Wednesday's Racing Picks 01/08: Gulfstream Park

The first full race week of 2020 continues at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida with a $65,000 maiden claiming race (purse: $40,000) for 3-year-old fillies over one mile on the turf.  The field of 8 will go to gate for race 4 on the 9-race card with an approximate post time of 2:35 p.m. ET.

#8, Harmonic Thunder, Javier Castellano, 7-2

Only one start last year, a disappointing 10th-place finish in a maiden special weight race here on Dec. 8. Javier Castellano takes the mount for hot trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., who just won last Saturday’s $100,000 Mucho Macho Man Stakes here with Chance It. The jockey switch and a race under her belt, I’m taking a shot. The pick.

#6, Hey Kitten, Irad Ortiz, Jr., 8-5

Today marks her fifth career start (0-1-1) and she has finished in the money in two of her last three starts. In her first race here in her last, she finished sixth in a maiden special weight race on Dec. 8. Irad Ortiz, Jr. gets the call for trainer Rodolphe Brisset. The morning-line favorite will have a say, I just hope it’s not too much. Runner-up.

#5, Omnia, Julien Leparoux, 8-1

With two maiden special weight starts at Churchill Downs on Sept. 26 (7th) and Nov. 30 (10th), Omnia hopes a chance of scenery will do her some good Julien Leparoux is in the saddle for trainer Ian Wilkes. Contender.

#3, Unexplainable, Emisael Jaramillo, 9-2

She has raced only once in a maiden special weight race here on Dec. 7, finishing seventh. Also another runner looking for more experience as Emisael Jaramillo has the mount for trainer Ralph Nicks. In the mix.

PICKS: 8-6-5-3

By Lou Monaco