Exotics Plays for the Forward Gal Stakes

A diverse field of 11 sophomore fillies will go seven-eighths on the Gulfstream Park main oval in Saturday’s $165,000 Forward Gal S. (G3). The finale on a big day of racing appears to be quite competitive on paper with multiple prospects worthy of recognition in the affair. 

Forward Gal Exotics

• $10 exacta 7 with 1,3 ($20)
• $1 trifecta key 7 with 1,2,3,9,11 ($20)
• 50-cent trifecta 1,2,3,9,11 with 7 with 1,2,3,9,11 ($10)
• 10-cent superfecta 3,7 with 3,7 with 1,2,9,11 with all ($6.40)

#7 Eclatant, one of two massive contenders in the group for conditioner Brad Cox, will make her 2025 debut in this challenging spot. The Stonestreet Stables’ homebred was a sharp first-out winner at Churchill Downs on June 21, and the daughter of Into Mischief followed that tally with an equally impressive allowance triumph at Keeneland on October 4. She was a distant third in the Golden Rod S. (G2) to cap her juvenile season, but the filly has trained well in advance of her return and I think that she is sitting on a big effort. The bay has good tactical speed and will sit a comfortable trip just off the early tempo with Luis Saez in the irons. 

#3 Justinqueso was elevated to first in her debut showing on the oval on December 19 and jumps into the stakes ranks today. Trainer Ian Wilkes doesn’t have them cranked up at first asking very often, so I feel that the Ghostzapper filly might be a good one going forward. The $175,000 yearling purchase will obviously need improvement to upset her more seasoned foes, but she could be up to the task after a few swift morning drills in advance of Saturday. I expect the Kentucky-bred to be rallying from off the pace with Joe Bravo in the silks. 

#1 Unchained Elaine ran into a buzzsaw in the Cash Run S. on the oval most recently and is well drawn on the rail for this encounter. The daughter of American Pharoah might not boast the best win profile in the group, but she likes the surface and could surely grab a share at a healthy number with Junior Alvarado on board. 

Grade 3 heroine #2 The Queens M G, 16-length debut victress #9 Rojo Rita, and Tempted S. queen #11 Stunner, are each very logical and wouldn’t be a surprise.