Thursday’s feature at Gulfstream Park is a $75,000 allowance optional claimer for runners going 6 ½ furlongs over dirt. We provide analysis and horse racing picks for that event as well as two other great races on the May 21st card! Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds from Gulfstream Park for Thursday, May 21. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.
Gulfstream Park Horse Racing Picks
- When: Thursday, May 21 at 1:00 pm ET
- Where: Hallandale Beach, FL
- Weather: Chance Thunderstorms
- Temperature: High 83 – Low 76
Gulfstream Park Picks for Thursday, May 21
Race 5 – 2:46 pm ET – 6 Furlongs Dirt – $6,250 Claiming
Last out maiden winner Alaskan probably won’t hold its 4/1 morning line. The 3-year-old gelding ran lights out to graduate. Irad Ortiz sticks while trainer Gilberto Zerpa wins 30% with his last out maiden winners.
Saffie Joseph Jr. puts the saddle on Big Spender. The 4-year-old gelding takes a steep drop in class from $16,000 claiming to this $6,250 race. Joseph Jr. wins 35% first after the claim, 28% down 2+ classes, and 52% when he drops off the claim.
Deckology is a solid play for third. The Bob Hess trained runner finished second in its last. That race was over this dirt and at this distance and level. So, the Point of Entry sired runner could improve enough to win. Consider for the top and bottom of your exotics.
- Win: Alaskan
- Place: Big Spender
- Show: Deckology
Race 7 – 3:49 pm ET – 6 Furlongs Dirt –$6,250 Claiming
Speed jock Joe Bravo could take Ray’swarrior gate to wire. In its last, the Majestic Warrior sired 8-year-old gelding finished second by half a length in a 6-furlong dirt sprint at the $8,000 level. There are some class droppers in this field. None have the early speed Ray’swarrior posseses.
Sandra Matier trained Valdocco heads into this off 3 straight second place finishes. Is Friday the day Valdocco breaks through with a win? Possibly, but the odds should be much lower than the 5/1 morning line. Also, the Tapizar sired runner has 11 seconds from 21 races. That means this one loves to hang.
5/2 on the morning line Star Juancho takes a massive class drop from $50,000 claimers. It’s hard not to take this one seriously because Irad Ortiz Jr. rides and new trainer Jose D’Angelo wins 60% down 2+ class levels. But the drop is so significant and this one raced so badly in its last, we must relegate to the bottom of exotics.
- Win: Ray’swarrior
- Place: Valdocco
- Show: Star Juancho
Race 9 – 5:24 pm ET – 6 ½ Furlongs Dirt – $75,000 Allowance Optional Claiming
There’s a chance Admiral Lynch runs them offer their feet. Irad Ortiz keeps the mount aboard the 4-year-old Super Saver sired colt. Irad rode this one to a second place finish in a Grade 3 in its last. Trainer Mike Maker put a couple of excellent works into this runner on May 8 and May 15.
Mi Tres Por Ciento raced great in the gelding’s first in the U.S. The 5-year-old Ocean Terrace sired runner won a $62,500 optional claiming event at 6 furlongs over the Gulfstream dirt. Ciento could bounce off that effort. But Amador Sanchez wins 23% with horses that got their picture taken in their last.
Fast Pass should get enough speed to chase to be effective. It’s tough to back closers in fields with talented front runners, though. If Fast Pass wins, we won’t be surprised. But we prefer to use on bottom.
- Win: Admiral Lynch
- Place: Mi Tres Por Ciento
- Show: Fast Pass
