Pick 3 play at Gulfstream Saturday

Gulfstream Park will offer a 13-race card Saturday, and #7 Colonel Liam will make his career debut in race 8, a one-mile maiden special weight.

A 3-year-old son of Liam’s Map, Colonel Liam sold for $1.2 million at last year’s OBS April sale after breezing a quarter-mile in :20 4/5. He counts multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire Wonder Again as his second maternal dam, and this is the female family of Grade 3-winning juvenile Ten City.

Colonel Liam joined the worktab in mid-January for Todd Pletcher, who wins at a 23% clip with first-time starters and likes to unveil his prime stock on Saturday programs, and the gray colt shows a recent 5-furlong bullet work in preparation. This doesn’t look like the toughest spot, and Colonel Liam should be prime for his best with Luis Saez.

Listed at 5-2 on the morning line, Colonel Liam may not offer much value in the straight pools. I will take a swing at Pick 3, singling Colonel Liam to start the sequence.

Race 9 has a lukewarm 3-1 morning line favorite on the morning line, and a case can be made for all eight runners entered for turf in the optional claiming event. I will use the “all” button.

In Race 10, #1 Boerne will take some beating following a sharp front-running maiden win on March 15 that netted a field-best 87 Brisnet Speed rating. The rail post looks like no picnic with other pace entered, and #6 Chart is eligible to be along in time if the speed falters. The filly rallied to post a convincing tally when debuting in mid-January, and I will draw a line through her last effort following a tough trip from the rail post. Chart makes her first attempt for new trainer Mark Casse.

• $2 Pick 3 ticket (race 8)
• 7 with All with 1,6 ($16)

Good luck Saturday!