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The Pick Pony Mini Tip Sheet is published daily and provides consolidated analysis of all races on the card. A Pick Pony analyst prepares the report, so selections may differ from the Pick Pony Expert Picks, which are based on the consensus of all Pick Pony analysts.

Gulfstream Park offers a 12-race Saturday card headlined by the 125,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes (Race 10), a six-furlong dirt sprint for older horses. The program includes two turf maiden special weight routes at 7 1/2 furlongs (Races 1 and 12), a high-quality 1 1/8-mile dirt maiden special weight for three-year-olds (Race 8), two allowance optional claiming turf routes for fillies and mares (Races 6 and 9), a starter optional claiming six-furlong dirt sprint (Race 7), and a mix of dirt and Tapeta claiming and maiden claiming events.

The turf rail is set at 52 feet, and with no rain expected, turf races are projected to remain on the grass while Tapeta and dirt surfaces stay in standard condition. Several runners have recent scratch history (including Deference, Bombs Away, Three to G, Maggie Go, Wind Flower, Con Compania, and Wound Up), but all listed horses are currently entered on today’s card.

Weather and Track Conditions

Hallandale Beach is forecast to be mostly sunny, with afternoon highs around 80 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit and morning lows near 69 degrees. Winds will be light to moderate out of the east-southeast at roughly 5 to 10 mph, and humidity will drop from about 80 percent in the morning to the low 60s by afternoon.

There is effectively no chance of rain during racing hours, so the main track should play fast and the turf course firm. Tapeta is expected to be in typical, fair condition. Overall, conditions favor normal speed and class profiles on dirt, with reliable footing on all surfaces.

Track Bias and Post Position Notes

Meet data through mid-February shows distinct tendencies on each surface. On dirt sprints, inside posts 1 through 3 have won about 45 percent of races, and early speed and pace-pressing styles have held a clear edge, though stalkers have become more competitive in recent weeks. In dirt routes, running styles are more balanced, with a slight edge to stalkers and a still-useful but less dominant advantage for inside posts; posts 4 through 6 remain competitive.

Turf routes have produced a pronounced closer bias, with off-the-pace runners winning around 51 to 52 percent of the time, stalkers winning about 43 percent, and early speed types winning only about 14 percent. With the rail at 52 feet, ground-saving trips are helpful, but many winners have launched from off the rail with sustained late runs. In turf sprints, stalkers have accounted for about half of the winners.

On Tapeta, early speed has won roughly 51 percent of sprints, making forward placement a significant asset. In Tapeta routes, posts 4 through 6 have captured about 43 percent of the races, suggesting a subtle middle-of-the-gate post advantage.​

Race-by-Race Summary of Key Horses

Race 1 – Maiden Special Weight, 7 1/2 Furlongs Turf (3yo Fillies)

Three to G (PP7) is a strong consensus favorite off a solid debut and now adds Irad Ortiz Jr. for Danny Gargan; she has tactical speed but must overcome a wide draw in a race where turf route closers and stalkers have excelled. Little Georgie (PP2) exits a useful main-track debut, has been working sharply, and looks poised to improve on turf from a good inside post.

Copacabana (PP3) is a second-time starter for Todd Pletcher and John Velazquez, a combination that frequently moves forward with experience. Jokette (PP8) and Lady of Lords (PP10), both from the Brendan Walsh barn, offer upside as lightly raced turf types, while Four Three Forty (PP4) for George Weaver is another new factor in a deep field.

Race 2 – Maiden Claiming, 5 1/2 Furlongs Dirt (3yo Fillies)

Sweet Dream Lady (PP8) owns the best established form, with back-to-back solid efforts and a recent strong figure, and she is well positioned to exploit the inside-leaning dirt sprint bias despite drawing toward the outside. Affluenza (PP3) had a difficult inside trip in her debut and drops slightly while retaining Tyler Gaffalione, making her a key inside player if she avoids rail traffic this time.

