ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 1, LINDA NIN

FIRST RACE

LINDA NIN, the day’s best, holds a form advantage over primary rivals TREATHERLIKESTAR and LADY COVENTRY, whom come off disappointing efforts. While ‘NIN rallied to be a determined second in her latest against similar in a turf sprint, TREATHERLIKESTAR gave up after chasing the pace in a route here, admittedly against better, and LADY COVENTRY failed to switch leads when in a dirt race when favored last out. Although COVENTRY still held second, it was an ugly runner-up after seemingly traveling smoothly to the lead between calls on the turn. All that said, sprinting on grass should better suit TREATHERLIKESTAR and LADY COVENTRY, but still the clear choice is LINDA NIN.

SECOND RACE

FLASHING DIAMOND sat a favorable trip in fourth last out, stalking a hotly contested pace set by two runners, but there were several others in the field that figured to benefit as much as her, and none would come close to FLASHING DIAMOND in the lane. She rolled to a 5 3/4-length victory, her third win from six starts, though always in cheaper claimers. MARIEALENA perhaps can be excused for running a distant ninth in her latest when ambitiously placed in the Hut Hut Stakes and also racing in the slop that day. She had previously been a state-bred stake, and if able to return that form, she will be a force under Irad. OPTIMISTIC SHOT only posted a 49 Beyer first out in a maiden $12,500 claimer, but looked good in victory, wearing down a loose-on-the-lead horse that returned to win.

THIRD RACE

The connections of SOLVE seem to want to cash out with SOLVE, dangling him as claim bait in this $12,500 claimer given his eligibility to starters and back class. That said, they’d no doubt like to win if he moves on to a new barn and if he maintains the form he has exhibited in three starts for trainer Scooter Dickey he ought to handle this group. CHATIMENT is returned at the same $12,500 claiming level after running second against similar Dec. 28 and getting claimed by the hot Jose Velez stable; 3 for 10 last year and consistently fires Beyers in the 70s. ROYAL MILE closed to be second the last time he raced for this tag before stepping up to $25,000 and struggling on the rise; fits for this price though his 21-1-8-4 record in 2016-2017 suggests he is better used in the twothree positions in the gimmicks rather than on top.

FOURTH RACE

MALAGACY was brilliant early at 3, winning his first three races, including the Grade 2 Rebel, before tiring to fifth in the Arkansas Derby and going to the sidelines; unraced since, but Todd Pletcher typically brings his stars back at their best when returned during this meet; a tricky draw in post 1 with speed to his outside but on top due to just raw ability. Stablemate SONIC MULE doesn’t have near the talent of the top choice but he an affinity for Gulfstream and was recently third in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector here; should work out a nice stalking trip from the outside. RECRUITING READY, out since June, is the speed of the race and specializes at this six-furlong distance, but he was disappointing in a couple races over this track last winter, though one race was a stake in the slop and another going a mile.

FIFTH RACE

DA DA DA DUDE is the speed and class of this maiden claimer, having twice run fourth and once second in three starts against straight maidens. Note that his second came in a turf sprint to Nauti Boy, an eventual stakes winner. WE TAKE CHECKS starts for the winning Jorge Navarro stable and may prove a factor at first asking; quick gate work going a half mile at Gulfstream Park West Jan. 6.

BRAG DUDE is of modest ability but seems to have found his niche as a turf sprinter with a second for maiden $25,000 and a fifth for maiden $50,000; essentially splits the difference today for maiden $35,000.

SIXTH RACE

QUENANE has developed into an ultra-consistent runner for trainer Tamara Levy, going 7-4-2-1 since being claimed in July. That includes a recent victory against similar starter runners Dec. 29; accustomed to racing one turn, not two, and starts from the outside, but otherwise signals are positive. MAL GUAPO hasn’t run to expectations in his last two starts, but was razor sharp from August thru November last year and if he bounced back to his best, this 16-time winner will be formidable. TO DARE rallied to be fourth in a starter last out behind QUENANE after getting bumped at the start; benefits from drawing inside, which should allow this late runner to save ground into the first turn and stay a little more in touch with the leaders.

SEVENTH RACE

Disheartened to see how often CONGRUITY has let down his backers, losing all four of his starts as the favorite...but giving him the nod considering the challenging company he has kept, and his speed figures relative to his opponents; adds blinkers. THE MOMENT IS NOW has twice been second in three starts, including here for this maiden $50,000 tag Dec. 8 but in a race in which he only ran a 63 Beyer and an 86 TimeformUS rating. By comparison, CONGRUITY has Beyers of 62, 69, and 75 on turf, and TimeformUS ratings on the surface of 96, 100, and 103. OUTBACK BOB is a first timer with a grass pedigree that goes for a barn dangerous with debuting runners.

EIGHTH RACE

DRIVEN TO COMPETE has twice finished third in as many starts, first at Saratoga and then at Parx; five straight bullets at Palm Beach Downs for Pletcher, who figures to have him cranked for his return. BROOKLYN BOBBY has long been a popular sort at the betting windows; ran respectably on dirt to be third in a key race in June, but being by Frankel and not all that speedy, still get the impression he may be better suited to grass; another that must shake off the rust from time away. MR ATILA is returned to his surface of preference on dirt after getting outrun a couple of times on grass this meet; managed a couples on this track in April and May of last year.

NINTH RACE

KING ANGELUS towers over these in terms of last race Beyers, having posted a 77, while none of his rivals come off anything better than a 61 on today’s surface on grass; also gets class relief with the drop from a stake to run in a starter after a fourth in the Pulpit, and take note the third-place finisher from that race won an allowance at Gulf over the weekend. SEATTLE TREASURE just missed as the favorite Dec. 31 with a second for a $35,000 tag, and was claimed out of the race; wasn’t quite up to running in open stakes but otherwise his form is solid. REMEMBER THE MAINE was a narrow winner of a maiden $25,000 race in his second start; gets a class test against winners but his 60 last-race turf Beyer is competitive with all except the top choice.

TENTH RACE

LITTLE BABY BELLA disappointed in his last two races when on or pushing the pace and seems likely to fare better if eased off the pace. She scored her lone turf win in that fashion and also managed some minor awards in N2L company with stalking/closing trips; nice draw on the inside going 7 1/2 furlongs. NILE PRINCESS didn’t fire last out but has earned often managed finishe from second to fifth against classier N2L runners in New York; must overcome drawing the far outside with a short run to the first turn. PROUD LEGACY, also disadvantaged by a wide draw, has tactical speed and competitive form on turf, but has a history of weakening over the final furlong.