Gulfstream 2012-13

Thursday February 7

Two - for - Six:  A "Workman-Like" Day

It wasn't anything spectacular, but it was another day of grinding out winners today.  In the opener I had the 4/5 favorite and he was well back as they hit the far turn.  Figured he would accelerate to run down the top four, all longshots......nope, never fired.  My next selection was a double investment in a bottom-level claiming event.  The field was a woeful 1-for-26 at Gulfstream, so the fact that #7-Starship Valor had a local record of 9/2-1-3, including a very emphatic score at this level and distance last time out as the 4/5 favorite made him stick out like a sore thumb.  I wasn't a fan that he'd been taken AWAY from trainer Jamie Ness, but his new trainer Michael Pino was a solid 27% first off the claim.  It was also encouraging that jockey Javier Castellano did not jump ship and was riding back today.  Starship Valor stalked the leaders early and drew off as he pleased under a confident hand ride through the lane!  

In the 6th I doubled the investment, as is my practice, on the Todd Pletcher runner.  Didn't figure to be the favorite, but you can't guess with Pletcher runners.  An even 6th at 9/2.  Missed again in the 7th when Gunman failed to run his race on the turf at 3/1.  I won the 9th, the "feature" on the day in a non-winners of 3 other-than optional allowance spot.  It was a mile on the turf and #4-Pianist was being sent out by top young trainer Chad Brown.  She had as good a turf record as anyone, but she was a perfect 3-for-3 at the one mile distance.  In retrospect I should have invested more here and less in a couple other spots.  When they turned for home she accelerated and was easily best.  

In the finale I had another Todd Pletcher price horse.  I thought Jakesam would sit just off the pace behind some longshot (s) and if he'd run like a Pletcher runner could pounce and score the upset.  Everything went according to plan, and at 7/1 he made his move into the lane.....only to be swallowed up by the top choices who were hitting their best stride.  So, for the day I was 2-for-6, a solid 33%.  I have a "Prime Time" pick tomorrow and then Saturday is one of the biggest days of the winter, Donn Handicap Day!