Mr. Ed’s Gulfstream Best Bets
ONE TOTE OVER THE LINE or TAMPA BAY, WE HAVE A PROBLEM: Don’t believe all you’ve read or heard about last Saturday’s outage at Tampa Bay Downs. After conducting exhaustive research with sources at the Florida track and elsewhere throughout the racing industry, Mr. Ed has discovered the root cause of the fiasco: His VSiN.com Longshot of the Day #5 Waskesiu winning the 10th race, coupled with #7 Style Points, to generate a combined Win, Place and Exacta return of $244. The Tampa Bay tote system simply crashed under the crushing weight of Mr. Ed’s predicted, yet improbable score. Needless to say, Mr. Ed and all his loyal VSiN.com followers enjoyed cashing juicy tickets.
MR. ED’S DERBY DOZEN (current Circa odds): 1-Sierra Leone (8-1); 2-DORNOCH*(8-1) 3-Timberlake (9-1); 4-Track Phantom (10-1); 5-Forever Young (12-1); 6-Speak Easy (15-1); 7-Deterministic (20-1); 8-Domestic Product (20-1); 9-Mystik Dan (25-1) and Conquest Warrior (25-1).
*Mr. Ed’s current choice
RETURN TO GULFSTREAM: With no Derby-points races scheduled anywhere today, Mr. Ed returns to his Winter wagering home in hopes of building on last week’s profitable day at Tampa Bay Downs. Looking ahead on the Kentucky Derby Trail, he plans to bet Oaklawn Park for Louisiana Derby day on March 23, return to Gulfstream for the Florida Derby card on March 30, and report in person on the Bluegrass Stakes from Keeneland on April 6. First post today for Gulfstream’s super-challenging 12-race card is 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT.
MR. ED’S BEST BETS AT GULFSTREAM PARK
Race 2 (1:39 p.m. ET/10:39 a.m. PT) — Maiden claiming, 7 ½ furlongs on turf
I like three: #3 HABERDASHERY (12-1 morning line) with Jose Ortiz riding shipper from Tampa Bay; #5 RAPSCALLION (5-1) with brother Irad picking up mount, and #7 OCALA ROCKET (4-1) for trainer Bill Mott with Junior Alvarado in the irons.
MR. ED’S GULFSTREAM BET: $5 EXACTA BOX OF 3,5,7. ($30)
Race 5 (3:07 p.m. ET/12:07 p.m. PT) — Optional claiming, mile on turf
Mr. Ed likes #2 MY SUNNY VALENTINE (6-1 morning line). Marty Drexler trainee tries the turf after several solid sprints over synthetic surface. She stretches out today with tip-top Tyler Gaffalione repeating in the saddle. Time to shine, Valentine.
MR. ED’S GULFSTREAM BET: $10 to Win & Place on 2. ($20)
Race 6 (3:37 p.m. ET/12:37 p.m. PT) — Claiming at 1-mile, 70 yards on synthetic
No need to get off the Drexler-Gaffalione team. Mr. Ed likes #11 SHAKE YOUR BONES (5-1 morning line) as 5YO gelded son of Dialed In looks to take a slow field from gate to wire. Speedy work last week says he’s ready to score. I can feel it in my bones.
MR. ED’S GULFSTREAM BET: $10 to Win & Place on 11. ($20)
Race 9 (5:06 p.m. ET/2:06 p.m. PT) — Claiming at 5 ½-furlongs on synthetic
#2 SPEED SALSA (6-1 morning line) turns back from turf mile as she returns from vacation for trainer Kelly Breen and top circuit rider Paco Lopez, who’s ridden her before. A class drop seals the deal.
MR. ED’S GULFSTREAM BET: $10 to Win on 2 and $5 Exacta boxes of 2 with 5,7,12. ($40)
Race 10 (5:36 p.m. ET/2:36 p.m. PT) allowance-claiming, 1-mile on dirt
Mr. Ed likes #1 CAPE TRAFALGAR (5-2 morning line) for top Florida conditioner Saffie Joseph. Second back from break, the expensive son of Lord Nelson is ready to fire his best shot. Addition of sharp Tyler Gaffalione a big plus.
MR. ED’S GULFSTREAM BEST BET: $5 Exacta boxes of 1 with 3,5,6. ($30)
Race 12 (6:36 p.m. ET/3:36 p.m. PT) — Maiden Special Weight for 3YOs & up at 1 1/16-mile on turf
To close out a successful wagering day, Mr. Ed likes #9 JUAN VALDEZ (4-1 morning line). The improving son of super sire Medaglia d’Oro, the colt picks up leading rider Paco Lopez for HOF trainer Shug McGaughey. Packs a late punch.
MR. ED’S GULFSTREAM BET: $10 to Win & Place ($20)
TOTAL WAGERS: $160
BONUS BET: Tampa Bay Race 6 — #6 WHATS GOIN ON (7-2)
