Gulfstream Park’s Sunday activities culminate with a Pick 4 that features the $60,000 Opa-Locka Handicap, a mile race over the main track that attracted a good field of fillies and mares. It goes as the 10th race and the third leg of the sequence.

This week’s suggested ticket amounts to $80, and here’s a look at the main players:


8th Race (3:23 p.m. ET, maiden special weight)

MR RUM RUNNER has thrown a scare into all three fields of horses he’s faced, and he looks primed to get his maiden win in his fourth start.

He has two seconds and a third thus far and stepped it up to minor stakes company in the Juvenile on the Tapeta. That was his first two-turn attempt and he was ready for it. He set the pace and finished second.

Also on the ticket: DOMINICAN ICE, POSEIDON’S SON, URANIUM.



9th Race (3:53 p.m. ET, claiming)

SUMMERFEST didn’t fire in his first one here, which came in an optional claiming race on the main track. He moves over to Tapeta for this, and that’s a good thing as he won three of his last four on the all-weather strip at Presque Isle.

He prefers sprints and has had a solid kick on several occasions.

Also on the ticket: LAUDA SPEED, DIMENNA, MILITARY DRILL, INDY LYON.


10th Race (4:23 p.m. ET, Opa-Locka Handicap)

DANCE D’ORO isn’t accustomed to the stakes or handicap ranks, but her latest was enough of an eye-opener to give her a big chance. She blasted out of the gate and opened a clear lead and just never faltered at any point.

When it was all said and done, she won in easy fashion, and a similar run will make her very tough against these capable distaffers.

Also on the ticket: QUEEN NEKIA, HELPING LISA D, COMPETITIVE SPEED.


11th Race (4:53 p.m. ET, claiming)

DESIGNED BY KITTEN has been away for a year and resurfaces for a $10,000 claiming price.

She won a maiden special weight race at Woodbine for her career debut and was fourth in the Hollywood Beach Stakes on turf here in September 2020.

She makes her first start for the Saffie Joseph, Jr., which is not a bad place to be with its 24-percent successful rate (150 of 633 this year), and he has a long list of works for this.

Also on the ticket: SHE’S CLASSY.


My Ticket

Race 8) #1 Dominican Ice, #4 Poseidon’s Son, #5 Mr Rum Runner, #7 Uranium.

Race 9) #2 Summerfest, #4 Lauda Speed, #5 Dimenna, #6 Military Drill, #8 Indy Lyon.

Race 10) #1 Dance d’Oro, #2 Queen Nekia, #3 Helping Lisa D, #5 Competitive Speed.

Race 11) #3 She’s Classy, #8 Designed by Kitten.

Total Ticket Cost) 1,4,5,7/2,4,5,6,8/1,2,3,5/3,8 = $80 for $0.50