Fillies and mares are featured in the 10th race on Gulfstream Park’s card on Sunday, and the top two finishers are back, but a third runner has a great opportunity to make some amends.

It’s the third leg of the Late Pick 4, and Choose Joy and Cat’s Astray fought it out to the wire and finished 1-2 last time they met. Meanwhile, Reinagol was well played in that race, but was tardy at the start and was stuck in traffic, and those two things make it difficult at five furlongs on the turf – the same situation they’ll face today.

This Sunday’s suggested Late Pick 4 play amounts to $72, and here’s a look at the players:


8th Race (4:48 p.m. ET, claiming)

AFFICIONADO will be favored off his last start and lightly will be the one to beat as she turns back to five furlongs after going two turns. She’s likely to find with some energy and looks like she could get past the speedsters that are common at this distance.

She's been solid in two of her last three and can again be a handful at this level.

However, there are legit options here, in case she can kept up with the faster pace and can forward the required kick.
Others on the ticket: REAL DOOZIE, HEIR BALL, THE GREAT KATH.


9th Race (5:22 p.m. ET, maiden special weight)

BACKATYA was fifth on the turf and moves over to the main track, which was the comfort zone for his sire, Mucho Macho Man. The colt has been out twice, and he finished sixth in a dirt sprint and fifth going two turns on grass.

He had a good half-mile work last week and looks ready for his best go at it.

Others on the ticket: CALIFORNIA FROLIC, STRIKE HARD.


10th Race (5:56 p.m. ET, handicap)

REINAGOL was favored vs. many of these last time but drew the rail, didn’t reach well, and was shuffled back. With an outside post, she’ll be able to keep a good position just off the leaders and can make a strong run at her speedy friends.

The top two finishers in the last handicap are back and will be tough, but this one, with a little luck, has a good chance to make amends.

Others on the ticket: CHOOSE JOY, CAT’S ASTRAY.


11th Race (6:30 p.m. ET, maiden claiming)

RUSSIAN TO WIN takes a drop from maiden special weight to maiden claiming and is a good bet to improve off his only start.

He showed speed, then retreated and finished a well-beaten sixth. Since that time she has forward three good works and is likely to dig in and finish much better than last time.

This race is full of 2-year-olds that are eligible to improve as many of them also are making the step down from the top maiden level.

Others on the ticket: MR MAC QUHAE, HEY HIGH POCKETS, CHROME’SRISINGSUN.

My Ticket

Race 8) #4 Afficionado, #6 Real Doozie, #7 Heir Ball, #12 The Great Kath.

Race 9) #4 Backatya, #6 California Frolic, #9 Strike Hard.

Race 10) #6 Choose Joy, #7 Cat’s Astray, #9 Reinagol.

Race 11) #1 Mr Mac Quhae, #2 Hey High Pockets, #6 Russian to Win, #7 Chrome’srisingsun.

Total Ticket Cost) 4,6,7,12/4,6,9/6,7,9/1,2,6,7 ($72) for $0.50