Holland's Gulfstream Picks for May 7

by Tim Holland

Handicapper Tim Holland is focused exclusively upon Gulfstream Park on Thursday.

Want more information on the races of the day? Brisnet.com has their own Spot Plays along with Data Reports every handicapper needs.

Race 2

Is common knowledge that trainer Wesley Ward excels with runners in these early 2-year-old races and he has two newcomers entered here, which should help the value on others, including #5 Lyrical (6-1). Debuting daughter of Brethren is a half-sister to one winner and has posted a long string of works for trainer Alvarado, who won with a 2-year-old first timer last month. Dark bay could be a factor with Zayas in the irons.

Race 4

Maiden fillies on turf include #4 Formula (5-1), who made belated progress while unplaced after being bumped and checked at the start facing better in her debut over a mile in March. Daughter of 11% grass sire Algorithms is a half-sister to Broken Spell, who finished second in the Alcibiades (G1). Filly has worked well since her first outing for trainer Hough, who has won with 20% of his runners at this meet, and Rosario takes the call.

Race 6

#7 Sandys Blaze (8-1) finished well to narrowly miss when second in her debut over 7-furlongs here last September. 3-year-old has been working well for her return for trainer Sano, and son of Gone Astray is a half-brother to two winners. Should find a solid pace to close into with Reyes remaining aboard.

Race 7

Sprinters on turf include #4 Royally Cool (3-1), who was claimed by Steve Klesaris when weakening to finish third after leading early as the favorite in her latest on the main track in mid-February. Dark bay has won 2-of-3 starts on turf, and Klesaris wins at 15% rate the first off the claim and following a 46-90 day freshening. Daughter of Majesticperfection figures to be the one to catch under Jaramillo, who has won with one of last two rides for the barn.

Race 8

Trainer Barboza wins with 27% of his runners that were beaten as the favorite last time out and saddles #8 Worth Avenue (5-2), who closed to finish second in her latest as the choice over the track and distance last month. Barboza has won with 15% of runners at this meet, and mare has a record of 15-4-5-2 at this distance. Dark bay can be running late into a likely solid tempo with Zayas again in the saddle.

Race 9

#4 Champagne Horizon (6-1) may have lost chances when getting loose before the start in her latest at this level in mid-March. Daughter of New Year’s Day has a record of 8-2-2-1 on turf for trainer Cibelli, who wins with 14% of runners that have not raced for 46-90 days and with 18% of her starters on grass. Filly posted three solid 4-furlong works last month and can be along in time with Vasquez up.

Race 11

Lasix is added to #7 Seven Channels (20-1), who has not been seen since trailing the field throughout after a slow start in his debut in a maiden special weight event over 5-furlongs in March. Distance should be a plus for son of English Channel, who posted a decent 5-furlong work in 1:01 4/5 on turf at Payson Park last month. Trainer Lewis won with three of the last 18 runners returning from a 46-90 day rest, and colt can show more with Maragh in the irons.

Editor’s Note: As of May 3, 2020 Tim Holland has delivered with 314 races, 70 winners (22%) and a profit of 5% on all picks, (with off-the-turf races not counting) and when looking at runners with odds of 5-1 or higher, increases to a profit of 13%.