A big Saturday at Gulfstream includes 3 stakes, the featured Grade 3 Princess Rooney at the head of the class. The undercard includes the Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint as well as the Ginger Punch.

Race 1:

The aptly-named 9 EXPECTATIONS gets the call in the opener, as she cost a pricey 240k as a yearling, debuts for a Biancone barn that is 32% first-turf and 22% on debut, and meets a crew there for the taking. The speed and experience of 6 AMERICAN REIGN gives her an edge, so if the pick isn’t ready (or isn’t bet), she figures the one to catch after a close 3rd last time. Look for an improved effort from 7 FIB after a duel-and-tire 6th in her debut at Cnl. SELECTIONS: 9-6-7-4

Race 2:

Tough to see big dropper 4 SPY NOVEL losing to a group like this, as his best dominates, he’ll be close throughout, and enters off a slew of works to suggest he’s simply here to pick up a win. If the heavy favorite does stub his toe, then both 2 DIMANCHE GRAS and 5 BLUE SLIDE PARK have recent wins to put them next in line. SELECTIONS: 4-2-5-7

Race 3:

Taking the short price with 5 SENTA SAYS, who lays over these off her Tapeta comeback, is bred for the main, and has a big recency edge too. You get EX value from 6 HURRICANE OPUS adding Lasix, though a 12/2 layoff hurts, as does one from 11/27 with 3 DIAMOND’S HONOR, who was a voided claim that day too. SELECTIONS: 5-6-3-2

Race 4:

There’s a chance that 7 MAGIC HEART regresses off a good 2nd, but he’ll offer the right risk/reward, a good combo in a race with an iffy favorite. Which leads to 3 BAKERS STREET, who bombed at 8-5 on turf and now drops off-the-claim for Fawkes, and while that’s a wild 20-for-50 move, this seems fishy. There’s no speed here, so first-time gelding 6 SHERMAN FURY could get brave in his return. SELECTIONS: 7-3-6-4

Race 5: Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint

It’s a bold Best Bet in the Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint, as 1 MATTINGLY ran (and was bet) like a short horse in his return, yet ran well, will be tighter here for Orseno, and has the perfect stalking style in a race loaded with speed. Stablemate 6 REZASROLEX will take all the beating on the G2 drop and a 3-2-1-0 local mark, though he’ll be overbet off a Saratoga chase-and-fade, so he’s worth trying to beat on top. Not sure about 8 THOUGHT CONTROL, who freaked trying turf, but hasn’t been seen since that 5/10 win, and meets a world of other speed too. SELECTIONS: 1-6-8-2

Race 6:

A stalking gear in a race with a hot pace says the in-form 2 FINAL PAYMENT can get first run on dropping 6 LETHAL SPEED, so let’s play it that way to the hoop, in a race that may fall apart late. Can’t see 5 SMOKE AN A PANCAKE pressing early and lasting late, so use him underneath only. SELECTIONS: 2-6-5-4

Race 7:

If the money shows—and it should—then 8 EARTHLY DELIGHTS will be tough in his debut, as he’s a 410k son of Union Rags (stands for 10k) who is kin to a G1 winner, and has worked big for this too. There’s some pedigree power with 2 ARABIAN CROWN as well, though his half brother was a graded winner going long on turf, so he may need this, grass, and/or an extra turn. The “other Saffie” has already popped at the meet, so don’t ignore 1 TAILBREEZIN JOKE, though the rail for a firster going 7Fs is never easy. SELECTIONS: 8-2-1-7

Race 8: Ginger Punch Stakes

It’s Longshot time in the Ginger Punch with 2 LETS GO KOKO, who needed her 8/16 comeback when 6th behind several here, but is former local stakes winner who has speed, and looks primed for a big move up off the tightener. No doubt 9 MISS MARY NELL ran best on the 16th, even though she was a tiring 3rd, as she middle moved into a hellacious pace and paid the price, while other laid back and took advantage late. Including winner 6 FANTASY PERFORMER, and while it’s never easy to dismiss a horse who beat many she meets again, a different flow says you should make her back it up. SELECTIONS: 2-9-6-3

Race 9: Princess Rooney Stakes

A starting berth into the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint is on the line in the G3 Princess Rooney, and California invader 3 SIMPLY JOKING seems to hold a class edge off solid G1 form, and her route speed suggests she’ll sit a dream trip off an expected hot and contested pace on the cutback to 7Fs. You can’t knock 2 KERRY’S KISS, who is clearly the best of the locals off back-to-back stakes wins since moving to Saffie’s barn, though she won both on the lead, and figures to face pace pressure on both sides today. The stalking style of 5 INDY BAY could allow her to turn the tables on stablemate ‘Kiss after running 2nd to her in her last two, but she’s been beaten soundly in both, and may just be a cut below at this point of her career. SELECTIONS: 3-2-5-4

Race 10:

Lots to like with 2 MYTHICAL MAN, as he returns to turf, drops in class, and moves to Barboza, not to mention he’ll be a decent price with heavily favored 8 MISTER ABARRIO. ‘Abarrio will be a short price on a stiff drop for Saffie, but his lack of speed and the rails out at 73’, and meek recent form (seven straight losses) don’t entice. The top-2 do have knocks, so you could do worse than 5 RASHID, who has run well in back-to-back locals runs. SELECTIONS: 2-8-5-3

Best Bet: R5: #1 Mattingly (6-1)
* Will be tighter off needed comeback
* Stalker can sit off expected wild pace
* Perfect inside draw with rails at 59’

Longshot: R8: #2 Lets Go Koko (8-1)
* Clearly a short horse in comeback race
* Tactical speed to lay close throughout
* Former stakes winner over the GP turf