Gulfstream Park’s Late Pick Four features a couple of allowance optional claiming races that are good enough to warrant special attention, and each is a ‘spread’ event.

The suggested Late Pick Four ticket amounts to $75, and those two top races are represented by five horses each.

Here’s a good at the ticket and the horses in play this week:


7th Race (3:25 p.m. ET, allowance optional claiming)

COOL QUEST set a rapid pace and settled for second in a good allowance race at Churchill Downs and has the speed to get in front of any of these. Has a good opportunity to stay this time around as he turns back to 5.5 furlongs.

His lone win came at Churchill (by 8.5 lengths) and can be competitive against these – many of which are much more experienced but don't appear to be as quick.

Also on the ticket: TWICE TOO MANY, FAST LOADED, FRONT LOADED, GANGLY.


8th Race (3:55 p.m. ET, claiming)

DETERMINED FURY has tackled some tough starter allowance types in New York and lands in a good spot for his first Gulfstream start. Should not be deterred by the all-weather surface after running on turf much of his career.

His lone win came in a turf race at Belmont and he’ll have to get tied on going this five-furlong distance.

Also on the ticket: ZIP LINE TO HEAVEN.


9th Race (4:28 p.m. ET, allowance optional claiming)

KLICKITAT ran a solid second two back when claimed by Mike Maker in New York. Ran back in a New York-bred stakes race and settled for sixth, and now drops to optional claiming company. He has the speed to be in the hunt from the start and Maker, who is 21 percent in his second start after a claim, can add to that success here. Had a good half-mile breeze leading up to this.

Also on the ticket: ROCKSTAR RO, HURRICANE HILL, ISLAND COMMISH, AVIANO.


10th Race (5:02 p.m. ET, maiden claiming)

POETIC CODE has decent speed and takes a step down in class for this one. Ran second two back and was fifth last out. He had the speed to keep the rail throughout, and that ground-saving journey should be good enough to get him home in front. His best starts have been on this all-weather surface, and he looks as the one to beat.

Also on the ticket: MEKANO, CLASSIC FILM.

My Ticket

Race 7) #1 Twice too Many, #3 Fast Loaded, #5 Front Loaded, #6 Gangly, #8 Cool Quest.

Race 8) #2 Determined Fury, #4 Zip Line to Heaven.

Race 9) #3 Rockstar Ro, #4 Hurricane Hill, #6 Klickitat, #8 Island Commish, #9 Aviano,

Race 10) #1 Poetic Code, #4 Mekano, #5 Classic Film.

Total Ticket Cost) 1,3,5,6,8/2,4/3,4,6,8,9/1,4,5 = $75 for $0.50