Extravagant Kid the key to Gulfstream Park Pick 3 ticket

A superb 11-race card will take place at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. Six stakes races on the grass headline the action, with numerous excellent betting opportunities on the slate. My main focus comes early starting with my top selection on the card. 

Race 4 – Janus S.

Five-furlong turf dash attracted nine including my top play, #2 Extravagant Kid (5-2). Brendan Walsh pupil is a high-quality turf sprinter who was last seen finishing a fine runner-up to the superb Pink Lloyd on the Woodbine Tapeta. Kiss the Kid gelding was second-best in this race in 2018, and the dark bay will do one better this season from off the pace.

Race 5 – Maiden Special Weight

Nine juvenile fillies will run one mile on the dirt in a well-matched affair. If #9 New Day Dawning (3-1) repeats her second-place effort on the turf at Keeneland today, I think that the race goes through her. Brisset trainee has been training swiftly in the interim, and I love the addition of Irad Ortiz Jr.

I will also add some value horses to the ticket in case my top pick fails to transform her ability to the dirt, which is quite possible. #2 Pink Chanel (6-1) has trained steadily since late September for the always dangerous Navarro, and the daughter of Honor Code brought $145,000 at auction in the spring. She could be live on debut.

#4 Kapiolani (12-1) is another first timer that I will include. Empire Maker filly from the Walsh barn is a half-sister to Grade 1-winning sire Eskendereya, who flourished in South Florida.

The final horse that will be on the ticket is second-time starter #7 Forced Family Fun (15-1). $450,000 Uncle Mo filly drew the rail while going long on debut, and she also caught a sloppy oval at Churchill Downs. Kentucky-bred adds blinkers and picks up the red-hot Saez today. Major improvement is expected from the filly in a winnable affair.

Race 6 – Abundantia S.

Defending champ #4 Girl Knows Best (8-5) will receive a lot of attention for Eddie Kenneally, and deservedly so. Fleet chestnut is 12-for-24 lifetime and brings both pace and class to this heat, on arguably her favorite surface. But she is not single material in the strong field.

I could make a case for #1 Travieza (9-2), #2 Violent Times (12-1), #6 Jean Elizabeth (12-1), #7 Eyeinthesky (6-1) and #10 Escapade (8-1), so they will be on the ticket in addition the morning-line choice.

SUGGESTED WAGER

$1 Pick 3: 2 with 2,4,7,9 with 1,2,4,6,7,10 = $24

Good luck!