How to bet Gulfstream's $6,624 Super High 5 carryover

Saturday is going to be an action-packed day at Gulfstream Park. The 13-race card contains nine stakes (eight of them graded), including the Fountain of Youth S. (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

The opening race on the card is modest by comparison—it’s a $12,500 allowance optional claimer for Florida-breds sprinting seven furlongs on dirt. But bettors should still be keen to give Race 1 a look, since it boasts a $6,624 carryover in the $1 Super High 5.

A dozen horses have been entered, and since outside posts perform well in seven-furlong dirt sprints at Gulfstream, we shouldn’t be too alarmed by the fact morning line favorite #12 You’re Killin Me (5-2) has drawn post 12. The seven-year-old gelding hasn’t missed the board in his last 13 starts and enters off a decisive 2 3/4-length victory racing one mile over this track and class level on Feb. 10.

You’re Killin Me consistently throws down Brisnet Speed ratings in the 88-93 range, stamping him among the fastest horses in Saturday’s field. He has enough tactical speed to stay in touch early under jockey Tyler Gaffalione (a solid 19% winner at Gulfstream), so all signs suggest You’re Killin Me can produce a sharp run in his first start since being claimed by trainer Mike Maker.

#5 Tiger (5-1) and #9 Friendly Fella (8-1), second and third behind You’re Killin Me on Feb. 10, are logical contenders to use underneath. And #3 Ampersand (15-1), who has placed multiple times over this track and class level, is an appealing longshot play.

But the greatest threat to You’re Killin Me might be #6 Jess’s Stride (6-1). The lightly raced four-year-old hasn’t been seen in action since July 4, when he romped by 2 1/2 lengths in an unrestricted maiden special weight sprinting six furlongs at Gulfstream Park. This impressive victory produced a 90 Brisnet Speed rating.

The layoff is an obvious question mark for Jess’s Stride, but he’s turned in a couple of bullet workouts in preparation for his return (including a half mile in :47 4/5 at Palm Meadows), so a competitive effort should be in the offing. Squaring off against fellow Florida-breds can help his chances.

Here’s how we’ll bet the Super High 5:

• $1 Super High 5: 12 with 6 with 5,9 with 3,4,5,9 with 3,4,5,7,8,9,10 ($30)
• $1 Super High 5: 12 with 5,9 with 6 with 3,4,5,9 with 3,4,5,7,8,9,10 ($30)
  Total: $60

Good luck!