Holland’s North America Race Picks for June 17

Tim has studied today’s racing action, landing on a pair of picks for Gulfstream Park, Delaware Park, and Canterbury.

Gulfstream Park

Race 3

Trainer Biancone has had a good meet, winning with 15% of his starters and adds blinkers to #8 Afficionado (3-1), who comes off an unplaced effort over 5-furlongs in an allowance here last month. That marked her first start since finishing sixth in the Prix Miesque (G3) in October, and the 3-year-old daughter of Cable Boy won 2-of-6 starts before joining Biancone, who wins with 15% of runners going from a sprint to a route. Filly can be tough at this level from off the pace under Panici, who has won with two of his last four rides for the barn.

Race 8

A mile turf affair for 3-year-olds, #4 Kunal (15-1) can turn things around an unplaced effort last time. The son of Temple City never settled behind slow early fractions at Fair Grounds, and he now drops into claiming company for the first time. Third in the Cup and Saucer S. in one of his three turf starts, colt has posted three bullet works recently for trainer Roussel, who wins with 17% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days. This barn has been going well this meet, and Kunal can be along from off the pace with Rodriguez riding.

Delaware Park

Race 3

Some well-bred maiden fillies includes #9 Gaelic Tales (10-1), a daughter of Giant’s Causeway out of a half-sister to Dubai World Cup (G1) winner African Story. Chestnut faded to finish unplaced in her debut at Fair Grounds on the main track in early-December, but should improve on grass and trainer Stidham wins with 21% of his second time starters. Trainer Delacour wins with 16% of his first-time starters and saddles #8 Royal Collection (12-1), a debuting daughter of Munnings. She’s out of the Grade 2-winning turf mare My Princess Jess, and the dark bay has been working well.

Race 8

Trainer Cox wins at an excellent 30% in the third start off a layoff and saddles #7 Vault (6-1), who comes off a closing third-place finish behind the talented Dunbar Road in the recent Shawnee S at Churchill in her second start of the year. Daughter of Jump Start has a record of 7-5-1-1 at this distance, and Cox has won with 25% of his starters this year. Geroux will be in to take the mount, and 4-year-old can be along from off the pace.

Canterbury Park

Race 1

Blinkers are added to #6 Biscottini (3-1) for her first start for trainer Silva. Daughter of Decarchy is a half-sister to one winner and has not been seen since closing to narrowly miss when second at Golden Gates in January. Dark bay posted a sold 4-furlong work in :48 4/5 here for Silva, who won with one of his first runners at this meet. Filly can be in good position throughout with Garcia in the saddle.

Race 2

#1 Mr. Jagermeister (2-5) owns a fine record of 8-7-1-0 on this oval. Last seen fading to an unplaced finish in the Apr. 18 Count Fleet (G3) at Oaklawn, the 5-year-old is a seven-time winner at this distance and posted a bullet 4-furlong work in :47 1/5 at Canterbury six days ago for trainer Lund, who wins with 10% of her runners that have not raced for 46-90 days. Bay can be on or near the early lead with Gonclaves riding.

Race 6

Another suited by this surface is #5 Ready to Runaway (2-1), who has won 5-of-7 of her starts at Canterbury. The 4-year-old reeled off three straight stakes wins in 2019, and daughter of First Dude looks poised to take a step forward off a third at Oaklawn last out for trainer Robertson, who wins with 30% of his runners in non-graded stakes. Dark bay can be in good position throughout with Canchari up.