Mr. Ed’s Best Bets for Gulfstream
SPRINGTIME RACING IN SIGHT: With another severe storm pounding the Northeast, Mr. Ed returns to the warmer, sunny climes of South Florida for an 11-race, mid-January card at Gulfstream Park. Next Saturday’s exceptional Pegasus Stakes program (see below) at GP marks the official end to Our Winter of Discontent. Nearly every weekend between now and the Kentucky Derby in early May will offer high-stakes racing at a variety of tracks, highlighted by several Triple Crown preps and outstanding graded stakes for older horses.
VEGAS VACATION: Last weekend, I had the opportunity to spend some quality time in Las Vegas with several VSiN-related friends, new and old, while watching and wagering on the six NFL Super Playoff games at Westgate and Circa sports books. A great time was had by all as Mr. Ed celebrated 50 years of semi-annual treks to the gambling capital of the world. Slowed by age and nagging infirmities, Mr. Ed has decided to end exhausting coast-to-coast LV trips while he’s ahead. Here’s to several folks, especially longtime good friends, sports handicapper, writer and mentor Dave Tuley and America’s No. 1 bookmaker Johnny Avello among them, who made my last visit a memorable one.
PEGASUS PREVIEW: Quality racing returns next Saturday at Gulfstream, headlined by the $3 Million G1 World Cup Invitational. The deep card also includes six other loaded stakes, including the $1 Million G1 Pegasus Turf Invitational. Mr. Ed plans to handicap all seven stakes and post his selections and betting strategies here on VSiN.com.
TRACKING MR ED: It’s great to report that I posted a profit last week at Aqueduct, buying $93 worth of tickets and cashing for $127.50. Look for similar winning days as the quality of racing gradually improves over the next several months. Here are Mr. Ed’s Gulfstream selections and suggested wagering amounts for Saturday:
Race 5 (2:09 p.m. ET/11:09 a.m. PT)
Mr. Ed’s choice is #1 ABOVE PAR (7-2 morning line). Mare knows how to fire from the get-go. Dropping to cheap $10K tag for trainer Martin Drexler off Canadian claim, she picks up riding services of skillful South Florida pro Edgard Zayas. If she breaks, she may never look back. Wager: $10 Win & Place. ($20)
Race 8 (3:37 p.m. ET/12:37 p.m. PT)
Mr. Ed likes #4 BELLA FUTURE (4-1 morning line) in leg 1 of late Pick 4 (see below). Trainer Laura Cazares (24-3-5-7) barn is earning its stripes with 15 in-the-money finishes. Recent efforts point to winning effort today. Regular rider Zayas returns. Wager: $10 to Win and Place, box in $2 Exactas with 2,7. ($32)
Race 9 (4:06 p.m. ET/1:06 p.m. PT) — The $75K Sunshine Classic
I like three-way $5 Exacta box consisting of #1 OCTANE (7-5 morning line), #2 LURE HIM IN (5-2) and #4 KHOZEIRESS (8-1). ($30)
Race 10 (4:35 p.m. ET/1:35 p.m. PT)
Mr. Ed likes #8 DEER DISTRICT (9-2 morning line) to capture allowance optional claimer. Trainer Dale Romans brings colt back off solid second in Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga in July. Consistent sort gets rider upgrade to Javier Castellano. A buck worth a bet. Wager: $10 Win & Place. ($20)
TOTAL WAGERS: $102
For those who can afford to shoot for the moon, Mr. Ed suggests considering this late Pick 4:
R8: 2,4,7
R9: 1,2,4
R10: 2,4,5,8
R11: 1,3,5,7,9
MR. ED AGAINST THE SPREAD (9-8 to date) IN NFL PLAYOFFS:
TEXANS +9.5 v. Ravens
49ERS -9.5 v. Packers
LIONS -6.5 v. Buccaneers
CHIEFS +2.5 v. Bills
