Gulfstream Park: 2022 Fort Lauderdale Exotics Plays

An overflow field of 13 will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Gulfstream Park turf in Saturday’s $200,000 Fort Lauderdale S. (G2). #12 Colonel Liam (8-5) is the reigning two-time Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) winner on the surface, and he is using this to prepare for a three-peat in that event. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the standout son of Liam’s Map is the obvious one to beat on paper, and while he is no sure thing in his first start since the spring, I feel compelled to base my plays around the ultra-talented five-year-old.

Colonel Liam dons a sterling 3-for-3 mark at Gulfstream and has run well off the shelf in the past, as well. Equipped with a high cruising speed, the Kentucky-bred will be able to avoid a disastrous trip from the widest post under the guidance of regular rider Irad Ortiz Jr. The $1.8 million earner is training well in advance of this race, and though he will not be fully cranked for the contest, anything resembling his top effort will make him very tough to upend on his favorite course.

I will focus on a pair of contenders underneath the favorite, including Mike Maker’s #4 Shadow Sphinx (12-1). By Pioneerof the Nile, the gelding has rallied for runner-up efforts in both outings since being claimed by this outfit and seems poised for another good showing. The deep-closing type lands in a field with an abundance of early speed, so he figures to receive a favorable set-up at fair odds beneath Paco Lopez. A minor award seems very possible for the seven-year-old.

Christophe Clement’s #7 City Man (9-2) brings fine form to the field with three wins and a second from his last quartet of performances. Bred in the Empire State, the Mucho Macho Man five-year-old possesses a versatile running style, and I expect him to be well placed as the field approaches the turn for home. The Grade 3 victor will have fine turf pilot Joel Rosario in the stirrups.

Fort Lauderdale Exotics Plays

• $5 exacta key box 12 with 4,7 ($20)
• $1 trifecta 12 with 4,7 with all ($20)
• 50-cent trifecta 4,7 with 12 with all ($10)
• 50-cent superfecta 12 with 4,7 with 4,7 with all ($9)
• 50-cent superfecta 12 with 4,7 with all with 4,7 ($9)