Ricky’s Rockets ?: Gulfstream Park Picks for May 7, 2020

A new week of racing at Gulfstream Park means plenty of opportunities to make some money. This Early Pick 5 sequence is highlighted by a crop of 2-year-old maiden fillies looking to make their marks.

Best of luck!

Race 1: Maiden Claiming $12,500-$10,500 for 3-year-old fillies going 5 furlongs on the turf. Purse $17,000

#2 No No Nina comes into this spot making her third career start for Christophe Clement, one of the best turf trainers in the country. She takes a major drop in class and should handle this field with ease. #6 Myfirstexwife makes her first start off a two-month layoff for Jorge Abreu. After starting at the maiden special weight level, Abreu has consistently dropped his filly in class. This is the softest group that she can face, but it should be right in her wheelhouse.

Race 2: Maiden Special Weight for 2-year-old fillies going 4 1/2 furlongs on the dirt. Purse $65,000

Out of the eight runners scheduled to make the gate in this race, only two of them have prior experience. This was pretty much an ALL race in the sequence, as many of the runners have a strong chance to win their debut. #2 Tharos is my top choice and comes from the Wesley Ward barn. She was purchased for $275,000 last September, she is by top sprint sire Kantharos, and her dam, Cosmo Girl, was a sprinting stakes winner. Other runners that I am using: #3 Princess Secret, #4 Gem Thief, #5 Lyrical, #7 Briella, #8 Awesome View.

Race 3: Claiming $6,250 for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upwards going 6 furlongs on the dirt. Purse $16,000

#1 Take Charge Again drew outside in her last start, which forced her to run wide. She drew the rail in this race and should show better gate speed like she did earlier in her career. #3 Chic and Sexy is a one-trick, front-end runner. She responded well to dropping down in class most recently, breaking well and holding the early lead before getting caught. She gets Alberto Burgos once again and she will look to go gate-to-wire against a field without a lot of early speed.

Race 4: Maiden Claiming $16,000-$14,000 for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the turf. Purse $19,000

#4 Formula makes her second start for Stanley Hough after completely throwing in the towel in her debut because she checked at the start. Hough’s second-start maiden numbers (29%) suggest that she is in for a massive effort at a much easier level. Todd Pletcher is back with #5 Garner State Park, whom he owns as well as trains. She closed late in both of her career starts, so the extra 1/2 furlong could be what she needs to break her maiden. #10 Veer was disappointing in her two maiden special weight efforts but finished fourth last time out against maiden claiming $25,000 runners. Another drop in class makes her a logical pick. My top choice is #12 Caribbean Kitten for Mike Maker. She makes her Gulfstream Park debut after running at Keeneland, Churchill Downs, and Fair Grounds. She drops in class and gets Irad Ortiz, Jr., aboard.

Race 5: Claiming $30,000 for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the turf. Purse $25,000

#8 Bourbon Currency has been close to winning both of his 2020 starts. John Kimmel has been off to a great start post-championship meet (13-4-2-0) and appears to have this 5-year-old gelding firing on all cylinders.

THE TICKET

$.50 PICK 5 (Races 1-5) 2,6 / 3,4,5,7,8 / 1,3 / 4,5,10,12 / 5,7,8 – $120

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