Honey Fox Exotics Plays

A total of 11 fillies and mares will jaunt one mile on the Gulfstream Park grass in the $150,000 Honey Fox S. (G3) on Saturday. The affair features a plethora of early types in the field and appears to be a fantastic spot to spread with multiple runners and to cash some healthy tickets. 

Honey Fox Wagers

• $4 exacta key box 4 with 2,3,5 ($24)
• $1 trifecta box 2,3,4,5 ($24)

One horse that is a must-use in the field for me is the Todd Pletcher-trained #4 Spansive. The Karakontie four-year-old debuted at Gulfstream in April and led throughout to graduate at first asking, and the Repole color bearer similarly led at every call in a subsequent allowance heist at Belmont Park in her second assignment. 

The $145,000 juvenile buy concluded her 2023 campaign with a decent fourth in the Wonder Again S. (G2) while forwardly placed, but she showed a new dimension in her four-year-old bow. Spansive broke slowly from the 11 post in her comeback event on this surface and was stuck behind slow early splits, prior to putting in a strong late run to be fourth and earning a 104 Brisnet Late Pace, in the process. While she is not the most accomplished contender in the cast, I expect Jose Ortiz to be patient with her early and to be a menacing figure in the stretch. The price should be right, too. 

#5 Walkathon has raced her way back into shape for Ian Wilkes following a long absence and is regaining her solid three-year-old form. This Grade 3 heroine was a measured winner of the Endeavour S. (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs last time out when leading throughout, but she has shown the versatility to run from off the pace in the past, and I expect her to be unhurried early and finishing fast in the lane under Julien Leparoux. The Twirling Candy mare will be of good value, as well. 

Saffie Joseph will saddle #2 Candy Light for the second time following purchasing her for $300,000 in November. A winner in her 2024 debut on the synthetic, the five-year-old is far from a win machine but she is a stakes heroine with a consistently good late kick. Tyler Gaffalione will guide the top-three player.

#3 Be My Sunshine, also for Joseph, has been more patient in her last pair of outings with good results to show for it, and her best effort will make her dangerous with clear sailing in the lane. Junior Alvarado has the call. 

#5 Walkathon has raced her way back into shape for Ian Wilkes following a long absence and is regaining her solid three-year-old form. Grade 3 heroine was a measured winner of the Endeavour S. (G3) at Tampa Bay downs last time out when leading throughout, but she has shown the versatility to run from off the pace in the past, and I expect her to be unhurried early and finishing fast in the lane under Leparoux. Twirling Candy mare will be of good value, as well. 

Saffie Joseph will saddle #2 Candy Light for the second time following purchasing her for $300,000 in November. A winner in her 2024 debut on the synthetic, the five-year-old is far from a win machine but she is a stakes heroine with a consistently good late kick. Tyler Gaffalione will guide the top-three player.

#3 Be My Sunshine, also for Joseph, has been more patient in her last pair of outings with good results to show for it, and her best effort will make her dangerous with clear sailing in the lane. Junior Alvarado has the call.