Holland's Apr. 5 North American Picks

by Tim Holland

Gulfstream

Race 5

#4 Amadora (10-1) took some betting action but disappointed when a distant last of five in her debut last month. Trainer Walsh has won with 24% of his runners this meet and shows confidence by keeping the daughter of Goldencents at the maiden special weight level. Four-year-old may show much more here and Gaffalione remains aboard.

Race 6

Trainer Rivelli wins with a high 35% of his first-time starters and saddles #2 Backside Beauty (6-1) for her first outing. Daughter of Orb is a half-sister to three winners and works include a 5-furlong move in :59 3/5 recently for Rivelli, who wins with 19% of his starters on grass. Chestnut cost $150K last year and appears ready for a good first outing under Lebron, who has won with one of last seven rides for the barn.

Race 8

Maidens over a mile on turf include #10 Reliability (12-1), who gets blinkers added off a flattening out fifth place finish after making some early progress in his debut in January. Son of Tapit is out of a Group 1 winner in France and has worked well since his first outing for trainer Jerkens, who wins with 11% of his second time starters. Improvement can be expected with Davis up.

Race 11

#5 Catnip Kitten (5-2) has not been seen since closing to finish second over the course and distance in early-February. Trainer De La Cerda wins with 19% of runners that have not raced for 46-90 days and daughter of Kitten’s Joy has a record of 11-2-4-0 on turf. Filly can be along from off the pace with Rosario riding.

Oaklawn

Race 6

Conditioner Sharp wins with 22% of runners second off a layoff and saddles #4 Kasilof (5-2), who likely needed his latest when closing to finish third over 6-furlongs facing better last month, being his first outing in over a year. Son of Bodemeister is out of a stake winning mare and gets blinkers added by Sharp, who has won with 27% of runners this meet. Dark bay can be near the front early under Garcia, who has won with six of last 11 rides for Sharp.

Race 7

Maidens go 6-furlongs with #4 Bank (6-1) making his first outing for trainer Asmussen. Dark bay finished a good third in his debut at this distance in his debut two back but disappointed in his latest over 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland in October. Recent works include a sharp 5-furlong move in :59 3/5 from the gate for Asmussen, who wins with 14% of runners that have not raced for 90 days or more. Son of Bernardini is half-brother to Blue Grass (G1) winner Brilliant Speed and can be tough here with Santana in the saddle.

Tampa

Race 3

#9 Fortunate Cat (5-1) gets class relief off a fading unplaced effort in her debut over 6-furlongs on the main track at Gulfstream in early-February. Trainer Thomas wins with 27% of his runners that have not raced for 46-90 days and with 15% making their turf debut. Filly can be forwardly placed from the start with Centeno taking the mount.