Horse Betting World

The Spectacular Bid Stakes at Gulfstream Park

By Aaron Huber

The Spectacular Bid is a six-furlong dash run at the beginning of the Gulfstream Park meet each year. It’s always a great race to watch because it is one of the first stakes of the season for 3-year-olds and features a wide assortment of horses – who will go on to race at both sprint and classic distances.

1 Winchill

Likes to sit right off the pace and won his last start at double digit odds by trailing the leader by just a head nearly the entire race. Anytime a speed horse like this draws the rail in a sprint it’s a good sign. If he gets a clean trip – he’ll be the one to beat.

2 Wildcat Formation

Won his last start by almost 10 lengths over a much weaker field at Calder. Looks to be the early speed in this race – but has never raced against winners.

3 Grande Shores

Took six races before he broke his maiden at Calder – but was competitive in the Dr. Fager in the Florida Stallion Stakes in his 2nd to last race. His speed figures are amongst the best of the field and Florida based trainer Stanley Gold should never be underestimated.

4 War for Gus

Lots of changes for War for Gus – he gets a new trainer and is switching from turf to dirt. No published workouts between November 1st and December 14th usually isn’t a good sign, but if there were any health issues he seems to be on the right track as his last three works were solid.

5 Leave of Absence

A broke his maiden in his last start at Aquaduct in November before they moved to the inner-track. He could be the one to give Winchill some trouble if he goes to the lead.

6 Gangsterontherun

Won his last five-furlong dash by a whopping 9 lengths at Parx – but will be facing a much tougher field this time around. He came down to Florida in mid-November but didn’t make any starts a Calder. Trainer Wesley Ward has a 23% win rate for horses coming off of their maiden win in their next start.

7 Dual Exhauzt

This hard-knocking Calder horse has 2 wins to his resume including his last start at six-furlongs. He has the highest speed figure of any horse in the field and likes to grab the lead early. The only problem is that he has an outside post position – and there are several off the pace / front runners in here – so how he handles all the other horses who go to the front is the main question.

8 Cane Garden Bay

A winner over the synthetic at Keeneland was also a 5th place finisher in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. While clearly outmatched in that mile 1/16 race – he’s looking to improve by cutting back to a shorter distance.

9 Determinato

Was next to last coming out of the Jack Price Juvenile and is looking to get back on the right track. Would not recommend betting on this one in his first start in 56 days after such a dull performance.

SELECTIONS #1 Winchill … #3 Grande Shores … #7 Dual Exhauzt