Gulfstream Park: Spot plays for Affirmed, Susan's Girl, and more

Racing at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photography)

The juvenile racing action in Florida will heat up Saturday, with a quartet of stakes for 2-year-olds at Gulfstream Park.

The $200,000 Florida Sire Susan’s Girl S. and the $200,000 Affirmed S. (both restricted to Florida-breds) are the richest events of the afternoon, though the $75,000 Proud Man S. and $75,000 Sharp Susan S. seem just as likely to produce contenders for the Nov. 6-7 Breeders’ Cup.

Since the four races are arranged in consecutively, let’s play them all on a $75 budget, with an emphasis on multi-race wagers like doubles and Pick 3s.

Race 8: Proud Man S. (1 mile on turf, 3:40 p.m. ET)

#7 Fulmini (9-5) was a sharp maiden winner sprinting 5 furlongs over the Gulfstream turf course for trainer Mike Maker. #9 Castle King (6-1) finished 3 3/4 lengths behind Fulmini, but subsequently broke his maiden at a mile and could have an advantage over Saturday’s distance.

Fulmini and Castle King are two of the main players, but #1 Hot Blooded (7-2) is just as intriguing.

A pace-pressing winner in a 7-furlongs sprint over the Gulfstream main track, Hot Blooded is a son of Declaration of War, out of a Medaglia d’Oro mare. These bloodlines are geared strongly toward stamina, and since Declaration of War won multiple Group 1 races on grass, Hot Blooded should handle the switch to turf just fine for trainer Carlos David.

Let’s key Hot Blooded in the exacta and single him to kick off a Pick 3.

$3 exacta: 1 with 7,9 ($6)
$3 exacta: 7,9 with 1 ($6)
$5 Pick 3: 1 with 1,4,5 with 1 ($15)

Race 9: Florida Sire Susan’s Girl S. (7 furlongs, 4:14 p.m. ET)

#4 Go Jo Jo Go (8-5) rallied to win the Florida Sire Desert Vixen S. at 6 furlongs, but was aided by a contested early pace that favored late runners. Pacesetter #5 Princess Secret (9-5) ran well under the circumstances to hang on and finish second, while #1 Freak (7-2) unleashed a big rally to take the lead in midstretch but weakened down the lane and misssed the runner-up spot by a nose.

Go Jo Jo Go, Princess Secret, and Freak appear to rank a cut above their rivals in the Susan’s Girl. Their rematch could go in any direction, so we’ll use all three for multi-race wagers.

$2 Pick 3: 1,4,5 with 1 with 1,4,6 ($18)

Race 10: Sharp Susan S. (1 mile on turf, 4:48 p.m. ET)

#5 Spanish Loveaffair (6-5) blew the doors off her rivals in a 1-mile turf maiden race at Gulfstream on July 23, when she pressed a modest pace and rocketed the final quarter in :23.90 to win by 11 lengths.

A daughter of Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) winner Karakontie, Spanish Loveaffair can return to the winner’s circle, as a short-priced single, if she repeats her debut performance.

$20 double: 5 with 6
$5 double: 5 with 1,4 ($10)
Total: $30

Race 11: Florida Sire Affirmed S. (7 furlongs, 5:21 p.m. ET)

#6 Breeze On By (6-5) is 2-for-2. He won his debut by six lengths, then wired the 6-furlong Florida Sire Dr. Fager S. for a 94 Brisnet Speed rating.

A speedy frontrunner, Breeze On By will be tough to beat, even over 7 furlongs, though Dr. Fager runner-up #1 Gatsby (3-1) is a threat to turn the tables if he gets enough pace to chase.