Late Pick 4 sequence
Race 11 SELECTIONS: 6 – 8 – 9
#6 Annex is a well-bred 3 year old by Constitution trained by Bill Mott. He has won both career starts in impressive fashion, displaying good tactical speed; Junior Alvarado in the irons. #8 Step Dancer is making his 2021 debut after a solid 2 year-old campaign. Two victories and a third place finish in the G3 Pilgrim, in which he didn’t have any pace to run at. #9 Fulmini steps up in class and is stretching out back to a route after solid 5F victory in which he stalked and surged late. After that performance he looks fit and ready to put in a good effort here today; Paco Lopez gets the mount.
Race 12 SELECTIONS: 6 – 3
#6 Millefeuille was shuffled back on the turn last time and then seemed to simply shut-off, she was within reach of the leaders but ran very one paced after that incident. Based upon her previous efforts it looks as though she prefers to be upfront and I anticipate that’s where jockey Tyler Gaffalione will take her.; improvement is definitely a possibility. #3Crazy Beautiful also exits the G2 DvanaDal where she ran unusually slow during the first part of the race but came on strong to finish second behind a winner who was a 50-1 longshot. That was her first race back from a 3 month rest and we look to see her more prominently placed this time out for trainer Kenny McPeek.
Race 13 SELECTIONS: 9 – 7 – 5
#9 Always Shopping is a tactical long distance specialist that is in great form. Running for the top trainer and being ridden by the top jockey on the meet’s biggest day we can anticipate her being even money or lower on the tote. #7 Delta’s Kingdom ran a respectable second to Always Shopping last time out in the G3 La Prvyte. She was steadied about halfway through the race but re-rallied nicely. Trainer Bill Mott and jockey Juninor Alavardo can definitely get it done on the turf. #5 Sorrel should be used as a defensive cover as it can be very difficult to predict how these well-bred IRE shippers will take to the speedy Gulfstream Park turf; Jockey Javier Castellano has been hot since his return and is one of the best on the turf course over the last 6 days.
Race 14 SELECTIONS: 7 – 10 – 9 – 8
#7 Greatest Honour will be the deserving post time favorite for this year’s Florida Derby. Three for Three consecutively at Gulfstream Park, this Tapit colt has cultivated the ability to close and it has been fun to watch. Last time out in the Fountain of Youth Stakes it looked as if he waited too late to turn it on, but came on with a fury to win going away. With a full field and at least one more truly talented 3 year-old to compete against, we will see if this derby prospect can seal his fate and move onto the starting gate for this year’s Kentucky Derby. #10 Spielberg was looking around at the break and was 3 lengths behind when he got straighten up. Was wide throughout on a sloppy track in the Southwest and ran a good second to a top notch horse in Essential Quality. Talent is here. Can he overcome another potentially problematic post position? I believe that he can. #8 Soup and Sandwich and #9 Collaborate are both unproven commodities with potential upside. Both are triple crown nominated and have won prior starts. Although their victories were against inferior compared to today’s level of competition, these well-bred colts are physically and mentally improving and could make a big splash.
