Holland's North American Spot Plays for April 17

by Tim Holland

Gulfstream

Race 3

#6 Sensational Ride (10-1) was claimed by Oscar Gonzalez when giving way badly to finish unplaced over the track and distance as the favorite in his latest last month. Gonzalez wins with 18% of his runners first time off the claim and gelding has a record of 23-11-5-2 at this distance. Son of Dunkirk figures to be sent early with Reyes in the irons.

Race 6

Trainer Dobles wins with 17% of her runners that have not raced for 46-90 days and saddles #7 Royal Squeeze (6-1), who has not been seen since finishing unplaced in the Sunshine Million Sprint over 6-furlongs in January. Chestnut returns to best distance, over which he owns a record of 14-6-1-2, and has won 9-of-19 starts on this oval. Son of Wildcat Heir holds an experience edge over several in here, and can be in good position from the start under Zayas.

Race 9

Sprinters going 6-furlongs include #2 Yodel E A. Who (7-2), who was last seen when closing from just off the pace to narrowly miss when second in a small stakes here in mid-February. Gelding has a record of 10-3-4-2 on this track and has been working well for trainer Joseph, who wins with 24% of runners that have not raced for 46-90 days. Son of Creative Cause can be in good position from the start with Zayas remaining aboard.

Race 10

With rain forecast, the finale may come off the turf, but #1 King of Rock (12-1) is worth a look on either surface. Son of young sire Race Day gets blinkers added after a well-beaten fourth place finish in his debut over 5-furlongs in a maiden special weight event in February. Works include a 4-furlong bullet move in :48 3/5 eight days ago for trainer Gargan, who wins with 25% that have not raced for 46-90 days and with 33% going a route distance for the first time. Dark bay figures to be on or near the lead from the start with Lopez named to ride.

Oaklawn

Race 4

#4 Fallstar (12-1) has lost several steps since finishing a good second behind the talented West Coast early in his career, but will face the easiest competition yet in his first start for trainer Hartman. Gelding was last seen fading to finish unplaced on grass at Houston and has posted several good 4-furlong works on this oval for Hartman, who wins with 18% of his runners first time for his barn. Son of Speightstown has early speed and can be in the mix from the start under De La Cruz, who has won with one of last nine rides for the barn.

Race 6

Maidens include #10 Smart Call (8-1), who has not been seen since showing little in his debut over six furlongs in a maiden special weight event at Fair Grounds in January, from which race the first three finishers have all won since. Son of Empire Maker is out of Washington Bridge, who won the Bayakoa (G2) and works include a solid 5-furlong move in 1:00 2/5 recently for trainer Catalano, who wins with 16% of runners that have not raced for 46-90 days. $240K yearling purchase may show more here with Rosario seeing fit to ride.

Tampa

Race 5

Lasix is added to #3 Not Telling (6-1), who comes off a third-place finish in an even effort in his debut at this level just under two weeks ago. Son of Telling is a half-brother to two winners and trainer Connelly wins with 20% of her runners with Lasix for the first time. Gelding can be in good position throughout and Allen remains aboard.

Race 8

Trainer Baxter has won with 33% of her runners shipping to Tampa and saddles #5 Small Fortune (5-1), who has a record of 3-2-1-0 on this oval. Gray has not been seen since weakening to finish second over the track and distance last November, but Baxter wins with 21% of runners that have not raced for 90 days or more. Son of Munnings can be in good position throughout under Gallardo, who won on the gelding twice last year.