Late Pick 5
Race selections provided are in the mindset of playing the Pick 5 sequence as a whole; runners are placed in the order of most likely winner, in my humble opinion. – Let’s make it happen!!!
Race 10 SELECTIONS: 6
#6 Marketsegmentation will be our key horse for this Pick 5 on Florida Derby Day. This four-year-old filly has a niche for pressing the pace and closing energetically; strong connections all the way around.
Race 11 SELECTIONS: 2 – 5 – 3 – 10
#2 Love Appeals won professionally on debut at this distance and surface, she did so against a very slow pace but that does not mean that she can’t do it facing a more moderate one. #5 Breath Away has been competitive in both of her career starts and just missed last time out on the All-Weather; she is regally bred and should continue to improve. #3 Riding Pretty has a great late kick and is in good form for trainer Eddie Owens; retains the services of jockey Paco Lopez. #10 Metaphysical is an improving daughter of American Freedom that has taken well to the turf. Last time out in the Grade 3 Sweetest Chant she finished a strong fourth only beaten by two lengths, rider change to Javier Castellano.
Race 12 SELECTIONS: 6 – 2 – 8
#6 Atomically will be running second off the layoff for trainer Todd Pletcher. Her last race was her first back since her attempt in the Juvenile Fillies Breeders’ Cup race; if she can return to her two year-old form she will be dangerous. #2 Infinite Diamond possesses a versatile running style that can adapt to the race, she was not competitive in her last start as she got shuffled back and was unable to make up ground late. #8 Dorth Vader is a filly that gives her all regardless of the pace or distance. She has great early speed and the determination to see it through; she won the last race at odds of 46-1. She won’t be that price today but should put in a similar effort.
Race 13 SELECTIONS: 6 – 3 – 12 – 9
#6 Steady On runs for one of the hottest jockey trainer combinations at Gulfstream Park, trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Irad Ortiz. Steady on is a tuff competitor on any surface but is slightly better on today’s surface, turf, in my humble opinion. #3 Gray’s Fable will be looking to improve off his last effort when he returned from a long layoff and ran a very close second place finish at the same surface and distance as today’s thirteenth race. #12 Dreams of Tomorrow returns from a three months rest for trainer Shug McGaughey; he fits in well at this level and gets a rider change to Javier Castellano. #9 Churchtown is a strong front running son of Air Force Blue; early speed coupled with the riding prowess of Luis Saez is a combination that should be included.
Race 14 SELECTIONS: 4 – 10 – 9 – 12
This is the big one Ladies and Gents, the 2023 Grade 1 Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa. Race favorite and Kentucky Derby hopefull #11 Forte is 4-5 on morning line odds. He is a deserving favorite but drew an outside post position and will have to work out a trip to be in his stalk and pounce position that he has been so successful with. I am going to play against him on the ticket for the purpose of increased payout possibilities.
#4 Mage put the racing world on notice with his bold run in the Fountain of Youth stakes as he pressed and ran professionally in only his second career start; gets a rider change to Luis Saez with should complement his natural running style. #10 Fort Bragg ships in from the west coast for trainer Bim Bakteen ( Bob Baffert / Tim Yakteen blend). This well bred son of Tapit has yet to show what he is truly capable of and now is the time for him to show it. #9 Cyclone Mischief has earned very good speed ratings in his six prior efforts but seems to be on both end of the spectrum when it comes to pace; another talented runner that gets a rider change that should accent the horse’s ability. #12 Dubyuhnell ran very good races two and three back and both of those races were on a sloppy track, last time out he was checked in the first turn and did no running at all. Does this son of Good Magic prefer a wet surface or was last time due to traffic trouble?
