Thursday Racing Picks: Gulfstream Park
PICK: #5 Shes All Woman (Race 9 - Gulfstream Park)
#5, Shes All Woman, Edgar Prado, 2-1
She has placed second in three straight and four of her last five starts. In her last, she finished second in an allowance optional claiming race here on Feb. 23 and is looking for her first win since a triumph in a starter optional claiming race at Santa Anita on April 27. Edgar Prado is in the saddle for trainer Robert Hess, Jr.
Verdict: The pick
#3, Flora Fantasy, Irad Ortiz, Jr., 8-5
The morning-line favorite has finished in the money in 20 of 28 career starts (7-4-9) and in her last won an allowance optional claiming race by ¾ of a length over my choice, Shes All Woman, here on Feb. 23. This will be her 26th career start here. Irad Ortiz, Jr. is on board for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr.
Verdict: Runner-up.
#1, Gioielli, John Velazquez, 3-1
This will be her eighth career start (1-2-2, all at Gulfstream Park) and her third this year (0-0-2), including two straight third-place finishes in allowance optional claiming races here on Jan. 31 and Feb. 21. John Velazquez has the usual mount for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Verdict: Contender.