUS KITTEN
Trainer: Mike Maker – Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr
The beautifully-bred CACTUS KITTEN can make a bold fist of taking this out on her debut. A daughter of Kitten’s Joy and the Hard Spun mare Arana has pleased in her workouts and enjoys a favourable slot in the gate for the 16-runner contest. There’s not much in the way of solid form in the race, a factor that adds confidence that the selection can overcome her inexperience and show them a clean pair of hooves. Smartizar and Subtle Joy are the ones that could cause her problems.
Prediction: 6-4-11
Race 4 (Starter Optional Claiming): No4 – BIRD MAP
Trainer: Saffie Joseph – Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr
On just her fourth start at Gulfstream, BIRD MAP can make up for a recent defeat at this level on what was her first start for the Joseph stable. The daughter of Liam’s Map had shown her liking for the course with a win for Mark Casse on her previous outing and looks the safest option here. Hurricane Breeze debuts for Mike Maker coming back off a near five months break after breaking her maiden here in the New Year. She has a chance but Toffen is feared more, having done well with a claiming win and second in an optional claimer since joining her trainer.
Prediction: 4-1-2
Race 8 (Allowance Optional Claiming): No7 – FLORA FANTASY
Trainer: Jorge Delgado – Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr
In a clash of older distaffers FLORA FANTASY can extend her impressive winning sequence. She’s enjoyed a bountiful spring sweeping up three AOCs for different trainers and is unbeaten for Ortiz. She’s landed some good bets on each occasion and should be followed until meeting her match. Sayonara Baby has been one of the roughies in two recent starts here with Edgard Zayas on top. But she almost pulled off a shock against the main pick last time and can again chase her shadow under the wire. Jeana’s Gem looks like she might be improving, and at a longer price needs to go in.
Prediction: 7-3-2
Race 9 (Starter Optional Claiming): No11 – SWIRLING CANDY
Trainer: Jose Angelo – Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr
First-time blinkers can assist SWIRLING CANDY to get past prolific winner Poseidon’s Passion in this competitive race on the sprint track. Aside from her debut at Saratoga, the selection has attracted notable support and started favourite on all four starts at this track, winning twice. She debuts for Angelo with the wherewithal to take the step up the ladder she requires, with Ortiz aboard for the first time. Poseidon’s Passion is well equipped to make a race of it after her two AOC successes in FLA this year. However the main speed is outside, and Bibiana looks a likely candidate to try to match it with Twirling Candy in the early stages.
Prediction: 11-2-14
Tampa Bay Downs Best Bets
Race 2 (Maiden Claiming): No4 – HONESTA
Trainer: Jose Delgado – Jockey: Tomas Mejia
Perennial bridesmaid HONESTA has a great chance of ending a frustrating run that’s seen her go 222. What adds insult to injury is that she seems to have improved for her move to this barn and track off the claim, but run into a couple of tartars in Magdalena and Lady Jordan. There’s nothing wrong with the form, however, and she gets the vote over Dreaming Of Paris. The last-named filly proved a costly failure in first-time blinkers here earlier in the month but is definitely inching closer to a win. Splendor Beach has a knack of getting into the money, which she should achieve again.
Prediction: 4-11-2
Race 6 (Allowance Optional Claiming): No1 – DANZING DUNHILL
Trainer: George Weaver – Jockey: Antonio Gallardo
As he’s shown his liking for returning from a break, DANZING DUNHILL is in a good spot to take this out and make it three wins from four starts for his trainer this year. He’d been off for a couple of months when opening his account at Gulfstream in January and in two other outings there added a second and another win. Having been rested he should have all guns blazing for his clash with Summer Assault. Since surprising many on his first outing, the latter has been rolled at odds-on twice subsequently. It could, therefore, be left to Matty’s Express to stage a revival, after having his winning sequence halted last time.
Prediction: 1-8-3
Race 7 (Handicap): No2 – PROPOSITION
Trainer: Michael Stidham – Jockey: Antonio Gallardo
Several fillies go into this with solid recent form behind them but PROPOSITION can have their measure. She’s a dual winner on the dirt track here and has scope for improvement from her defeat in an AOC last time. She’s drawn to enjoy a good run on the inner where Ali’s Cat might keep the selection company following her allowance success on May Day. My Girl Annie should also be competitive from the rail, and this industrious individual isn’t without a shot at making it a fourth win on seventh start this year.
Prediction: 2-1-5
