Pick Pony Tip Sheet – Expert picks for Gulfstream Park, December 21, 2025. 40% WIN RATE + 1 EXACTA + 1 BOXED TRIFECTA


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Race 1 – Maiden Special Weight, 1100Y Turf, 11:20am WIN ($6.00) + EXACTA ($12.10)

Win: I C Light (#4) – 50%🥇
Place: Four Courts (#8) – 33%
Show: Finding Candy (#9) – 50%🥈
Alternative: Fuoco Vivo (#11) – 33%

Analysts favor I C Light’s speed and connections, with the Mark Casse trainee showing promise in previous outings. Four Courts debuts for Patrick Biancone with strong breeding. Finding Candy returns from a break after a solid third-place debut, representing value at longer odds. The 1100-yard turf sprint suits horses with early speed, creating tactical challenges for closers.

Race 2 – Maiden Optional Claiming, 1100Y Dirt, 11:52am

Win: Bottomless Mimosa (#5) – 60%🥉
Place: Been Busy (#4) – 67%🥇
Show: Chitchatchitchat (#2) – 40%
Alternative: Hidden Agenda (#3) – 25%

Bottomless Mimosa draws strong consensus support despite inconsistent form, while Been Busy debuts for Todd Pletcher with John Velazquez aboard, commanding significant attention. The race represents a guessing game with limited data, making trainer and jockey combinations critical evaluation factors. Chitchatchitchat returns from an extended break for Michael Trombetta’s barn.

Race 3 – Claiming, 1320Y Dirt, 12:24pm, Purse $40,000 WIN ($5.20)

Win: You Ain’t Poppn (#1) – 60%🥇
Place: Rocketeer (#6) – 40%🥉
Show: Wistucky (#2) – 67%
Alternative: Roar Ready (#4) – 75%🥈

You Ain’t Poppn returns from an extended layoff dropping in class with Saffie Joseph connections providing confidence. Rocketeer enters from the same powerful stable, creating a tactical dilemma for handicappers. Wistucky finished a close second in recent course-and-distance effort. The drop to claiming level from allowance competition benefits several runners who face softer conditions.

Race 4 – Maiden Claiming, 1210Y Dirt, 12:54pm, Purse $29,000 BOXED TRIFECTA

Win: If I Can Dream (#3) – 57%🥉
Place: Losmastix (#4) – 57%
Show: Value Inthe Clouds (#5) – 50%🥈
Alternative: Italian Wine (#7) – 33%🥇

If I Can Dream drops significantly in class for Saffie Joseph after middle-of-pack efforts at higher levels. Losmastix showed promise with a second-place finish at debut, dropping to maiden claiming. Value Inthe Clouds earned a second-place finish last time, benefiting from class relief. The competitive nature of this juvenile contest creates opportunities for longshots with proper pace scenarios.

Race 5 – Claiming, 8F Turf, 1:24pm

Win: Brigade Commander (#4) – 43%
Place: Conquering King (#3) – 40%🥉
Show: Sky’s Not Falling (#10) – 50%🥇
Alternative: Tocayo (#6) – 40%

Brigade Commander just missed as the favorite last time, returning in peak form. Conquering King resumes from a break following a Gulfstream victory. Sky’s Not Falling drops from Laurel Park after a runner-up performance. The eight-furlong turf distance favors horses with tactical speed who can position well throughout. Multiple contenders create value opportunities in exotic wagering.

Race 6 – Maiden Special Weight, 8F 110Y Turf, 2:01pm, Purse $70,000

Win: Irresistible (#7) – 29%
Place: Lion Lake (#15) – 40%
Show: Chartist (#1) – 43%
Alternative: Nonconsecutivetrms (#13) – 29%🥈

This wide-open maiden turf route features 16 declared runners, creating significant pace diversity. Irresistible returns from a break for Todd Pletcher with consistent place form. Lion Lake arrives as a contender with European breeding. Nonconsecutivetrms has placed in stronger company. The marathon distance rewards horses with stamina and closing ability, diminishing early speed advantages.

