SUNSET SIX – 1/2/2026
LEG A, RACE 7 – GULFSTREAM PARK
SELECTIONS: 7-2-4-5
The sequence with a carryover begins with a solid Florida-bred N1X and there’s a major pace edge in here for #7 START MO UP. I’ll take the bait and try this son of Mo Town who showed immediate improvement upon being moved to the weeds for small-time trainer Joe Lejzerowicz. He now moves to the Tapeta, which can yield a major edge to free wheeling speed types when left alone. Let’s try to start the sequence with a bang!
LEG B, RACE 8 – GULFSTREAM PARK
SELECTIONS: 7-4-6-5
The featured event on the Friday card is this first-level allowance for newly turned 3Yos. Two of the more impressive Kentucky maiden winners from the last three months of the year were #4 CONFESSIONAL and #7 MOB. The latter wired the field on debut in an eye catching performance while the former sat just off the pace and scored an upset at 12-1 for a barn whose horses rarely reach double digit odds. The pace belongs to Mob so we’ll see if he runs the same race or better today. Trainer Brian Lynch has been on an absolute tear over the last few months and that run shows no signs of stopping now.
LEG C, RACE 9 – GULFSTREAM PARK
SELECTIONS: 5-8-7-6
The nightcap is a skull-buster for maiden claimers on the lawn and #5 LITTLE GUSSIE is hardly a trustworthy favorite. She was a good 3rd last out on Tapeta and now changes surfaces for David Fawkes. Her late closing style should be set up well in here with the sheer number of horses stretching out in distance. There are alternatives, including #8 WHY, who was 2nd last out at this level and should be within range from the start in here. Turf is a new horizon for her, but she clearly has ability and jumped up with an improved effort off the claim. Use as many as you can afford, especially considering we’re basically starting 2×2.
LEG D, RACE 9 – SANTA ANITA PARK
SELECTIONS: 9-1-7-5
How much can you trust #9 RED FLAG in here? He made a big off the pace move last time out at Del Mar on BC weekend when no one was coming from the back of the pack. He now goes first off a claim by Jeff Mullins and should get a decent setup to boot. The presence of Umberto Rispoli, who has been on board for numerous victories, is a good thing and this was a re-claim after all. I’ll use #1 SIMPLE SONG as well just because we don’t really know how good he is at this point. His two prior starts have been solid and he is the main speed from a cozy inside draw. The negative is the high percentage barn of Mark Glatt is just 17% with recent maiden winners on dirt, good for a $0.96 ROI.
LEG E, RACE 10 – SANTA ANITA PARK
SELECTIONS: 3-4-7-2
The entire sequence hinges on this affair, as #3 MIZ CLUBCALI is a runner I’m going to stand alone with in this spot. She stretches out in distance, has an aggressive pilot who’s new to the colony and should be able to get the lead here. While sprinting is likely more her preference, she is a winner at a mile and should be dangerous if left to her own devices on the front end. The price will be fair, so make a few win bets along the way!
LEG F, RACE 11 – SANTA ANITA PARK
SELECTIONS: 7-8-1-6
How do we close this thing out? We’ll need to get lucky with #7 WASTED WARRIOR, who drops significantly in class for Mike Puype. This is also his first opportunity with Lasix, as is the case for a number of runners in this field. He ran well in his lone prior try for a tag and should get some pace to run at late this afternoon. If things materialize on the front end, expect him to pick up some pieces in the stretch. #8 LANZADOR is a second timer who showed some life at first asking and these types are often some of the best bets we have in racing.
Main Ticket: 2,7 with 4,7 with 1,2,5,6,7,8 with 1,9 with 3 with 7,8 = $96 for $1
Good luck!
