Holland's North American free picks for Dec. 17

Tim Holland offers his expert picks for Gulfstream Park, Los Alamitos, and Turfway Park.

Gulfstream Park

Race 1

Blinkers are added to #3 Never My Love (7-2) off a weakening fourth-place finish facing better in her debut over 6 furlongs at Gulfstream West last month. Daughter of Gone Astray is a half-sister to one winner and trainer Cibelli wins with 25% of her runners dropping two classes and 18% with blinkers for the first time. Dark bay figures to be sent early under Lopez, who has won with two of his last 11 rides for the barn.

Los Alamitos

Race 2

#9 Queen Stormborn (9-2) has not been seen since hitting the rail and losing her rider early on turf at Del Mar in early September, but showed early speed when third on the main track there two back. Daughter of Into Mischief is a half-sister to two winners and trainer Papaprodromou wins with 11% of his runners in maiden claiming events. Filly may be fastest early with Fuentes in the saddle.

Turfway Park

Race 5

Maidens on the Tapeta surface include #3 Organza (20-1), a debuting daughter of young sire Upstart, whose offspring have won 19% of their first outings. Trainer Ennis wins with just 5% of his first-time starters, but works include a sharp 5-furlong move from the gate in 1:00 eight days ago. Filly is a half-sister to four winners and is worth a shot at long odds with Padron-Barcenas up.

Race 6

Trainer Stidham has won with 20% of his runners this year and saddles #8 La Croix Valmer (12-1), who rallied from off the pace to break her maiden at Woodbine in her latest last month in her first start on an all-weather surface. Daughter of Malibu Moon is a full sister to Moon De French, who finished third in the Lady’s Secret (G1), and Stidham wins with 18% of his runners that broke their maiden last time out. Bay can be in good position from the start under Corrales, who has won with one of his last two rides for the barn.