by Jerry Shottenkirk
December 12, 2020
Gulfstream Park’s Late Pick 4 Sunday features three races full of accomplished runners and a finale that includes some very promising young ones.
The sequence runs from races 8-11 and the suggested this week totals $54. Without a standout in these, the ticket uses a 3x3x3x4 strategy.
Here’s a look at what to expect in the Late Pick 4 Sunday from Hallandale Beach, FL.:
Race 8 (3:38PM ET) // Optional Claiming
SWEET YARE N DIRA broke poorly and made up considerable ground to finish fifth last time. Has won at this level and can be troublesome from the start.
LENZI’S LUCKY LADY was off to a three-for-three start in her career – all at GP – and hasn’t found her way to the winner’s circle since then. Was claimed by Hess, Jr., barn two races back for $75,000 and then faltered in the Charles Town Oaks. Dangerous in her return to GP and has the pedigree to handle the switch to turf.
AUNT NADINE has been able to adjust to the pace in her last few and has two wins and two seconds in her last four. Makes third start off the claim for Maker.
Race 9 (4:09PM ET) // Optional Claiming
FROSTED GRACE ran on well in his last three and was second in each of them. Solid contender at this level.
CAJUN BROTHER had the misfortune of facing Nashville in the Perryville Stakes at Keeneland and faltered. He gets some major class relief here and you can expect him to dig in vs. this level of competition.
WITH VERVE has been in the mix in several good races, including in the Hutcheson Stakes, when he came from off the pace and was up in time by a neck. Certainly can be a solid performance at this level.
Race 10 (4:40PM ET) // Claiming
SNIPER KITTEN comes off one of his better races as he followed a long pacesetter and readily drew clear. Well travelled and capable.
MOROCCO steadily made his way through most of the field before finishing third in his latest. Has won a couple of races over this course.
STIRLING DRIVE woke up with a solid third at this level last out and will be fairly close to this pace. A repeat of his last one would give him a solid chance.
Race 11 (5:11PM ET) // Claiming
REINAGOL improved position and finished second in her debut. She drew the rail in that one and gets the same post today. Likely will break better in her return.
VIVA LA RED has trained very well for her first one and is bred for grass.
PHANTOM VISION, like REINAGOL, drew the rail and finished second her debut. Has worked well for her return.
THIRD TIME AROUND lost her rider last time after finishing fourth in herdebut. Had a nice workout since herlatest.
50-cent Late Pick 4 Sunday at Gulfstream Park:
Race 8) #1 Sweet Yare N Dira, #5 Lenzi’s Lucky Lady, #7 Aunt Nadine.
Race 9) #1 Frosted Grace, #4 Cajun Brother, #6 With Verve.
Race 10) #4 Sniper Kitten, #5 Morocco, #6 Stirling Drive.
Race 11) #1 Reinagol, #2 Viva La Red, #3 Phantom Vision, #9 Third Time Around.Ticket Cost: 1-5-7 with 1-4-6 with 4-5-6 with 1-2-3-9 ($54).