Gulfstream: Undercard Turf Stakes Selections for Jan. 28

A pair of graded stakes races on the lawn will accompany the two marquee Pegasus World Cup grassy events at Gulfstream Park on Saturday.

Race 6 – La Prevoyante S. (G3)

A total of eight fillies and mares will travel 1 1/2 miles on the lawn in the $150,000 affair. Shug McGaughey’s #2 Personal Best (7-2) has done her best work going marathon distances and I will take a shot with the well-bred lass on picking up her first stakes victory in the field. By Tapit, the four-year-old filly has been consistent in winning or placing in every race following her debut, led by a facile triumph at 1 3/8 miles over allowance foes two prior.

Personal Best was stakes placed on the dirt last time to prove both her class and form, and she seems poised to sit a fine trip just off the early tempo before taking over in the lane. Irad Ortiz Jr. rides the gray, adding to her appeal.

#5 Adventuring (7-5) will take a lot of money in the affair for conditioner Brad Cox as a Grade 3 heroine who has kept very good company as of late. However, the Godolphin homebred has picked up both of her turf tallies at Kentucky Downs, and I think she could be vulnerable at a relatively short price. She is an obvious must use in the top-three, nonetheless.

Race 9 – William L. McKnight S. (G3)

An overflow field of 13 will go postward in the 1 1/2-mile contest for the boys. I’ll give #3 Pao Alto (8-1) one more chance on the stretch out to 12 furlongs for conditioner Graham Motion. The French import has flashed potential on occasion in his four tries on U.S. soil, and he sports the best pedigree in the field to thrive at this extended distance. Expert turf pilot Frankie Dettori riding adds to the appeal of the grandson of Frankel.

#6 Temple (9-2), who was runner-up in the race in 2022, comes in fresh and will vastly improve on his unplaced effort in the Red Smith (G2) at Aqueduct in November. The Mike Maker-trained son of Temple City owns 10 top-two finishes on this course in his lifetime and has fired well off the layoff in the past. The stalker gets the services of Florent Geroux and will stalk the pace to the turn for home before being asked for his best.