Stakes Selections for Gulfstream Park on Jan. 1

A trio of stakes races will highlight the Holiday card at Gulfstream Park on Friday.

Race 9 -- Janus S.

A talented field of turf dashers will sprint five panels on the lawn in the first stakes race of the afternoon. #8 The Critical Way is far from the class of the field, but the peaking son of Tizway is the speed of the cast and got a fine outside draw. Dark bay 7-year-old is a head shy of winning three straight, and he will be tough at a price if he clears under Paco Lopez.

Grade 2 winner #4 Imprimis and Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) fourth #7 Extravagant Kid are obviously the ones to beat and must also be included in most wagers. I will be playing a trifecta box with the trio of contenders.

Race 10 -- Cash Run S.

A field of 10 newly turned sophomore fillies will travel a mile on the dirt in a competitive affair. #2 Gulf Coast gets the slight edge for conditioner Rodolphe Brisset. Bay daughter of Union Rags beat an average cast at Indiana Grand at first asking prior to rallying for runner-up honors in the Sandpiper S. at Tampa, and she gives the impression of a filly who will prosper with the added ground on Friday. Irad Ortiz Jr. taking the reins adds to the appeal.

Race 11 -- Abundantia S.

Fillies and mares will dash five-eighths on the grass in the finale. While #1 Victory Kingdom is still eligible for a first-level allowance tilt, I feel that she has a lot of ability and rates a big chance off the bench for Brisset. The Team Valor color bearer gave a fine impression of herself when a close second in the Ontario Fashion (G3) at Woodbine two back, and she will relish the return to the lawn beneath Leparoux.

#7 Dixieincandyland has the right running style to make a late push at a square number for Kenneally. Candy Ride 5-year-old was a sharp allowance heroine on the course in April, and she has exotics appeal with Gaffalione up.