Horses to play in the Super High 5 carryovers at Gulfstream, Turfway

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares horses to play in a pair of Saturday Super High 5 carryovers at Gulfstream Park and Turfway Park.

Gulfstream Park, Race 1: $10,647 Super High 5 carryover (11:50 a.m. ET)

The opening race on a stakes-packed Saturday at Gulfstream Park features a $10,647 carryover in the $1 Super High 5. But winning a share won’t be easy.

Race 1 is a $20,000 claimer for horses who have never won two races. The distance is 7 1/2 furlongs on turf, and 14 horses have been entered, equating to 240,240 possible Super High 5 outcomes before scratches.

But here’s the problem: only 12 horses are allowed to start, which means a couple of the entrants are on the also-eligible list. And that includes morning line favorite #13 Board Certified (5-2), runner-up in a 1 1/16-mile contest over this course and class level on Jan. 15.

Board Certified brings sharp Brisnet Speed ratings to the table and is worth playing on top if a scratch allows him to compete. Otherwise, the race is tough to analyze. We might favor #14 Quantum Theory (5-1), who finished two lengths behind Board Certified after setting the pace on Jan. 15, except he’s the second also-eligible and is even less likely to start than Board Certified.

At least we know #7 Warp Speed Baby (4-1) has a spot in the gate. He hasn’t missed the board in his last seven starts, including three over this class level. The five-year-old gelding has enough tactical speed to stay out of traffic trouble in this large field and might be worth keying on top if Board Certified and Quantum Theory fail to draw in.

Turfway Park, Race 8: $3,703 Super High 5 carryover (9:25 p.m. ET)

If you miss out on taking down the Super High 5 carryover at Gulfstream Park, no worries—you can shift gears and instead focus on Turfway’s Park $3,703 Super High 5 carryover.

The prize pool for the $1 wager is up for grabs in Race 8, a $5,000 claimer taking place over one mile on Tapeta. A dozen horses have been entered, equating to 95,040 possible Super High 5 outcomes.

There are many viable win contenders in this competitive field, so we recommend thinking outside the box a bit with #6 Pauping (8-1). Three starts back, Pauping used pacesetting speed to win a $6,250 claimer at Presque Isle Downs, after which he shipped to Turfway to run fourth in an $8,000 claimer and eighth in a $12,500 claimer.

Dropping down to the $5,000 level should be a perfect fit for Pauping. He has competitive Brisnet Speed ratings under his belt and looks ready to outrun his 8-1 morning line odds. Playing Pauping on top at a price sounds appealing.

Good luck!