Race 7 – Claiming, 1320Y Dirt, 2:32pm, Purse $23,500

Win: Swirvin (#7) – 100%
Place: Tap Gold (#6) – 40%
Show: Saybrook (#2) – 33%
Alternative: Rolling On (#1) – 40%🥉

Swirvin earns unanimous analyst support, dominating the consensus after a runner-up effort last time. The Eniel Cordero trainee drops in class and shows fitness advantages. Tap Gold returns from a layoff with solid Gulfstream course history. The six-furlong dirt sprint distance creates pace pressure scenarios favoring tactical runners who can rate behind early speed.

Race 8 – Allowance Optional Claiming, 8F 110Y Turf, 3:02pm, Purse $57,000 WIN

Win: Silver Moonlight (#6) – 43%🥇
Place: Random Harvest (#3) – 57%🥉
Show: Mama Bella (#4) – 60%
Alternative: Amie’s Symphony (#2) – 33%

Silver Moonlight seeks a third consecutive victory for Saffie Joseph after wins at Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream. Random Harvest returns from a break with consistent place performances. Mama Bella drops from her last start for Jose D’Angelo. The competitive fillies and mares turf route creates multiple contenders with legitimate winning chances, making exotic wagers particularly valuable.

Race 9 – Claiming, 1320Y Dirt, 3:32pm, Purse $24,500 WIN

Win: Maerdama (#3) – 75%🥇
Place: Shelovestotravel (#9) – 33%
Show: Five Eyes Onmichel (#1) – 50%🥉
Alternative: Alanis (#2) – 40%

Maerdama commands dominant consensus support after a runner-up finish last time for Saffie Joseph. Shelovestotravel brings tactical speed for Jose D’Angelo’s barn. Five Eyes Onmichel shows consistency with multiple placings. The fillies and mares claiming sprint creates opportunities for speed horses who can establish early position. Maerdama’s morning line favorite status reflects strong handicapping consensus.

Race 10 – Claiming, 8F Turf, 4:02pm, Purse $31,000

Win: Eton (#6) – 100%
Place: Jurisprudence (#11) – 29%🥈
Show: The Great Oscar (#3) – 33%
Alternative: Try To Make Cents (#5) – 33%🥉

Eton receives unanimous analyst support after placing as favorite last time for Carlos David. Jurisprudence returns from a break trained by Chad Brown, adding pedigree appeal. The Great Oscar brings consistency to the geldings turf route. The one-mile turf distance creates late-running scenarios where closers can mount rally attempts. Eton’s dominant consensus reflects form advantages in competitive claiming company.


Recommended Exotic Plays by Race

Race 1

Exacta Box: 4-8-9 ($6 for $1 base)
Trifecta: 4,8 / 4,8,9,11 / 4,6,8,9,11 ($16 for $0.50 base)
The multiple consensus picks create value in boxing top selections, with Finding Candy offering price appeal in the third position.

Race 2

Exacta: 5 / 4,5 / 2,3,4 ($4 for $1 base)
Daily Double (R2-R3): 4,5 / 1,2,6 ($6 for $1 base)
The Bottomless Mimosa/Been Busy combination provides foundation for exotic construction, while the Daily Double connects to a competitive claiming race.

Race 3

Trifecta: 1 / 2,6 / 2,4,6 ($4 for $1 base)
Exacta: 1,6 / 1,2,4,6 ($6 for $1 base)
You Ain’t Poppn’s consensus support warrants keying in exotics, with Rocketeer and Wistucky providing coverage from the same connections.

Race 4

Exacta Box: 3-4-5 ($6 for $1 base)
Trifecta: 3,4 / 3,4,5 / 3,4,5,7 ($8 for $0.50 base)
The competitive maiden claiming race rewards spreading across top contenders with legitimate class advantages.

Race 5

Trifecta: 4,10 / 3,4,6,10 / 3,4,6,10 ($12 for $0.50 base)
Exacta: 4,10 / 3,4,6,10 ($8 for $1 base)
Brigade Commander and Sky’s Not Falling create exacta foundation, with Conquering King and Tocayo offering value in expanded positions.

Race 6

Exacta: 7,13,15 / 1,2,7,10,13,15 ($18 for $1 base)
Trifecta Key: 7,13,15 / ALL / ALL ($78 for $0.50 base)
The massive field creates opportunities for windfall payouts, justifying wider coverage with multiple top selections keyed.

