HORSING AROUND: With a mere seven weeks remaining until Kentucky Derby/Oaks weekend (May 1 and 2 at Churchill Downs), race cards everywhere are improving by leaps and bounds. While there are no graded stakes on today’s Gulfstream Park program, there are enough competitive allowance, maiden, and claiming contests to keep this aging horseplayer burning the midnight oil studying past performances. For example, Mr. Ed spent 30 minutes looking for a playable choice in Friday’s R7 $54K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING turf sprint for state-bred fillies and mares until he settled on #1 I’MWISHINGONASTAR* (3-1 morning line) for Mike Dini’s barn with Luis Saez returning to the saddle (see below). Today’s challenging card goes to post at 12:50 p.m. ET/9:50 a.m. PT. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN picks.

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Mr. Ed’s Selections for Gulfstream Park, Friday (3/13)

Race 1 — $50 MAIDEN OPTIONAL CLAIMING for state-bred 3YOs going 5 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s choice is #5 AMBASSADOR BLUE (4-1 morning line) for popular trainer Danny Gargan. New gelding drops in class, adds Lasix and shortens up. Junior Alvarado rides. There’s a lot to like.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)

Race 2 (1:20 p.m. ET/10:20 a.m. PT) — $24.5K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the grass
Mr. Ed likes three: #3 BOMB SQUAD (8-5 morning line) for overdue trainer Luis Duco with Edgar Perez riding; #6 DIALITHIC (2-1) for excellent trainer Victor Barboza, and #7 CAMM’S PRINCESS (3-1) for conditioner Eniel Cordero with Juan Rodriguez up. 
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 3,6,7. ($30)

Race 3 (1:50 p.m. ET/10:50 a.m. PT) — $34K MAIDEN CLAIMING for state-bred 3YOs going 1 1/16-mile on the Tapeda surface
Mr. Ed’s betting on #6 STAR OF THE GUN (7-2 morning line) for trainer Antonio Sano with Edgard Zayas retaining mount. Have gun, will travel to Winner’s Circle.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)

Race 5 (2:51 p.m. ET/11:51 a.m. PT) — $84K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for state-bred 3YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
My pick is #4 LIMITED EDITION (2-1 morning line) with big rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz, Jr. on board for sharp trainer Philip Antonacci. Now’s the time for victory.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)

Race 6 (3:22 p.m. ET/12:22 p.m. PT) — $40K CLAIMING for 4YOs & Up going a mile
Mr. Ed likes three: #2 REAL MACHO (5-2 morning line) for superior trainer Rohan Crichton with regular rider Micah Husbands on board; #5 UNCLECHARLIESGIFT (5-1) for rejuvenated pair of Nick Zito and Dylan Davis, and #7 SPEAK EASY (2-1) for trainer Martin Drexler with Irad Ortiz, Jr.
GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 2,5,7. ($30)

Race 7 (3:53 p.m. ET/12:53 p.m. PT) — See GULFSTREAM PARK SELECTION (above) $10 to Win & Place on #1 I’MWISHINGONASTAR*($20)

Races 8-10 (4:23 p.m. ET/1:23 p.m. PT) — $1 Pick 3
R8: 9,10,11
R9: 4,7
R10: 4,6,7,9 ($24)

TOTAL WAGERS: $144

ON TAP ON SATURDAY: Mr. Ed returns with his top selections on the excellent Churchill Downs 12-race card and offers his top three projected finishers in the Virginia Derby from Colonial Downs. Caution: Unsettled weather is forecast at both East Coast locations.

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