HORSE RACING

​Gulfstream Park Horse Racing Picks for Friday 1/8/21

It's a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.

Starting at 12:35 p.m. EST, we have 10 races at Gulfstream Park. Using numberFire’s projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets.

As always, check the program for scratches and changes, and check the weather and track conditions.

(I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure in selected races, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions.)

Exchange Day and Under the Couvers, Race 7

FanDuel Racing Odds: 2/1 and 5/1

Race 7 is a 5-furlong sprint for three-year-olds on the turf. This claiming race has two favorites in Nitro Time (9/5) and Exchange Day (2/1), the latter of whom is numberFire’s top pick. Both are using first-time Lasix, and Daily Horse Picks rates Exchange Day as the top speed of the race. He’s a best bet at Guaranteed Tip Sheet.

Exchange Day has won 3-of-6 starts, including his last two, posting a career-best 85 speed figure over this turf track less than a month ago. He’s the only multiple winner in the field and is likely another wire-to-wire winner with leading jockey Luis Saez riding.

Nitro Time was claimed by EPO trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. prior to winning his last race wire-to-wire as the favorite three weeks ago. The late pace should improve for Our Hoisted Mast (10/1), who is also with first-time Lasix. Top jockey Jose Ortiz rides Under the Couvers (5/1) again after winning just five days ago at 5 furlongs with faster fractions than Exchange Day posted in winning his last race.

Star Weaver, Race 9

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2

Race 9 is a Claiming race for older horses, and it's going 5 furlongs on the turf. Favorite Star Weaver (5/2) is the projected runner-up for numberFire -- just behind winner Surprise Factor (7/2).

Star Weaver surrendered a 2-length lead when beaten by a head at the wire last time out on this turf course. That was his second runner-up finish in his last three starts along with a 7-length win on the dirt.

Surprise Factor finished third last race, but Horse Racing Radar noted his far outside No. 11 post and that he ran a solid race and now moves inside with Luis Saez aboard. Uncage the Cat (4/1) is stepping up to face winners but is capable after breaking his maiden six weeks ago with an 87 speed figure.

Six Minus and Lord of War, Race 10

FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2 and 9/2

Race 10 is Maiden Claiming race for 3-year-olds going 1 mile on the Turf. The top pick of numberFire is Tiz Tact Toe (10/1) with big longshot Uncut Gem (30/1) projected to hit the board. Guaranteed Tip Sheet likes Tiz Tact Toe to hit the board with Six Minus (7/2) the projected winner.

Horse Racing Radar notes that Six Minus is a $180,000 son of English Channel who is debuting for $50,000 for trainer Todd Pletcher, with a steady morning work tab. Leading jockey Tyler Gaffalione has been named to ride.

Tiz Tact Toe gets first-time Lasix and top jockey Jose Ortiz to ride. He’s missed the board in two starts but should improve with Lasix and a few more workouts in place off his race a month ago.

Lord of War (9/2) ran greenly in his debut a month ago and has come back with two solid works, including a bullet. In his debut, he hesitated at the start and came from way back to make up ground in the stretch and finish fourth. He now stretches out to two turns and can improve.