The Lead:
Florida-breds take center stage Saturday at Gulfstream Park for the Sunshine Filly & Mare Turf. The 1-mile grass test goes as Race 11 and immediately follows the co-featured Sunshine Classic. The 11-runner lineup in this one makes it the more attractive betting proposition, while both races will be part of the Sunset Pick 6 wager with sister track Santa Anita. Also note both races will be part of the Xpressbet Beat the Host handicapping contest this week, which features racing analyst Millie Ball as the public's target to beat.

Horseplayers at Xpressbet and 1/ST BET be sure to opt in and take part in the Pegasus World Cup Bankroll Builder promotion. Bet $25 on Gulfstream Park's Saturday card and get a $5 wagering credit to be deposited prior to the huge PWC card later this month.

​​Field Depth:
Open-company stakes winners GREAT VALENZUELA and SPIRITED BOSS are joined by defending Sunshine Filly & Mare Turf winner ASHIMA at the head of the class.
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Pace:
Expect a quick tempo in this turf mile, particularly with some of the projected speed drawn in the outside post positions and hustled early to gain position into the clubhouse turn. A front-running winner will have earned this victory if successful.

Our Eyes:
Here are my horse-by-horse notes.

#1-LADY CHA CHA: Late runner has some consistency in cashing minor checks, but has lost 11 in a row. Ground-saving trip and contested pace are in her favor under Miguel Vasquez. Late BRIS Pace Figures 90-91 are tops in this field in route races.

#2-LUZ DE LA LUNA: Synthetics sprinter is 0-9 on turf and a question mark at the distance. Open company allowance sort at Woodbine taken for $50,000 optional claiming in November by a Marty Drexler barn that’s had her a few times in the past, a good sign at least. First start outside Woodbine in 36 tries.

#3-MISS MARY NELL: Inside speed expected from filly who made the pace in the Tropical Park Oaks from a tough post 11 of 12 last out. She backed up late at 63-1 odds in that one after a 5-month hiatus. Should be more fit, but pace task here looks heated. Stakes-placed over this turf course last summer in open company for Carlos David.

#4-VOLATILED: Lots of questions to be answered by this dirt sprinter from the surface to the 2-turn trip. This also marks her first attempt in the elder stakes ranks after facing age-restricted foes the past 2 seasons. Five-time runner-up in 9 starts has just a maiden score to her record but has hit the board in 5 straight for Fernando Abreu.

#5-SAPPHIRE GIRL: Least-experienced member of the cast makes just her fourth lifetime start, breaking her maiden Oct. 26 at this turf mile trip and not seen since. Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee looks to have missed a workout in late December, so we’ll see where she is on fitness and how she stacks up with elder stakes foes. Pass for now.

#6-SPIRITED BOSS: Consistent winner has scored 4 times in 7 starts for Jose D’Angelo and won the Sanibel Island Stakes over this course and similar trip in open company (pictured). Ability to stalk midpack will be effective in this race with plenty of pace. Didn’t need pace help in winning her Tampa comeback that should set her up well under Irad Ortiz Jr. Big player.

#7-ASHIMA: Defending champ in the Sunshine Filly & Mare Turf has been popular at the windows, favored in 6 of her last 7 starts (winning 4 of those). Hard to knock this last-out Claiming Crown winner, but note Irad Ortiz Jr. hops off that winning mount to take Spirited Boss on Saturday. Can show speed, but versatile running style could be very helpful in that looks to be a contested pace. Javier Castellano takes the mount for Salvatore Santoro.

#8-SOUPER WILLIWAW: Even fifth of 12 in the Tropical Park Oaks last out after back-to-back wins in at Monmouth and Laurel in the maiden and allowance ranks. Mike Trombetta trainee fits well at this trip and probably will be closer to the pace than last out after a bumpy start. Not without a case going into state-bred ranks.

#9-RUGELACH: Wide post draws have plagued this early pace player and poor luck at the the draw continues. Southern California transplant exits a good second in a Tampa Bay Downs turf mile allowance for new trainer Sam Wilensky. Solid marks at the mile trip (7: 3-2-1) and this can be a specialist’s turf distance. Consider, but pace and post work against her chance of landing top prize.

#10-SOUPER ZONDA: White-hot trainer Mark Casse tabs John Velazquez for the first time aboard this Curlin filly who was fourth at 58-1 in the Tropical Park Oaks last time. She has a win over the course and a turf mile win at Woodbine, but it’s a very light and inconsistent resume overall. Hard to dismiss Casse the way he’s horses are firing right now, but another pace presser with a tough post to overcome.

#11-GREAT VENEZUELA: Turf sprinter expected to show early heat from the widest draw in hopes of improving on last year’s second-place finish in the Sunshine Filly & Mare Turf as the favorite. Trainer Victor Barboza turns to Tyler Gaffalione for the first time. Her 16: 9-4-2 record shines, but while she’s run well in 5 tries over this turf course, has only 1 win to show for it. Consistency is to be applauded and an obvious contender.

Most Likely Exotics Contender:
SPIRITED BOSS is 7-for-7 in the trifecta lifetime, is drawn well enough and gets a great pace set-up.

Best Longshot Contender:
LADY CHA CHA should be running on late in a race with plenty of early pace.

Sending it in ($100 bankroll):
$60 win SPIRITED BOSS. $10 exacta-box SPIRITED BOSS and ASHIMA ($20). $10 exacta part-wheel SPIRITED BOSS, ASHIMA over LADY CHA CHA ($20).