Deep into the summer season at Gulfstream Park, the track still has some very competitive stakes races and they are often part of the late 4, and that makes this particular exotic very playable.

The 11th on the 12-race card today is the $75,000 Tortugas Stakes – a 7.5-furlong turf race for 3-year-olds. It’s a key race in the Pick 4 and there’s a decent opportunity to land a good price.

Durocher and Kroy are the top two morning-line selections, will get their share of play. And deservedly so. Durocher (3-1) and enters of a impressive 1 1-4-length score in an optional claiming race at 1 1-16th miles on the turf. Trainer Harry Benson has had him in top form since February as the son of Niagara Causeway has won four of his last five. This is his first foray into stakes competition.

Kroy also was sharp in his latest as he crushed optional claiming Florida-bred by 7 1-4 lengths last out. The Armando De la Cerda trained son of The Factor left no doubt as he set fast fractions, drew off and finished the mile in a very impressive 1:33 4-5. Like Durocher, this is first stakes attempt.

There’s a well-placed possible upsetter and is a must-use for me in the Pick 4. Coleman Rocky, from the Gustavo Delgado barn, has stakes experience and might be overlooked. The son of Harlan’s Holiday was overmatched and unplaced in the Florida Derby but two races back was a closing third in the Not Surprising Stakes. With a good pace in front of him, Coleman Rocky is well-placed to make a big late run and has a legit chance to get the money. At 10-1 on the morning line, he’s worth a shot in the straight plays as well.

Here’s how I see the Gulfstream Park Late Pick 4 on Saturday:

Race 9: #6 Sunset Catch, #8 Bolara, #12 Another Softball.
Race 10: #1 Grubered, #13 Shot Jak.
Race 11: #6 Coleman Rocky, #7 Durocher, #8 Kroy.
Race 12: #1 Saint Therese, #3 Miss Maserati, #12 Ole Yola.

50-cent Late Pick 4: 6-8-12 with 1-3 with 6-7-8 with 1-3-12 ($27)