$200,000 Fort Lauderdale (G2)
Gulfstream Park
Race 11 (Saturday, December 15, 2018: 5:06 p.m./ET; 2:06 p.m./PT)
Mile and an eighth on the turf (three-year-olds and upward)
The last race on a stakes filled Saturday card at Gulfstream Park is an epic edition of the Fort Lauderdale (G2), featuring a star-studded field of 14 (with two also-eligibles). Good luck figuring out this puzzle:
#1 GLORIOUS EMPIRE (IRE) won by four lengths in an allowance race at Delaware Park the last time he ran at this nine-furlong distance. Since then, he’s won a pair of graded stakes, the Bowling Green (G2) and the Sword Dancer (G1), but was eased in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). He’s facing four other Grade I winners in this spot, so this isn’t an easy comeback race by any means. Poor run last time was concerning; mixed feelings for that reason.
#2 QUARTETO DE CORDAS (BRZ) is a Group 1 winner in Brazil that made his first start in North America in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), losing by 34 lengths that day. He makes his first start on Lasix today, but his best races in South America came going longer than nine furlongs. We’ll see.
#3 PROJECTED (GB) has hit the board (but failed to win) in all six of his races in 2018, including finishing behind a trio of winners that are all entered here: #4 QURBAAN, #13 DOCTOR MOUNTY and #14 INSPECTOR LYNLEY. May best be used underneath in exotic wagers, if at all.
#4 QURBAAN makes his first start in three months for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Was last seen running third in the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) and, two starts ago, made his first start in the United States and beat #3 PROJECTED in the Bernard Baruch (G2) at Saratoga. Likes to sit off the pace and make one run.
#5 HI HAPPY (ARG) is the third runner in the field coming off a poor finish (ninth beaten 23 lengths) in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). He finished behind #1 GLORIOUS EMPIRE in a pair of races earlier in the year and was defeated by #6 BLACKTYPE two starts back in the Knickerbocker (G2) going this distance. Previous to that, he won the Man O’War (G1) at Belmont and the Pan American (G2) here. His form earlier in the year was better, no doubt, but he has plenty of back class and his best effort makes him a legit player.
#6 BLACKTYPE (FR) defeated #5 HI HAPPY and #13 INSPECTOR LYNLEY over good ground in the Knickerbocker (G2) in his last start in October and freshens up for this run for trainer Christophe Clement. This gelding has the speed to go to the lead but can also stalk the pace if need-be. A rather inconsistent type, he has won three of six races this year, with the other three being off the board finishes. Another that is a major contender if he runs his ‘A’ race.
#7 ALMANAAR (GB) finished tenth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) last time out but keep in mind he only finished three-and-a-quarter lengths behind the winner. He likes this turf course, losing by a neck in this race last year, then came back to win the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1) in his next start. Dangerous.
#8 OSCAR NOMINATED freshens up for trainer Mike Maker after a poor effort behind #12 ZULU ALPHA in the Sycamore (G3) going a mile-and-a-half at Keeneland. This ridgling has finished off the board in his last three starts and is arguably facing the toughest group he’s seen this year.
#9 MR HAVERCAMP, an Ontario-bred, most recently won the Autumn Stakes (G2) on the synthetic surface at Woodbine but is four-for-seven on the lawn, with his most recent grass starts resulting in a stylish win in the Play King (G2) three starts back and a respectable second in the Woodbine Mile (G1). However, may be a notch or two below the best signed on in here.
#10 DIVISIDERO ran an outstanding fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), only losing by three-quarters of a length to European invader EXPERT EYE. Should be marked as a contender.
#11 POSTULATION is 0 for 6 this year, but has hit the board in his past two starts. Will be one of the longer shots in the field.
#12 ZULU ALPHA most recently scored a sharp win in the Sycamore (G3). Cutting back in distance, he’ll be plenty fit for this and note that two starts ago he won an allowance race going a mile-and-a-sixteenth by almost 10 lengths, proving he’s not just effective going a ‘marathon’ distance. This is his first start for the high percentage Mike Maker stable, but he’s never faced a field this classy before. Will be the acid test.
#13 DOCTOR MOUNTY is one of two runners in this race trained by Shug McGaughey and most recently finished third in a minor stake at Laurel Park going this distance on the dirt. His only graded stakes win came two starts back going a mile on turf in the Baltimore/Washington International Turf Cup (G3) at Laurel. He draws a poor post and faces a tough group here. Would be a surprise.
#14 INSPECTOR LYNLEY is the second runner in this race trained by McGaughey and the one with a better chance to win, but like his stablemate, draws the misfortune of picking up an undesirable post position. His last two races have resulted in placing’s behind #4 QURBAAN, #5 RUNHAPPY and #6 BLACKTYPE. Top pilot Jose Ortiz rides and he’ll need to work out a good trip from this outside post.
#15 REVVED UP is on the also eligible list and would need a scratch to draw into the main body of the field.
#16 ZENNOR would need two defections to get in the race.
SELECTIONS
- #7 ALMANAAR – In Chad We Trust.
- #6 BLACKTYPE – Best last race Beyer Speed Figure.
- #5 HI HAPPY – Remained in steady training after Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).
LONGSHOT VALUE PLAY- #4 QURBAAN – Third start in the U.S for a top trainer.
WAGERING STRATEGY
I’ll box my top three picks in exactas and make a straight win bet on my top choice.
BANKROLL PLAY ($50 Budget)
$20 Win: #7 ALMANAAR
$5 Exacta Box: #5 HI HAPPY and #6 BLACKTYPE and #7 ALMANAAR ($30).
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