Race 7

Win: Swirvin (#7) ($5 to win)
Exacta: 7 / 1,2,6,7 ($4 for $1 base)
Swirvin’s unanimous support makes win betting appropriate, with exacta coverage providing insurance against upset outcomes.

Race 8

Exacta Box: 3-6 ($2 for $1 base)
Trifecta: 3,6 / 2,3,4,6 / 2,3,4,6 ($8 for $0.50 base)
Silver Moonlight and Random Harvest create powerful exacta combination, with Mama Bella and Amie’s Symphony filling exotic positions.

Race 9

Win/Place: Maerdama (#3) ($5 win, $3 place)
Exacta: 3 / 1,2,9 ($3 for $1 base)
Maerdama’s dominant consensus justifies win/place wagering, with exacta providing coverage against secondary contenders.

Race 10

Win/Place: Eton (#6) ($5 win, $3 place)
Exacta: 6 / 3,5,11 ($3 for $1 base)
Eton’s unanimous selection makes straight wagering appropriate, with exacta offering value against secondary selections.

Multi-Race Sequences

Pick 3 (R8-R9-R10): 3,6 / 3,9 / 6 ($4 for $1 base)
Pick 4 (R7-R8-R9-R10): 7 / 3,6 / 3 / 6 ($2 for $1 base)
The strong consensus picks in closing races create opportunities for multi-race sequence wagering with concentrated tickets.


Value Play Observations

Race 1: Finding Candy (#9) at 6-1 represents significant value despite 50% consensus support. The 10-week layoff concerns diminish given the solid third-place debut and Antonio Sano training. Four Courts (#8) at 5-2 offers value as a first-time starter with strong Biancone/Maragh connections.

Race 2: Been Busy (#4) at 8-5 commands attention as a Todd Pletcher debut runner with John Velazquez. The stable’s success with first-time starters creates betting value despite the short price. Chitchatchitchat (#2) returns from a lengthy break at 9-2, offering exotic value for Michael Trombetta’s resurgent barn.

Race 3: The competitive nature creates opportunities throughout. Rocketeer (#6) at 5-2 provides value from the Joseph barn despite consensus favoring stablemate You Ain’t Poppn. Top Maverick (#3) at 20-1 represents longshot value with recent placing form.

Race 4: Value Inthe Clouds (#5) at 7-2 shows consistent form with a recent second-place finish. The class drop creates winning opportunities at attractive odds. Italian Wine (#7) at 5-2 from Brian Lynch’s barn offers exotic value.

Race 5: Multiple contenders create value scenarios. Conquering King (#3) at 8-1 returns from a break following a Gulfstream victory. Tocayo (#6) at 5-2 from Jose D’Angelo provides value despite mixed consensus support.

Race 6: The massive field creates overlay opportunities throughout. Nonconsecutivetrms (#13) at 5-2 has placed in stronger company. Chartist (#1) at 15-1 offers longshot value returning from a break for Miguel Clement. World Builder (#10) at 20-1 represents extreme value with consistent place form.

Race 7: With Swirvin (#7) commanding unanimous support at 7-5, value exists in exotic positions. Etendre (#4) at 7-2 returns from a winning effort. Saybrook (#2) at 6-1 offers value after recent victory.

Race 8: Random Harvest (#3) at 2-1 provides value despite strong form returning from a break. Amie’s Symphony (#2) at 10-1 shows consistent recent performances, creating exotic value opportunities.

Race 9: With Maerdama (#3) dominating at 7-5, alternative value exists. Shelovestotravel (#9) at 5-1 brings tactical speed creating upset potential. Alanis (#2) at 10-1 returns from a break with placing form.

Race 10: Eton’s (#6) unanimous support at 2-1 diminishes win betting value but creates opportunities in exotic positions. The Great Oscar (#3) at 8-1 provides place/show value. Jurisprudence (#11) at 5-1 from Chad Brown’s barn represents quality overlay.

The comprehensive analysis reveals multiple races with divided opinions creating value opportunities. Races with unanimous consensus (Race 7, Race 10) suggest strong form advantages but limited win betting value, while competitive races (Race 1, Race 6) create exotic wagering opportunities with multiple legitimate contenders.

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