Gulfstream Park stakes spot plays for Feb. 6

Tampa Bay Downs isn’t the only Florida racetrack that will host competitive stakes races Saturday. Gulfstream Park will join the fray with a pair of appealing grass events.

The $100,000 Suwannee River S. (G3) and the $100,000 Ladies’ Turf Sprint S. have both drawn competitive fields. Let’s take $60 and follow the action with a handful of spot plays.

Race 6: Suwannee River (G3, 1 1/8 miles on turf, 2:36 p.m. ET)

Top turf trainer Chad Brown has won the Suwannee River three times, and he can secure a fourth victory with the lightly raced five-year-old #2 Great Island.

A daughter of Scat Daddy, Great Island displayed tactical speed and a solid finishing kick when she prevailed in 1 1/16-mile maiden and allowance races on the Kentucky circuit during the fall.

She stepped up in class for the 1 3/16-mile Via Borghese S. at Gulfstream, where she was compromised by a wide trip behind slow fractions. Nevertheless, Great Island accelerated through the final half-mile to cross the wire second, beaten three lengths by future La Prevoyante (G3) winner Always Shopping.

For the Suwannee River, Great Island will pick up the services of Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., and post 2 should allow Great Island to save ground before the stretch drive. A change in trip is all Great Island needs to secure her first stakes victory.

Veteran graded stakes performer #3 La Signare (7-5) and two-time allowance winner #4 Logic N Reason (7-2) can round out the exotics.

$15 to win on #2 Great Island
$5 exacta: 2 with 3,4 ($10)
$2.50 trifecta: 2 with 3,4 with 3,4 ($5)
Total: $30

Race 11: Ladies’ Turf Sprint (Five furlongs on turf, 5:16 p.m. ET)

#7 Lady’s Island (5-2) boasts 17 wins from 34 starts, highlighted by multiple victories in the Sugar Swirl (G3) and a runner-up effort in the Honorable Miss (G2). The seven-year-old mare is the most accomplished runner in Saturday’s field, but she has spent the vast majority of her career racing on dirt and has just one win from four starts on turf.

In contrast, #8 Hear My Prayer (3-1) is undefeated in four starts sprinting five furlongs on grass, including three victories at Gulfstream. A speedy frontrunner, with the ability to rate off the lead if necessary, Hear My Prayer impressed in the five-furlong Abundantia S. at Gulfstream last month, when she settled behind blazing splits of :20.95 and :43.54, then rallied to win by 2 1/2 lengths.

With Ortiz in the saddle, Hear My Prayer can win right back on her favorite course and at her favorite distance. We’ll bet her to win and play her on top of trifecta tickets, with Lady’s Island keyed underneath.

$15 to win on #8 Hear My Prayer
$2.50 trifecta: 8 with 7 with 1,2,6 ($7.50)
$2.50 trifecta: 8 with 1,2,6 with 7 ($7.50)
Total: $30

Good luck!