The Lead:
Fourth of July sparkles Saturday at Gulfstream Park with co-featured stakes races, the Soldier's Dancer and the Smile Sprint. They'll go back-to-back on the 11-race holiday card with the Smile Sprint second up in Race 10. The 6-furlong heat was once part of the Summit of Speed and matches open 3-year-olds and older.

​​Field Depth:
Stakes winners entered include CLASSIC OF COURSE, ROLANDO (pictured), NAUGHTY RASCAL and GUNS LOADED, all at the listed level. BEACH COLT and CON COMPANIA were stakes winners in their native Chile. The top strengths of schedule here belong to CLASSIC OF COURSE, ROLANDO and a little gap to GUNS LOADED.
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Pace:
There's no firm commitment to the front, but early speed certainly is in possession of ROLANDO, VIKING, BEACH COLT and CON COMPANIA based on rider intent.
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Our Eyes:
Here are my horse-by-horse notes.

1-CLASSIC OF COURSE: Rail closer has lost 7 straight and is 0-3 at this distance which is short of his best. Will need a total pace meltdown to get the big prize but capable of rallying for a bottom share with some class edge on several.

2-TO THE EASTSIDE: Found the Big Drama Stakes class rise last time above his grade when unable to contend early. The tempo doesn't get easier at 6 furlongs vs. 7 that day, which likely puts him in a chase mode. Sure, he's 3-for-4 at 6 furlongs, but those came against much, much easier rivals. Not for me.

3-ROLANDO: Obvious win threat has won 5 of 9 locally and 4 of 7 at this trip. His 7F Big Drama win June 6 was his fourth in his last 5 Gulfstream starts - with many subpar road trip results soiling his form in-between. This is his game and jockey Diego Herrera is going very well.

4-VIKING: Stakes debut in start 10 for this newcomer to the David Fawkes barn. Owns 6F victories at Oaklawn and Horseshoe Indianapolis, but has yet to try Gulfstream or this level of competition. Fawkes is lighting it up at GP now and hits a wild 31% with horses moving to his barn first time. Son of GP's Pegasus World Cup winner City of Light. Of some interest but need 5-1 or more.

5-BEACH COLT: Only win in 9 US starts came wire-to-wire and it's difficult to project he's going to get a comfortable trip several pace players in the lineup around him. At 1-4 locally and 1-7 at the distance, won't be using him on my tickets but he'll impact the pace and how the race unfolds.

6-CON COMPANIA: Extremely consistent sort under a mile on dirt and exits one of his best races, an allowance victory here May 23. No match for Rolando over this 6F trip when second-best in April. Some concern without Lasix based on his past performances but his pace versatility could play out under Miguel Vasquez as they're drawn outside most of the projected speed. Contender, but seek 5-1 or more.

7-NAUGHTY RASCAL: Stalker could get a favorable trip in his first start since April. Tampa-based Gerald Bennett got 3 recent works over the track for the 2024 local Proud Man Stakes winner at this 6F distance. Last start snapped an 8-race losing streak and this one ran well off of 2 freshenings in the past. The horse to fear late under reunited pilot Samy Camacho.

8-GUNS LOADED: Opened his career like he was destined for big things, but his 3-year-old season in 2025 never materialized its potential. Only start this year was wildly forgettable in allowance company for Jose D'Angelo and since has been transferred to the Saffie Joseph Jr. barn. Trio of new works for the new outfit to figure him out and they've decided to race without blinkers for the first time. Best version can win this. Confidence we see that? Mixed. Price likely an underlay to find out with Husbands-Saffie this time of year.

Most Likely Exotics Contender:
ROLANDO is 9-9 in the trifecta on the Gulfstream main track and is among the classiest in the field.

Best Longshot Contender:
NAUGHTY RASCAL typically doesn't get bet hard, and while not a bomb projection, should be a fair, mid-range offering with a big chance at all of it.
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Sending it in ($100 bankroll):
$40 win NAUGHTY RASCAL. $30 exacta box NAUGHTY RASCAL and ROLANDO ($60).