In a world of social distancing and people trying to stay healthy at home, the sport of kings carries on to help us fill the void. While no crowds are gathered, we can still watch in delight as these magnificent thoroughbreds charge home with great aplomb. A mandatory payout day adds to the Floridian drama.

Race 1

5-4-14-7

#5 Zabava has shown improving form in three straight and hit the money each time. With this race being her second off a layoff, watch for another step forward and her to earn the victory today. #4 Niko's Dream returns to racing today after a 5 month break but has been sharp in the mornings and turned in a monster workout 10 days ago. Look for her to come out firing today. #14 Sweet Hitch Hiker did not have a great trip last time out but still finished just 4 lengths from the front. A better trip and a return to the form she showed 3 back against much tougher will have her right in the mix today. #7 Codrington was hard charging last time out and just missed by a neck. Watch her to close ground late again today.

Race 2

5-8-11-6

#5 Beau Luminarie finally put it all together last time out and exploded to an impressive victory. A repeat effort today will find him in the winner's circle again. #8 Overdeliver has won two straight and will look to make it three in a row today. #11 Top Speed comes in here today off an impressive win in his debut. He has also been sharp in the mornings leading into this. #6 Travelling Midas returned to the track after missing all of 2019 to run a solid second against similar last time out. Look for him to take another step forward today.

Race 3

3-5-8-12

#3 Largent has 2 wins and 2 places in 4 careers starts and both losses were by a neck or less. He will be the choice here again today and looks in great form. #5 Temple has finished third in his last two but had to go 7 wide in both. A cleaner path will let him get closer to the top today. #8 Unleveraged has been competitive against similar in the past and has looked very sharp leading up to his return from his layoff. Expect him to be ready here today. #12 Tribhuvan comes over from France and has been training very well in the mornings during his layoff. Watch him to be right in the mix today.

Race 4

10-6-3-11

#10 Decorater Invader returns to the track today after finishing fourth in his Breeders Cup race. He has been training well in the mornings and has all the class he needs to win in his return today. #6 Vitalogy won against graded stakes company last time out and just missed in his previous race. Look for him to be right there again today as he could improve with this been his second off a layoff. #3 Get Smokin finished second in both of his starts this year, just missing last time out. He has been super sharp in the mornings as well. #11 Mr. Hustle looked impressive last year winning all three of his races. He looks primed and ready but can he get the distance? I say yes.

Race 5

3-9-10-7

#3 Network Effect was clearly outclassed in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile but this field it not nearly as tough. Look for him to rebound well off his layoff. #9 Intrepid Heart also is dropping in class. He has been training well and looks well positioned here today. #10 Bourbon War returns to the dirt where he has had far more success, finishing third versus similar in his last dirt effort. #7 Wind of Change ran a solid third last time out in his American debut. Look for him to take another step forward today.

Race 6

6-11-2-1

#6 American Tattoo returns to the dirt after his rough turf outing. Throwing that race out, he won his last dirt start impressively over this Gulfstream course. #11 Prompt returned from his layoff and ran third against similar last time out. Look for him to take another step forward today. #2 Bodexpress has all the talent he needs to make a splash here. If he returns to form, he will contend. #1 Harvey Wallbanger is a closer and will be running fast late. He is also eligible to improve with this being his third start off his layoff.

Race 7

5-7-2-9

#5 Cheermeister comes in on a two race winning streak and has improved in both. Look for her to be a contender again today. #7 Walk in Marrakesk has finished second in both of her American starts by a head and a nose. Shes been right there and today she might just get that top prize. #2 Oynx has been training well in the mornings as she comes off her layoff. She won three straight going into that and will look to pick up where she left off. #9 Seducer broke her maiden impressively in the fall and will look to take another step forward today in her second start.

Race 8

8-7-2-10

#8 Vekoma returns to racing after a long layoff. He is already a graded stakes winner and has both the speed and class to win here today. He has been very sharp in training as well. #7 Jackson won an impressive graded stakes race last time out and will be a contender again today. #2 Garter and Tie drops in class today as he returns from his layoff. He has been training well and looks well positioned for his return. #10 He Hate Me is a grinder and just finds a way to hit the board as he has done in 8 of his last 9 races. He will be in the mix again today.

Race 9

2-7-4-13

#2 Zofelle had a rough trip last time out, rising to third before fading to 5th. This will also be her second off the layoff and she will take a step forward today. #7 Getmotherarose won driving last time out again similar company. Look for her to be competitive again here today. #4 Smart Shot ran fourth in her return to the track against solid company and will look to take another step forward today. #13 Another Time won her turf debut last time out and is also eligible to improve with this being her second start off a layoff.

Race 10

6-5-2-12

#6 Mean Mary has won her last two and moved up in class in both. Shes a very strong contender here today. #5 Gentle Ruler returns off a layoff today but will look to extend her winning streak to 3. She's been very sharp in the mornings. #2 Kelsey's Cross ran a solid third last time out again similar. #12 Elizabeth's Way is two for two including a stakes win since coming to America. She knows how to get it done at Gulfstream.

Race 11

9-5-8-7

#9 Tonalist's Shape is one of our best bets of the day. She is 5 for 5 lifetime and that includes two graded stakes wins. She will get the chance to add to her record today and I fully expect her to do so. #5 Spice is Nice ran a solid second to her last time out and will be a contender here again today. #8 Dream Marie finished third in the same race after winning 3 straight. She will be in the mix again today. #7 Lucrezia comes in having wont 2 straight and will look to add an upset to that here today.

Race 12

9-2-3-1

#9 Zulu Alpha comes in two for two this year at Gulfstream with both being impressive wins. I expect him to make it three straight today. #2 Bemma's Boy ran a solid second in his debut this year and will look to take another step forward today. #3 Spooky Channel will be coming late and look to score a win a big price like he has shown to do in the past. #1 Channel Cat will look to rebound after his very disappointing finish last time out. He has taken a little refresher and looks to be sharp for today.

Race 13

7-10-3-1

#7 Social Paranoia won an impressive race last time out at Kentucky Downs in the fall. He looks sharp and ready for his 2020 debut and I expect him to come out firing. #10 Sombeyay won his last race and comes in well positioned today. He is also eligible to improve again with this being his third start off a layoff. #3 March to the Arch comes in off a win and then a third by a neck just missing out. He will be looking to correct that today. #1 English Bee just missed by half a length in his return last time out and is eligible to improve with this being his second start off the layoff.

Race 14 Florida Derby

7-12-5-9

#7 Tiz the Law won the Holy Bull impressively last time out and will look to claim the top prize again today. #12 Ete Indian finished second in the Holy Bull and improved to then win the Fountain of Youth his next time out. Can he get the better of Tiz the Law this time out? #5 Gouverneur Morris returned to the track to score an impressive win in his return. He will look to improve in his second start off the layoff and take down this Grade 1. #9 Independence Hall will look to improve off his second place finish last time out in the Sam F Davis. He's been training well for this spot.

 

As always, Best of luck!!