North American Spot Plays for Thursday, April 2

by Tim Holland

Gulfstream

RELATED: Gulfstream Park Early Pick 5 analysis for April 2 by Scott Shapiro

Race 1

Trainer Ward wins with 30% of his first-time starters and saddles #2 She’s Just Quality (4-1), a debuting daughter of good first out sire Quality Road who is a half-sister to three winners on grass. Ward does well with fillies facing males and solid work tab includes a recent half-mile move in :47 1/5 on grass at Palm Meadows. Three-year-old appears ready to win at first asking with Davis riding.

Race 4

#8 Mimina’s Team (7-2) made a move to the lead before settling to finish second over the course and distance in her latest in February. Daughter of Uncle Mo is out of a half-sister to Champion Falbrav, who finished third in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1). Filly is a half-sister to two winners on turf and finished second to subsequent stakes winner Highland Girl two back for trainer D'Angelo, who wins with 13% of his runners on grass. $110K yearling purchase can be in good position from the start with Zayas retaining the mount.

Race 8

Sprinters on turf go 5-furlongs here including #2 Fallen Leaf (7-2), who not been seen since weakening to finish fourth after opening up on a clear early lead at this distance at Gulfstream West in November. Dark bay has a record of 21-3-3-2 on this turf and posted a sharp 3-furlongs work in :35 4/5 nine days ago for trainer Baxter, who wins with 22% of runners that have not raced for 90 days or more. Six-year-old figures to be the one to catch with good speed rider Jaramillo in the irons.

Race 9

Full field of maidens on grass in the finale and trainer Brown sends out #5 Pricing Exercise (4-1) for his second outing. Son of promising young sire Palace Malice took money as the favorite in his debut but was bumped early and a touch rank while wide in an unplaced effort. $270K yearling purchase is out of a daughter of Grade 2 winner Dance Colony, and has worked well since her first start for Brown who wins with 29% of his second-time starters. Bay can be in good position throughout with Rosario in the irons.

Golden Gate

RELATED: Late Pick 3 play at Golden Gate Thursday by James Scully

Race 3

Trainer Navarre has won with a high 43% of runners at this meet and saddles #3 Cash for Cass (4-1), who comes off a second-place finish over a mile, from which race the winner returned to win next time out. Daughter of Exchange Rate has a record of 8-1-3-3 on this oval and makes her second start since being claimed by Navarre, who won with one of last three runners going from a route to a sprint. Filly can be along from off the pace with Pena retaining the mount.

Race 4

Newcomer #11 H and R’s Girl (20-1) has a good win early pedigree being by 14% first out sire Smiling Tiger and out of a mare by Synastry whose offspring also win 14% of their first outings. Chestnut is half-sister to 10 winners and has worked steadily for trainer Galvin, who won with two of his last 10 first time starters. $32K yearling purchase drew a wide post, but is worth a look with Lopez riding.

Oaklawn

Race 1

Full field of state-bred maidens in the opener includes #3 Dynamic Julie (12-1), who debuts for trainer Witt who won with three of his last nineteen first time starters. Daughter of speedy sire Hamazing Destiny is a half-sister to six winners and works include a solid 4-furlongs move in :49 3/5 last month. Chestnut is likely ready for a good first outing under Quinonez, who has won with one of last eight rides for this barn.

Race 5

#8 New Mexico (9-2) tries claiming company for the first time off a fading unplaced effort in an allowance over the track and distance in late-February. Son of Malibu Moon has won one of six career starts for trainer Asmussen, who wins with 21% of his runners first time for a tag. Dark bay has early speed and can be in good position from the start and tough at this level under Santana, who has won with 21% of rides for the barn in the past two months.

Race 8

A competitive allowance over 6-furlongs drew a full field including #11 Josie (7-2), who comes off a closing fourth place finish as the favorite over 5 ½ furlongs on grass at Fair Grounds in February in her first start since November. Daughter of promising young sire Race Day is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Prospective and has a record of 4-1-1-2 at this distance on dirt for trainer Cox, who wins with 28% making this surface change. With plenty of early speed signed on, $170K 2-year-old purchase can get a good trip under Talamo, who has won with 28% of rides for the barn in the last 60 days.