Horse racing betting continues at select tracks around the country, including a busy Thursday, May 7 at Gulfstream Park (races starting at 1 p.m. ET). Analyst Monique Vag sizes up the racing odds and gives her favorite free horse racing picks for today’s action at Gulfstream.
Gulfstream Park Free Picks
Race No. 5, $30,000 Claiming, Post: 3:13 p.m. ET
Pick: No. 4 Blameless (8/1)
The favorite for this race will be overbet, especially off his two most recent efforts, but I'm not willing to accept any type of a short price on a horse who is 1-for-15 lifetime. Instead, I landed on the No. 4 horse, who gets to stretch out in distance and try his luck racing longer than a mile. He's shown some early speed recently, and in a race lacking horses wanting the front end this gelding will prove very dangerous if able to rate on the front end.
Race No. 6, $41,000 Maiden Special Weight, Post: 3:45 p.m. ET
Pick: No. 1 Celtic Brotherhood (9/5)
Looked good in his pari-mutuel debut getting to the front end and unfortunately just got out-kicked late. That racing experience could prove very useful against a field with many trying their luck on the racetrack for the first time.
Expect him once again to be put into play early and likely be the one controlling the tempo. If he’s able to rate on the front end and settle in nicely, he will prove very difficult to track down late.
Race No. 7, $23,000 Claiming, Post: 4:17 p.m. ET
Pick: No. 1 Midnight Miracle (8/1)
She's raced well versus tougher competition and seems to possess a knack for finding the Winner’s Circle. She tries turf for the first time Thursday and the move to a new surface is intriguing, given her success on the dirt.
Drawing the rail could prove advantageous for this filly who uses that to her advantage to save some ground. If she's able to settle in early on mid-pack and make one late stretch rally, she will be a factor in her first try racing over the new surface.
Race No. 9, $40,000 Allowance, Post: 5:19 p.m. ET
Pick: No. 5 Avenida Manana (8/1)
This horse sheds the claiming tag after putting together a four-race winning streak. She's won in different ways before and does appear to possess some racing versatility. That will come in handy depending on her break.
Although she will be competing versus tougher competition here, she enters in excellent form and doesn't meet the deepest group of horse. The price should be fair to take a shot, especially given how well she’s run lately.
Race No. 10, $16,000 Claiming, Post: 5:49 p.m. ET
Pick: No. 5 Flora Fantasy (6/5)
Enters on a two-race winning streak and gets another opportunity to compete versus similar company that she just beat. She's available for a claiming price tag today, so expect a big effort in what may be her last time with these current connections.
Look for this mare to make one late stretch rally once again and hopefully she’s able to track down some of the early pacesetters. Although the price will be short at post, she looks very tough to beat. **video
