Saturday Stakes Plays for Gulfstream Park with Rated by Merit, Stunner Anchoring Picks

A pair of black-type races for Florida-bred juveniles will highlight the Saturday action at Gulfstream Park. 

Race 6 – My Dear Girl S. 

My Dear Girl Stakes Wagers:

$20 exacta 1 with 6 ($20)
$10 trifecta key 1 with 6,7 ($20)

My Dear Girl Stakes Analysis

A total of seven two-year-old ladies will run 1 1/16 miles on the dirt in the opening stakes race of the afternoon. I’m going to key Tempted S. heroine #1 Stunner (3-5) on top of a pair of fillies in the group. Trained by Brad Cox, the daughter of Girvin has run three nice ones to commence her career with a pair of wire-to-wire scores in succession as of late, and the $190,000 yearling purchase will appreciate the move in with Sunshine State foes in the affair. 

#6 Win N Your In (3-1), a dual stakes winner from her last trio of races, is the top local hope for Carlos David. The March foal was excellent at seven panels in her last run and should handle this distance with relative ease under Miguel Vasquez. 

#7 Fede (8-1) is obviously taking a big class hike from the maiden ranks, but I thought her graduating performance was quite good. The Adios Charlie homebred appears to be well suited to the two-turn test, and her outside draw is a benefit, as well. Leo Reyes will pilot the Armando De La Cerda pupil.  

Race 10 – In Reality S. 

In Reality Stakes Wagers:

$20 exacta 1 with 5 ($20)
$5 trifecta 1 with 7,8 with 5 ($10)

In Reality Stakes Analysis

A total of 10 boys will take center stage in a 1 1/16-mile dirt endeavor with #1 Rated by Merit (3-5) going for a sweep of the trio of Florida Sire Series stakes races for conditioner Michael Yates. The St. Elias Stable homebred has been much the best in each of his trio of career outings to date while registering robust Brisnet Speed figures (96, 101, 106) along the way. This Battalion Runner gray has been swift early and fast late in each of his performances in advance of Saturday, and the colt will endure a ground saving trip from the rail, as well. It will take a pretty determined effort to knock off the February foal. 

I’ll play the race giving the top choice the nod and side with Joe Orseno’s debut winner #5 Latch the Hatch (12-1) for a top-three result in his stakes debut. The gelded son of Curlin’s Honor was an upset victor over a sloppy, sealed surface at first asking and gives the impression of a youngster who will appreciate the added ground going forward. The $22,000 yearling purchase faces a tall task, undoubtedly, but I like the value that he will offer with Edgard Zayas picking up the mount which is a positive. 

#7 Classic of Course (8-1) and #8 Neoequos (7-2), who have both earned multiple stakes placings this campaign, will be included in some exotics plays, too.