Horse Betting World

Gulfstream Park Feature Betting Race Analysis – February 24

By Joey Adams

Horse Betting favorites in turf sprints at Gulfstream Park are winning below 30%, and that is after the “chalk” went two-for-two in a pair of turf dashes Monday. Thursday’s feature race brings together a full field of fillies and mares going five furlongs on the grass in a $62,500 optional claimer, and it appears to be a wide-open betting affair.

1-DEE’S ROSE (6/1) was favored against some of these last time out but suffered through a rough trip over a turf course labeled “good.” Since last fall she has been in a pattern of winning every-other start, so today could be a good time to jump onboard – especially considering she was 7/5 under these conditions last time out and begins at 6/1 today.

10-BELLA MONETA (7/2) is the morning-line favorite, but she’s a tepid choice. She began the meet with a win over the main track for trainer Nick Canani and Frank Calabrese. Claimed from that race by Dominic Galluscio, she promptly scored for those new connections, winning at this distance on grass. Sensing they lost a good thing, Canani and Calabrese jumped right back in and re-claimed her, paying an additional $7,000. She’s stepping way up from the $32,000 level but it would be foolish to discount her chances.

4-ROYAL TAAT (20/1) is a huge price, and she was beaten just two lengths under these conditions last time out – while nearly half today’s morning-line price. That was her first start since last August and she now has the benefit of a race and two additional works. Although she hasn’t won since January 2009, she was competitive against graded stakes company in California.

11-EMBROIDERY (4/1) is a half-sister to Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile-G1 winner Furthest Land, and she won 2-of-4 starts last year before hitting the sidelines in July. Her biggest effort came right here at Gulfstream when she broke maiden at this distance under today’s rider Joe Bravo. She’s a need-the-lead type, drawn outside against plenty of other speed, and she shows only two works for her return.

12-SPITEFUL GYPSY (6/1) has a win and a second from two starts sprinting over the turf. That runner-up effort came in a stake against the talented Rose Catherine. She’s been away since August and hasn’t exactly been burning up the track in the morning. Like Embroidery, she is a need-the-lead type and drawn even further outside.

5-NATALICAT (8/1) followed up her win at Tampa Bay Downs with a solid second against these on January 28. She now has a 6-3-1-1 record on turf and can make an impact again if she continues to hold form, but probably needs to take a step forward to win this.

Turf sprints are often favorites among handicappers and it’s easy to see why – they usually draw large, competitive fields which give the bettor many options. Thursday’s feature race at Gulfstream Park appears to be a perfect example.

The Bets:

Win/Place … 1-DEE’S ROSE

Exacta … 1-10 / 1-4-10-11-12

Trifecta … 1-10 / 1-4-10-11-12 / 1-4-5-6-7-10-11-12

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