Race 5 (Saturday, December 30, 2017: 2:05 p.m./ET; 11:05 a.m./PT)
Two miles on the turf (three-year-olds and upward)
A unique two-mile turf marathon highlights the 11-race card on Saturday at Gulfstream Park. Let’s analyze the field and try to identify those horses who may have the staying power to get this tough 16-furlong distance:
#1 INFINITE WISDOM won the mile-and five-eighths John’s Call Stakes at Saratoga in August before a second place finish in The Laurel Turf Cup. However, he most recently ran in The Sycamore Stakes (G3) and finished 26 lengths behind the winner. Something must have gone amiss that day, as he was given some time off, but he has come back to work regularly since that poor effort. Could rebound.
#2 RUN TIME makes his stakes debut after a nice allowance win going a mile-and-an-eighth over this turf surface. But the competition here is much tougher and the addition of seven more furlongs means this race is like a whole new ballgame. Pass.
#3 GOLD SHIELD earned a 100 Beyer Speed Figure while winning a mile-and-three-eighths allowance race at Aqueduct last month. A repeat of that effort would make this guy a major player. He finished less than a length behind #1 INFINITE WISDOM three starts back, but he looks to have improved since then and is one to consider.
#4 ENGLISH ILLUSION was a well beaten seventh in the mile-and-three-quarter Validictory Stakes (G3) at Woodbine over their synthetic surface in his last start. Is 1-for-10 on turf in his career and was well beaten in this race last year. A notch or two below the main contenders in this spot.
#5 HONOVI last won over a yielding turf course at Kentucky Downs three starts back. Gets a jock upgrade today, but one of the runners he finished behind last time, #2 RUN TIME, is also signed on here and that rival will be a longshot in this race. Is in tough.
#6 EL KURDO won 16 dirt races in South America before shipping to the U.S. for the Invitational Cup at Gulfstream Park on December 9, where he ran second over a sloppy surface. Has been competitive in the past on the turf, but has never run farther than a mile-and-a-quarter, so whether he wants to go this far is a question mark, and whether he has the class to beat the best signed on here is also an unknown.
#7 BULLARDS ALLEY put up one of the best long distance turf performances this year when winning the Canadian International (G1) at Woodbine in October by 10 lengths while earning a 114 Beyer Speed Figure. After that monstrous effort, he finished three-and three-quarter lengths behind TALISMANIC, BEACH PATROL and HIGHLAND REEL in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). Facing easier here, he’s very dangerous with his best run.
#8 INFOBEDAD (ARG) was last seen running second to DESTIN in the Las Vegas Marathon at a mile-and-three-quarters on Breeders’ Cup Day #1. Even though that race was run on dirt, this son of DANCING FOR ME has won twice on the lawn. Expect him to be forwardly placed.
SELECTIONS
- #3 GOLD SHIELD – Rapidly improving.
- #7 BULLARDS ALLEY – Class of this group.
- #1 INFINITE WISDOM – Has a solid resume if you toss his last race.
LOGSHOT VALUE PLAY- #8 INFOBEDAD – Speed.
WAGERING STRATEGY
I’ll make a straight win bet on my top selection.
BANKROLL PLAY ($50 Budget)
$50 Win: #3 GOLD SHIELD
(Bankroll at +$43.20 after 2017 Week #22 Based on $50 Wagers; +$24.60 last newsletter).
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