Nasti Z (PP6), a first-time starter for Saffie Joseph Jr., has reportedly worked competitively with better barnmates and warrants attention as a live debut runner. Pom Pom (PP2) gets Irad Ortiz Jr. and looks like another logical contender on debut at this level.

Race 3 – Claiming, 6 1/2 Furlongs Dirt (4yo and Up)

Gallant Knight (PP6) projects as the key horse, possessing the fastest early pace profile and benefiting from a rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz Jr. while drawing outside his main pace rival. Lou the Body (PP7) exits a strong closing second at this level and may benefit from today’s 6 1/2-furlong distance as a late-running type in a race projecting moderate early fractions.

Sound of the Beast (PP1) brings two recent wins and a favorable inside draw but may have been flattered by bias-favored trips, which raises mild vulnerability concerns if the pace scenario or track profile shifts even slightly. Outlaw Country (PP5) has deep experience and strong lifetime earnings, but his deep-closing style may be compromised by the sprint distance.

Race 4 – Claiming, 5 1/2 Furlongs Synthetic (4yo and Up, N2L)

Lodato (PP3) is a widely endorsed top choice off a decisive maiden win and appears well suited to sit a stalking trip behind the expected early leaders on a Tapeta surface that rewards speed and close-up trips. Loud Applause (PP1) figures to show sharp speed from the rail with Edgard Zayas and could prove tough to reel in if he establishes a clear early lead.

G Speedy (PP6) returns to his preferred Tapeta surface and drops in class, giving him a chance to rebound as an off-the-pace factor in a field with several pace elements. Saint Cloud (PP5) and El Muheet (PP7) are lesser-known quantities who could pick up pieces with the right trip.​

Race 5 – Maiden Claiming, 5 Furlongs Synthetic (3yo Fillies)

Harpy (PP9) takes a meaningful class drop after facing tougher runners up north and has endured significant trip trouble in prior starts; her speed and class relief make her a primary contender on Tapeta. Little Gussie (PP8) has been favored multiple times without breaking through but now adds Irad Ortiz Jr. and gets further class relief, creating a pivotal “now-or-never” scenario.​

Tiger Eye Pearl (PP4) is a first-time starter reportedly working in blinkers, a positive angle in a cheap maiden sprint where early focus and speed are premium assets. Chispuda (PP11) has attracted support from multiple handicappers as a improving type who can take advantage of a hot pace.

Race 6 – Allowance Optional Claiming, 1 1/16 Miles Turf (F&M)

Phoenix of Wit (PP3) has already handled this condition with a win at Tampa and brings competitive form from a solid allowance race against subsequent stakes-caliber foes; she figures to sit close to the pace in a race lacking obvious speed. Timeless Wonder (PP4) returns for Todd Pletcher and John Velazquez and has prior success in this condition, making her a key midpack runner in a race where the turf route bias favors finishers.

Starship Melody (PP2) is coming off a career-best turf effort and appears to be improving, with a sharp recent workout suggesting continued forward form. Jalila (PP5) had a difficult trip when checked and forced wide last time and could be dangerous with a more efficient run. Ivory and Ebony (PP10) and High South (PP9) are longer-priced possibilities with enough class and stamina to take advantage if the pace collapses.

Race 7 – Starter Optional Claiming, 6 Furlongs Dirt (4yo and Up)

Jimmies Big Day (PP6) ran well from the rail last time in a race that favored outside paths late and now draws a better outside post at his preferred six-furlong distance, making him a leading candidate in a race that suits his pressing style. To the Eastside (PP3) exits a very strong race that has already produced a next-out winner and figures to be competitive again despite potential inside-trip concerns.

Zydeceaux (PP7) profiles as the main speed and could take this field a long way on the front end if he reaches the preferred part of the track. He Be Hoppin (PP1) and Alarik (PP5) are supporting pace elements and could stick around for minor shares.​

Race 8 – Maiden Special Weight, 1 1/8 Miles Dirt (3yo)

Fancy Gentleman (PP5) is a strong favorite off a high-quality second-place finish behind a promising winner in his two-turn debut, where he had to race on the less-favorable deep rail late. He pairs leading rider Tyler Gaffalione with trainer Danny Gargan and appears poised to graduate at today’s distance. Autobahn (PP7) has also been facing strong competition and should move forward in his second route try from an advantageous outside draw with Irad Ortiz Jr.

