$250k Gulfstream Park Oaks

$250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2)

Gulfstream Park

Race 8 (Saturday, March 30, 2019: 3:00 p.m./ET; 12:00 p.m./PT)
Mile and a sixteenth on the main track (three-year-old fillies)

The Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) is one of seven graded stakes races on the 14-race program this Saturday at Gulfstream Park. A field of seven looks to earn a berth into the Kentucky Oaks (G1) with a victory in this Grade 2 contest. An in-depth look at each entrant is coming your way, so let’s get to it:

#1 SAFTA makes her second lifetime start. In her first career race, she broke from the gate slowly, sat off the pace and rallied for third in a maiden special weight six-furlong sprint. She routes for the first time in this spot and faces a lot tougher than what she saw in the career debut. Has many obstacles to hurdle.

#2 SHACKLETTE broke her maiden in lifetime start number eleven in a six-furlong, maiden $50K claiming event. In her lone start since then, she defeated starter allowance optional claiming company going one mile. Her best races have come going one turn and the bump up in class is significant. Siding with others.

#3 POINT OF HONOR broke her maiden by six lengths in her career debut, going one-mile-and-a-sixteenth over this track, and came back two months later and easily defeated stakes company at Tampa Bay Downs. Javier Castellano was aboard for her most recent victory and retains the mount. Improving filly is a contender.

#4 BELLA CIAO most recently ran second in an allowance race going a one-turn mile over this track. Her only career two-turn race was a distant loss in the Darley Alcibiades (G1) at Keeneland as a two-year-old, but her most notable effort came when completing the superfecta in the Spinaway (G1) at Saratoga. Passing.

#5 CHAMPAGNE ANYONE adds blinkers for trainer Ian Wilkes, who wins at a 14% clip when adding ‘the hood’. This gal comes off a third place finish behind #7 COOKIE DOUGH in the one (turn) mile Davona Dale (G2). Her last win came in an allowance race at Keeneland as a two-year-old and she has hit the board in two straight graded stakes events over this track. Merits a second look.

#6 DUNBAR ROAD, a $350K yearling purchase, was well fancied before her career debut and scored an eye-popping eight-and-three-quarter-length romp in a maiden special weight race going one mile. Daughter of QUALITY ROAD has top human connections on her side in Irad Ortiz Jr. and Chad Brown. May be up to the task.

#7 COOKIE DOUGH stretches back out to two turns after a solid second place finish in the Davona Dale (G2) while earning a high Beyer Speed Figure (90). Her only start at this distance resulted in a seven length victory against two-year-old Florida breds last year. Keep in mind this Florida-bred daughter of BRETHEREN was coming off a five month layoff in the Davona Dale (G2). This will be the acid test.

SELECTIONS

1. #6 DUNBAR ROAD – Might be the real deal.
2. #5 CHAMPAGNE ANYONE – Has run well in graded stakes races.
3. #7 COOKIE DOUGH – Davona Dale (G2) effort was terrific.

LONGSHOT VALUE PLAY-#3 POINT OF HONOR – Undefeated so far.

WAGERING STRATEGY

I’ll make a win bet on my top choice and box my top two selections and longshot value play in exactas.

BANKROLL PLAY ($50 Budget)

$20 Win: #6 DUNBAR ROAD

$5 Exacta Box: #6 DUNBAR ROAD and #5 CHAMPAGNE ANYONE and #3 POINT OF HONOR ($30).