Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, February 28

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Davona Dale Gulfstream Park, Race #11

Oaks points are on the line with eight fillies expected to head to the post with the expected scratch of morning line favorite, #9 On Time Girl. 

Despite the expected scratch, there is still a ton of speed signed on, which should play right into the hands of a past article winner, #7 Swing Vote. She had a troublesome trip on debut and ran a good third before breaking her maiden emphatically while, once again, having to deal with some issues during the race. She is loaded with talent, will get the set-up, and should improve. All systems go here. 

#8 She Be Smooth enters off a debut win from just off the pace going today’s distance. She is another that will benefit from a hot pace, but is quick enough early to get the jump on Swing Vote. She could be tough to run down if she improves second time out. 

#5 Imperatrice and #4 Omaha Bay both will be part of the pace after each willing on the front end in maiden scores. Imperatrice ran second in the local prep last time out in the Forward Gal at seven furlongs. Today’s mile distance could be an issue if the pace is quick. Omaha Bay has not run since winning in December in a race in which she beat Swing Vote. She is bred for the distance, but is a wild card off the layoff on the stretch out.

Top 4: 7-8-5-4
The Bets: $50 Win #7, Like the 7-8 exacta here as well!

The Fountain of Youth, Gulfstream Park, Race #14

This is the most hyped I have been for a race in a long time. We’ve got six or seven legit horses here who have Derby aspirations, with three real contenders to win the whole thing. I’ve got to start with #6 Chief Wallabee, who ran the best maiden race of anyone in this class to date. He was very fast, 89 beyer, while not ever being asked in his maiden score while sitting behind the pace and swallowing up The Puma, who is on the trail himself. Wallabee is bred to love the added distance by super-sire Constitution and will have the horses in front of him gunning it out of the gate and softening each other up. I’ve got a win ticket on him for the Derby, so I’m going to be picking him here. 

Right to his outside is #7 Napoleon Solo, who was insanely good winning the Grade 1 Champagne last season. He’s been on the bench since, but that was always the plan for trainer Chad Summers. He is lightning fast out of the gate and will be part of the pace. If he is ready to roll, and I expect he is, this is the speed horse that is likely hanging around at the end. 

#3 Talkin is the price shot for me here. He was second to Napoleon Solo in the Champagne before stretching out in the Remsen with an impossibly wide trip. He is more than capable of running with these if any of the top runners do not fire their best shot. He’s also going to come from off the pace, which should help. 

#4 Commandment is the morning line favorite for Brad Cox and Irad Ortiz, who won the Mucho Macho Man last out over an inferior field. The waters get deeper, but he has answered the bell every time. I’m not willing to take a short price here, but I understand why he will be heavily backed. 

I should mention #1 Jackson Hole as well. He is two-for-two while being the favorite in both races. He is not fast enough early to get the lead like he did last time out, but he did win from off the pace on debut over this track. Yet another contender.

Top 4: 6-7-3-4
The Bets: $50 Win #6

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