Handicapping Gulfstream’s Late Pick 4 on Friday

Gulfstream Park’s late Pick 4 sequence for Friday, February 1, starts in Race 8 with post time at 3:39pm Eastern.

The first leg – Race 8 – drew seven sophomore fillies. It is a $25,000 claiming event over six furlongs on the main track. #1 Tracy Ann’s Legacy is coming off a maiden win at this level on the grass from January 4. #2 Blue Sky Venezuela broke her maiden two back and was third over this trip and at this level on January 10. #3 Rolling Bobby is dropping out of better company, but was not making an impact at that level. #5 Best Trebol is unbeaten in three starts, including one over this trip after arriving from the Dominican Republic. She had a solid workout on January 22 for this. #6 Mertz is two for three over the surface and has steps up the claim ladder once again.

The second leg – Race 9 – has a field of nine going five furlongs on the grass for a $25,000 tag. These are also three-year-old fillies. #1 Drama Free was fifth in a stakes race two back. #2 Feature Creature won last out with a Beyer Speed Figure of 60 and retains jockey John Velazquez. #4 Distinctly Blue makes her first start for a new barn with trainer Edward Schuster; she was previously trained by Dennis Ward at Tampa. #5 Shall Return is a logical choice; she won over this trip two back by 7 ¼ lengths and was second by a neck last out on the main track. 

The third leg – Race 10 – is a $6,250 claimer for older fillies and mares going six furlongs on the dirt. The field of eight consists of three seven-year-olds and five five-year-olds. #2 There Goes Bella was second at this level last out, earning a highest-in-the-field last out Beyer of 71. #6 Pure Bliss is making her 43^rdstart at Gulfstream and is seeking her seventh lifetime win. The warhorse has 57 starts overall with 24 top three efforts.

The final leg – Race 11 – is a mile on the grass for older colts and geldings. The one-mile grass event carries a tag of $16,000. There is a field of 13, with the outside horse, Ellas My Love, being entered for Main Track Only. #8 Slot Receiver has won his last two starts, both at this level. #9 Family Kitten won his only try at the distance on the grass; that was at Woodbine in August. #4 Nauti Buoy, #6 Cotton To, #11 Wigwam Summer and #12 Just the Facts exit the same race, with Just the Facts doing the best of all of them with a second-place effort.

The 11 race card starts at noon Eastern.