Gulfstream: How to bet the Sunshine Sprint Stakes on Jan. 15

Eight swift Florida-bred runners will travel six furlongs in Saturday’s $75,000 Sunshine Sprint S. at Gulfstream Park. The main-track dash features multiple speedy sorts who have endured success on the surface in what appears to be a fine betting event.

Sunshine Sprint Wagers

• $20 win #1 Cool Quest ($20)
• 50-cent trifecta 1, 5 with 1, 2, 5 with all ($12)
• $1 superfecta 1, 5 with 1, 5 with 2 with all ($10)
• $1 superfecta 1, 5 with 1, 5 with all with 2 ($10)

There is an abundance of early zip in the field, but I feel that #1 Cool Quest is the speed of the speed from the rail. Trained by Brian Lynch, the Frosted colt has been flashing his early pace since adding blinkers in September, which has led to a pair of wins and a second from four recent assignments.

The four-year-old had a great prep for this contest with an allowance tally on the oval when leading throughout, and I envision Julien Leparoux employing similar tactics once again on this occasion. A fair price is expected on the talented colt.

#5 Gatsby has been in excellent form as of late for trainer Carlos David. The Arindel homebred has won or placed in four straight deep allowance tilts on the course, and he has proven to be capable of forcing the pace and passing horses in the stretch on occasion. By Brethren, the gelding draws outside of much of the pace in the race, which will allow top gun Luis Saez to track the tempo before passing tired runners in the lane. The bay is a top-three must use.

I don’t love the win chances of Rapid Transit S. third #2 Pudding, but the Elizabeth Dobles pupil has plenty of appeal as an exotics piece at a price to me. The gelded son of Two Step Salsa dons a solid 8-3-1-2 mark at Gulfstream Park, and the consistent late runner will be passing a lot of tired legs in the stretch in this dash with Javier Castellano in the silks. I expect the seven-year-old to be taken back and out on the rail early before being asked for his best approaching the turn for home.