BetAmerica’s horse racing pick of the day: April 23, Gulfstream

Weekday picks and plays for Thoroughbred racing.

Thursday, April 23

Gulfstream Park, Race 6: Allowance/optional claiming (1 mile, 3:43 p.m. ET)

The 3-year-old #2 Untitled (6-5 on the morning line) might be facing older rivals for the first time, but he is also taking a step down the class ladder. He last raced in the 1-mile Gotham (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and is now in an optional-claiming allowance for Florida-breds.

Untitled ran a gutsy race in the Gotham at Aqueduct, where he battled on to finish second, despite a wide trip, and sticking to a one-turn mile should be perfect for the son of Khozan. There isn’t much speed in Thursday’s field, so Untitled — who threw down a 105 Brisnet Speed rating when he led all the way in his debut at Gulfstream — could shake loose on an easy lead under hot jockey Luis Saez.

There won’t be much value in betting Untitled to win, so let’s play him on top of a cold exacta, with #3 Roman Empire (9-2), who will switch back to dirt after he finished off the board in a grass allowance April 5. Conditioned by Gulfstream’s leading trainer Todd Pletcher, the son of Empire Maker is bred for dirt and broke his maiden by 8 3/4 lengths over this track and distance Feb. 28.

$20 exacta: 2 with 3

Good luck!