ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 4, VOODOO ZIP

FIRST RACE

Another 4-day Gulf race week ends with an 11-race Sunday card that starts at 12:45 ET. Possible thundershowers (all picks here assume turf stays ON) and a high of 84 are in the SoFla forecast, and a Rainbow 6 (races 6-11) that’s comprised entirely of allowances/stakes (wow!) is expected to offer a guaranteed pool of at least $500k, assuming the jackpot wasn’t swept Friday or Saturday. Last-out maiden-breakers aren’t always your best play when they wheel back for the first time in N2L company, and yet I’M PRAYINGFORTHAT and HOLLY HILL both look like major contenders in the opener; either seems capable with a repeat effort. GOLDEN TAP is interesting on this distance turnback.

SECOND RACE

Timmy Hills wastes little time jamming TEMPUS down for this bottom-level mdn.-claiming tag after the gelding returned with a poor effort vs. $40k types; still, that solid race last fall in NY makes him a major consideration here, especially in view of him probably needing the last out over difficult going. O DRISCOLL was overmatched by MSWs when debuting at 24-1; barn makes moves to win, however. EMBUSTERO comes unveiled by the everdangerous Delgado.

THIRD RACE

Tricky open-$35k sprint for 3yos has a number of viable players, but we’ll stick to the rail and LIKE YOU, whose 2-back starter score going a mile was done the right way; enough speed to his outside to yield a nice stalking trip for the underrated Vasquez. INTER MIAMI shows up in the PPs of a couple of these others for that gutsy score at the championship meet; comes well-spotted here. The two outside horses, R U LUCKY and first-gelded GRAN CASIQUE, both can loom large when fresh from the same March 4 race won by ‘Miami.

FOURTH RACE

A string of frustration with those back-to-back-toback runner-up finishes for VOODOO ZIP, but happy times could be in store for a Gargan trainee poised to finally graduate; looking for Saez to push the right buttons on the day’s best. HOLY EMPEROR ran well in his only turf try; stayed fit, at least, when fading in the most recent off-turf start. UNRIGHTEOUS surely will draw play with Irad up for Todd & Calumet; perhaps they entered with the hope of rains coming and this race being moved to the main track.

FIFTH RACE

That 1-for-23 for RED FOG is no bargain, but worth noting he did actually finish first at this same N2L level when DQ’d two-back; now Irad takes over as he turns back ever so slightly to this one-turn mile. GEONOSIS class-plunges very aggressively for Sano after being away nearly 5 months; hard to say what this guy’s all about. DAZZLING PROSE emerged a distant 2nd in the fog/rain race that tacked on yet another in-money finish to his 1-for29 slate.

SIXTH RACE

Here’s Gargan again as the Rainbow 6 gets under way with this 1x filly-mare turf route and MUSIC OF LIFE looming the one to beat when well-drawn toward the hedge; first-off-claim winner at the championship meet figures fresh and fit off the nine-week break for a trainer with far-aboveaverage stats in most categories that apply here. Farthest outside, HOTSY TOTSY comes a sleeper for the Clement stable after taking further regroup

ing; Irad in the boot, too. SCATNAP, a 10-time winner, still seems capable at 7, especially if the others make any mistakes.

SEVENTH RACE

Looking for SQUEEZADIOS and Torres to assume the perfect stalking spot from his open-air outer box after SNIPER SHOT, stretching out for Todd, hooks up with the speedy MAX K. O. down the backside; made-to-order scenario for a solid route type who’s been 1st or 2nd in 9 of 16. The inside trio probably get left behind this outside trio.

EIGHTH RACE

Two-back Fla. Derby week upset by RIJEKA probably not a fluke, as he’s liable to contend here for Saffie when taking a subtle drop-back in class when entered for the optional $35k tag; well-timed Lebron ride is on order going this somewhat rare 12-furlong distance. NOBLE THOUGHT returns to grass when sporting a typical Maker look, i.e., he’s live and dangerous when getting all this ground with which to work; Irad, too. DUC DE CALAS was 2nd behind the top pick for Clement in the key 3/25 race and comes a player with a similar effort.

NINTH RACE

A break in the training of PHAT MAN for several weeks following those huge back-to-back Gulf stakes efforts no longer seems that big a deal, as he now has posted 5 works across the Fla. peninsula for Sweezey; hard-hitting gelding has the tactical ability to stay close enough here before asserting his class. Right alongside, JUST WHISTLE clearly outran his 24-1 odds when 2nd behind a 60-1 winner on the Fla. Derby undercard; Matz trainee runs hard down the lane. BIG DOLLAR BILL might be at a pace disadvantage here but could be up late for a smaller share.

TENTH RACE

Taking a stab here with the classy DARK ARTIST despite the layoff of nearly 8 months; sufficient amount of opposing speed signed on, and Cibelli a standout with higher-end grassers like this gal; inner post and a sneaky trip under Vasquez don’t hurt. MISS MUNNINGS ran pretty well in a G3 after a terrific series of well-spaced races; clearly likes the local course. BEALE STREET could be flying late given this cut-back to 8.5 furlongs.

ELEVENTH RACE

Don’t think you’ll be sinking into 9-2 like bettors got last time when CATHARSIS and Irad rallied to win this same type of higher-end turf dash; plenty of other speed to set the table for another determined effort and quite possibly a third straight score to send you home. DISTINCTLY BLUE figures sharp off the 3+ month rest for underrated connections (C.David); should loom a presence when coming reasonably spotted. MISS MIAMI stands to benefit from her latest when also eligible to come running late.