Ovechkin (PP6) had a compromised trip when switched to turf in his seasonal debut and now adds blinkers on dirt; his work pattern suggests remaining upside and potential value behind the top pair. Infinite Light (PP3) and Overview (PP4), both from the Todd Pletcher barn, are well-bred colts capable of stepping forward with experience and distance.​

Race 9 – Allowance Optional Claiming, 1 1/16 Miles Turf (F&M)

Maggie Go (PP11) is a Chad Brown-trained mare returning to turf after a main-track outing, with prior graded-level turf form that fits very well here; she attracts Irad Ortiz Jr. and is widely viewed as the mare to beat. Pretty Lavish (PP9) ran deceptively well last time after a mid-race traffic issue and finished strongly when first at this condition, suggesting she is prepared to deliver another top effort with a clean trip.

Afrodita (PP8) has been competitive against tougher company and may appreciate the drop into this allowance/optional claiming spot, though the claiming tag raises slight caution. Lady Kathryn (PP6) has the speed to control the pace but must overcome the strong closer bias that has worked against front-running turf routers at this meet.

Race 10 – Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes, 6 Furlongs Dirt (4yo and Up)

Damon’s Mound (PP6) is a 7–5 morning-line favorite, a multiple graded stakes winner and near-millionaire who has won back-to-back Sunshine Sprints at Gulfstream and is 2-for-2 at this track. He is trained by Bill Mott, whose stakes runners have been exceptionally successful this meet, and he again teams with Junior Alvarado. Con Compania (PP8) shortens back to a sprint from a route attempt and is well drawn outside to stalk the speed, profiling as a logical alternative in case the favorite faces more pressure than usual.

Wound Up (PP5) exits a strong try in the Mr. Prospector and picks up Irad Ortiz Jr., which adds appeal despite the barn’s relatively quiet early-season record. Jack’s Promise (PP2), from the Dale Romans barn, is a lightly raced colt with strong local sprint form and a sharp recent workout, making him an interesting up-and-coming stakes player. Rolando (PP7) brings back proven local stakes success and consistent Gulfstream sprint form, and could capitalize if the pace turns hot.

Race 11 – Claiming, 1 Mile 70 Yards Synthetic (F&M)

Mi Triguena (PP8) steps up off a career-best Tapeta performance and is well suited to a pace setup that appears likely to be honest or even contested, allowing her closing style to be effective. U Know When U Know (PP3) also exits a career-best effort and fits the same closer profile, with a mid-gate post that aligns with the Tapeta route bias.

Compass Rises (PP1) was reclaimed by a barn that has already succeeded with her at this level and should be running on late despite the rail draw. Geaux Amy (PP2), with Irad Ortiz Jr. for Rohan Crichton, qualifies as another live contender who can sit just off the speed. More Than Glory (PP4) draws an advantageous middle post and has been highlighted as a possible value horse in this wide-open route.

Race 12 – Maiden Special Weight, 7 1/2 Furlongs Turf (3yo Fillies)

Celebrity Warrior (PP8) is an Irish-bred second-time starter for Todd Pletcher who endured a disastrous trip in her debut yet still showed ability; she now gets a clean slate on her preferred surface and is considered the strongest closing filly in a race that plays to turf finishers. Conciliation (PP9) is a well-regarded first-time starter from the Bill Mott barn, with a strong work pattern suggesting readiness for a competitive debut at this trip.

She Reigns (PP2), from the Mark Casse–Irad Ortiz Jr. combination, is another major player with turf upside, while Vekoma View (PP4) has pedigree and a better surface scenario today after a somewhat inconclusive Tapeta debut. Let’s Go Barbie (PP5) and Use Me (PP1) provide additional depth for connections that typically thrive in turf maiden routes.