Gulfstream Park: How to bet the $3,145 Super High 5 carryover

The opening race on Sunday at Gulfstream Park might not be the highlight from a sporting perspective, but the fact it boasts a $3,145 Super High 5 carryover makes it appealing for bettors.

Race 1 is a $16,000 maiden claimer taking place over 5 1/2 furlongs on the synthetic Tapeta track, and although nine horse have been entered (equating to 15,120 possible outcomes), the race doesn’t look overly tough to handicap on paper.

That’s because a trio of contenders appear to rank above the rest. First and foremost is #2 Harry’s Onthebeach (8-5), whose form over the Gulfstream Tapeta is solid. During the spring, he ran third by two lengths in a $25,000 maiden claimer, earning a career-best 75 Brisnet Speed rating. Then on July 22, Harry’s Onthebeach came home second by four lengths in a $16,000 maiden claimer, earning a 70 Brisnet Speed rating.

#6 Rock Solid Words (2-1) also boasts promising form lines over this track. Back in April, he ran second in a $16,000 maiden claimer, beaten 1 1/4 lengths after dueling for the lead. He ran similarly well with identical tactics in a $12,500 maiden claimer on July 24, finishing third by 2 1/2 lengths. These efforts produced Brisnet Speed ratings of 76 and 75, putting Rock Solid Words right in the mix against Sunday’s field.

The first-time starter #3 On the Go (4-1) is also worthy of respect. Trainer Ralph Nicks wins at a 20% rate with horses debuting in maiden claimers, and his record debuting horses in Tapeta sprints at Gulfstream stands at a solid 4-1-0-2. That’s a 75% in-the-money rate, so On the Go should have a good shot to finish in the top three.

So how should we bet the Super High 5? We’ll give the edge to Harry’s Onthebeach and key him on top of our tickets. Then we’ll count on both Rock Solid Words and On the Go to finish in the top four before spreading deep for the remaining slots.

• $1 Super High 5: 2 with 3,6 with 3,6 with 1,5,8,9 with 1,5,8,9 ($24)
• $1 Super High 5: 2 with 3,6 with 1,5,8,9 with 3,6 with 1,5,8,9 ($24)
  Total: $48

Good luck!