Gulfstream Park introduces some new player-friendly wagers as part of their summer Monday programs. Yes, that is right a trio of new horizontals will begin for the first time with the Monday addition to the schedule in Hallandale Beach. The $1 Players Place 8, a wager that challenges bettors to pick the winner or the second-place finisher in all eight races, the $3 Players Late Pick 3, and the $5 Players Late Double all give horseplayers better shots at profiting than most wagers offered by the competition. Here are my thoughts on the first $3 Players Late Pick 3 ever offered at Gulfstream Park Plus, an $86K carryover in the Rainbow 6 has a Monday mandatory payout provision.. Read more about the new Monday lineup here.

Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.

Race 7:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 3 Corta Fuego; 1 Navy Cross
Backups: 11 Saratoga Flash

Forecast: Trainer Nicholas Tomlinson has been scorching of late. In fact, over the last 30 days, Tomlinson is 5 for 12 with a $4.72 ROI and sends out 2-1-ML favorite #11 Saratoga Flash. The son of Laoban makes his first start since an off-the-pace third place finish where he failed to threaten the wire-to-wire winner at odds of 2-1. The decrease in competition is noteworthy, but so is the fact just 1 of his 9 career victories have come over an all-weather surface. He is the one to beat, but I prefer the value a pair of geldings drawn to the inside offer.

#3 Corta Fuego is my top choice. The son of Divisdero has been very popular at the claim box and comes in off a runner-up finish versus similar. There is little doubt this is his preferred surface. #1 Navy Cross is a bit more of a stab, but could find himself loose on the lead. This was true last time to an extent, but he took some heat during that second quarter that led to a race shape that favored off the pace. Perhaps Edgar Perez can control the tempo a bit better in this guy’s second start of the form cycle.


Race 8:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 4 Sonic Surge
Backups: 2 R Winchester

Forecast: I lack creativity in this $30k N2L at 6-furlongs over the main track where class dropper #4 Sonic Surge is the one to beat. The 8-5-ML choice gets some major class relief in his first start against older runners after tackling stakes foes last out. Overall, he has kept far better company than his competition and his one drop into the claiming ranks saw him overcome an outside bias with his inside trip throughout. If he fires, he should win. If not, it is #2 R Winchester’s race to lose. He has been freshened up since his maiden victory on April 25. A repeat of that run at Tampa Bay Downs gives him a significant chance, but regression is certainly within the range of potential outcomes. I will single the chalk on most tickets with one back to the deuce.


Race 9:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 3 Curly Sue; 4 Keepsake Box
Backups: None

Forecast: I will try to beat 2-1-ML favorite #9 Elenique in the finale. The daughter of Leinster has been freshened up after her third-place effort against similar on May 9. The Patrick Biancone trainee has been consistent, but also a major money burner through seven starts. She has lost as the post-time favorite five times already and draws to the far outside in this MSW over the grass. I will use #4 Keepsake Box on the move back to the sod for Saffie Joseph and #3 Curly Sue. Trainer Jose D’Angelo has not had a great 2026, but has heated up at in Florida of late. He is 5 for 12 with a $3.64 ROI over the last 15 days and gives this daughter of Curlin her first chance to go long and compete over the lawn. She certainly has the upside still to get the job done.