Gulfstream Park pick of the day for April 30

Horseplayers could face a wet or drying-out track at Gulfstream Park on Thursday, with precipitation expected in the morning and the possibility of afternoon showers. Eleven races are carded, and let’s focus upon one scheduled for the main track.

Gulfstream Park, Race 8: $50,000 maiden claiming (6 furlongs, 4:48 p.m. ET)

#10 Fast Magic will drop in class for his second start and return from a five-month layoff.

The Kentucky-bred colt finished a third with a rally, after a troubled start, in a restricted maiden special weight test at Churchill Downs in November. The effort netted a respectable 90 Brisnet Late Pace rating in the 7-furlong race, and Fast Magic faced good company that afternoon. The winner, Shashashakemeup, opened the year in a couple Fair Grounds stakes and was last seen in a convincing allowance victory at Oaklawn Park.

This move — dropping in class for a second start — is a specialty for Kenny McPeek. The trainer has won at a 21% rate, from a 143-race sample size over the last five years, with horses dropping from maiden special weight to maiden claiming. He wins at 16% clip with horses in their second start. McPeek doesn’t push his pupils first time out and often utilizes it as a learning experience.

Churchill Downs’ maiden races were competitive during the November meet, and Fast Magic took some betting action in his first start (7-1). The 3-year-old chestnut shows a couple swift, half-mile works in preparation, and he’s bred to handle off going, being a son of Fast Anna (16% mud sire) and out of a mare by Gold Case (17% mud).

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Tune into Churchill Downs’ virtual ‘Kentucky Derby at Home’ party on NBC on May 2 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. EDT