by Jerry Shottenkirk
January 15, 2022
A 1.5-mile trek over the turf in the ninth race is the headliner on Gulfstream Park’s program on Sunday, and it marks the return of a horse that was unlucky in his what was his first start on this side of the Atlantic.
Arturo Toscanini rates the edge in the third leg of the Late Pick 4 despite finishing sixth in his first attempt here as he didn’t perform well as the race was taken off the turf. The surface wasn’t his cup of tea, and he’s back to the grass today and should improve in his second local try.
Be sure to take advantage of the Saturday/Sunday weekly $2,000 Gulfstream Park Late Pick 4 Hit-and-Split promotion with Xpressbet and 1/ST BET. The suggested Pick six ticket totals $60, and here’s the way I see it:
7th Race (3:37 p.m. ET, claiming)
NOBLE INTENTIONS is in the middle of a group that is distance challenged, but with a gang of runners going for the lead, she will be ideally set up for a late move. She did so in her last two and settled for fourth and third, and while it’ll take a clear path through traffic, it’s certainly a possibility in this dash.
It’s difficult to put all the eggs in one basket in such a race, so it’s worth it to spread out.
Also on the ticket: MS BIG SPRING, CANARSIE ANGEL, LISA STAR, ALIZEE.
8th Race (4:11 p.m. ET, starter optional claiming)
MILES AHEAD is 8 of 16 at Gulfstream and comes in off a tremendous score in the Claiming Crown Rapid Transit. His only recent blemish came in the Grade 1 A.G. Vanderbilt at Saratoga when he was roughed up at the start and then forced wide.
He had too much early trouble to make an impact that day, but his local races are plenty good enough.
Also on the ticket: VINNIE VAN GO.
9th Race (4:42 p.m. ET, allowance optional claiming)
ARTURO TOSCANINI is perfectly spotted here as he catches allowance optional claiming company going 1 1-2 miles. His only try at the distance came in the G1 Irish Derby at the Curragh, and his first in nearly seven months (and first in the U.S. in an event that came off the turf due to weather conditions).
Makes his second for Mark Casse, and he can show considerable improvement this time.
Also on the ticket: GLOUCESTERSHIRE, JARREAU, CONQUER THE WORLD.
10th Race (5:14 p.m. ET, maiden claiming)
ELUSIVE UNCAPTURED turns back from two-turn races in her last two and should benefit from going the 5.5 furlongs here. She showed enough speed in earlier sprints to be dangerous.
This race marks her 10th start, and she has a second and four thirds on her record. Lands in a spot she should be able to handle.
Also on the ticket: LATTE LOVER, SUMMER BEAUTY.
Gulfstream Park 50-cent Late Pick 4:
7) #3 Ms Big Spring, #5 Canarsie, #6 Noble Intentions, #10 Lisa Star, #11 Alizee.
8) #1 Miles Ahead, #7 Vinnie Van Go.
9) #2 Gloucestershire, #3 Jarreau, #5 Arturo Toscanini, #6 Conquer the World.
10) #6 Elusive Uncaptured, #8 Latte Lover, #9 Summer Beauty.
The ticket: 3-5-6-10-11 with 1-7 with 2-3-5-6 with 6-8-9 ($60).