The Ft. Lauderdale

While it would be nice to actually be on a beach somewhere near Ft. Lauderdale, I am wondering just how cold it’s going to get in the next few days here in New England .For some of us, it’s a 3 day weekend. And as a horseplayer, well yes, I too, have a dream. (Well a number of them really). But who doesn’t dream of hitting a big one???

Not totally prepared on going into 3 days of wagering, but I am working on it.

I’ve taken a look at the Grade 3 Ft. Lauderdale, the 10th race on the Saturday card. It is a 1&1/16 turf event and here are my thoughts.

Mutual Trust is a newly turned 4 year old Juddmonte homebred. He is a group 1 winner in France and he is coming off a 5 month layoff. He is getting first time Lasix, and has been prepping well over the deep Payson Park surface. It’s a new distance for him, but I doubt that will be an issue. Will he like the hard and fast Gulfstream strip?

Flat Out is a Grade 1 winner and an earner of a million plus. He has run with the best of them in 2011, including a 3 length loss in the Breeder’s Cup Classic. He has never raced on grass, though he has worked on it twice. This is not a bad spot for him to try it out and should he take to it he could be tough.

Silver Medallion is in great form, and it doesn’t hurt when the Pletcher barn is hitting on all cylinders (36%). Guys Reward is an old friend and is as consistent as they come. He was given a freshener and had a good race back. With that as a tightener, he is a horse that you cannot leave out of any exotics. He always fires.

And what to do with Hoofit? At first glance, he doesn’t look like he measures up, but the connections did think enough of him to run in the BC Grass Sprint, where he had a rough trip.

My “light up the tote board bomb” in here is Kindergarden Kid. I think this horse has improved a lot since being gelded. Maybe the best bred horse in the race, the Dynaformers can improve as they get older. He is versatile enough in his running style, but also has some tactical speed. I cannot ignore those bullets in the am .Will the 12 hole hurt? Will J. Lep help?

I will be looking to the post parade for any late clues in another puzzle of a turf race at Gulfstream. Hope you have a dream come true kind of gambling day!