Holland's North American free picks for Dec. 20

Tim Holland offers his racing picks for Gulfstream Park, Aqueduct, and Fair Grounds.

Gulfstream Park

Race 7

Todd Pletcher wins with 23% of his first-time starters and saddles #8 Unbridled d’Oro (3-1), a debuting daughter of 13% first-out sire Medaglia d’Oro who is out of Ballerina (G1) winner Unbridled Forever. Filly has been working well and Pletcher has made a good start to this meet, winning with 32% of his runners. Bay is likely ready for a good first outing under Irad Ortiz, who has won with 44% of his rides for the barn.

Aqueduct

Race 2

#4 Secret Love (4-1) impressed when rallying from just off the pace to win her debut at this distance at Belmont in September. Daughter of good, young sire Not This Time is out of a mare by A. P. Indy who has produced three other winners and trainer Kimmel wins with 13% of his runners that have not raced for 46-90 days. Chestnut cost $270K earlier this year and can be in good position from the start with Carmouche taking the mount.

Fair Grounds

Race 3

Maidens on turf include #4 Devil’s Fire (8-1), who tries grass for the first time with blinkers removed off a fading unplaced effort after being involved in fast early fractions at Keeneland over 6 furlongs in October in her second outing. Colt should be suited to the surface and distance being by Daredevil and out of a mare by Indian Charlie and trainer Heitzmann wins with 13% of his runners that have not raced for 46-90 days. Bay figures to be sent early under Pedroza, who has won with his last ride for this barn.

Race 9

#6 Adventuring (6-1) made progress while wide when third on the main track over one mile and 70 yards in her debut here late last month. Trainer Cox wins with 26% of his second-time starters and filly should be suited to grass being by Pioneerof the Nile and out of a mare by Hard Spun, who has produced one winner on turf. Bay can be along from off the pace with Bridgmohan remaining aboard.