Handicapping the first Pick 3 on Pegasus World Cup Day

A blockbuster Pegasus World Cup Day card at Gulfstream Park kicks off rather early (11 a.m. ET) on Saturday, owing to 13 races and a still-early sunset at this time of the year. The first rolling Pick 3 of the day is a rather interesting sequence, and here's how I'll approach it.

The $1 ticket: 1,10 with 3,4,5 with 3,6,12 = $18

Race 1

This full field of entry-level allowance fillies and mares has a couple four-year-old fillies that appear to have a bit more upside than the rest. #1 Zipadoo (5-1) ran eventual Grade 3 winner Safeen close in her debut in October 2022, and then hit the sidelines after a dull try over the synthetic here. She returned last fall and showed solid form through three races, including a maiden win at Keeneland, but was a bit outclassed last time in the Tropical Park Oaks. This is a better spot for her.

#10 Typey (5-1) is another I'll use. Although she's returning from a layoff dating to June, she was in the mix in virtually every start beforehand. Her last work around the dogs over the Palm Meadows turf was presumably very good, based on the clocking, and the trainer/jockey combo of Jose D'Angelo and Irad Ortiz Jr. is especially potent at this track (30% strike rate).

Race 2

This field of maiden three-year-olds includes several potentially high-class horses, most of whom are making their debut. It's the kind of race tracks like Gulfstream love carding on big Saturdays, while inserting them in the middle of multi-race sequences.

We'll fade some of the top morning line favorites and dig a little deeper. #3 My True Colors (6-1) might get slightly less attention than stablemate Speak Easy here, but the son of Munnings appears to have some size to him and looked potentially as capable in their mutual gate work at Palm Beach Downs on Jan. 20.

I'll also use #4 Corporate Power (10-1), a son of Curlin and Golden Rod (G2) heroine Road to Victory. The latter produced Willakenzie, a debut winner at Fair Grounds just over a year ago. #5 Victory Avenue (5-1), from the barn that unveiled eventual Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage in a maiden around this time a year ago, has been talked up as a potential good thing. Strong works coming in, including a :59 breeze over five panels.

Race 3

I'm fading morning line favorite Fast as Flight in this second-level allowance/optional claimer for fillies and mares on the turf. She impressively won a stakes last summer at Ellis Park, but is now offered for the $62,500 optional tag, a seeming negative sign.

Instead, I'll focus on a trio of others. #3 Diamond Hands (8-1) made a winning return to the Christophe Clement stable with an allowance score at Tampa late last month, while #6 Chorus Girl (12-1) should have gotten something out of her latest on the Tapeta following a brief layoff.

#12 Spansive (9-2) is sure to get attention having won her debut here last spring, then following with an allowance win and a respectable fourth in the Wonder Again (G2) at Belmont. Remains with upside for Repole/Todd Pletcher.