December 13, 2024
Jeff Siegel’s “What You Need to Know”
Gulfstream Park/Los Alamitos
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GULFSTREAM PARK RACE 6: Post: 3:02 PM ET Grade: B+
Top Selection/Prime Play: 6-Ruth
Forecast: In a maiden main track miler for juvenile fillies in which the known element doesn’t impress, let’s opt for a promising first timer. Ruth, a homebred daughter of Uncle Mo, has done some very good work in the morning for trainer T. Pletcher, lands top rider I. Ortiz, Jr., and looks well-spotted to graduate at first asking at 8/5 on the morning line. A full sister to the high class, multiple stakes winning filly Mopotism, she may not be sprinter quick, so it makes sense to debut her at this elongated distance. The barn has solid stats with the first time starter angle and the work tab should have her plenty fit; let’s back her with enthusiasm on the tote and in the various rolling exotics.
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LOS ALAMITOS RACE 8: Post: 4:00 PT Grade: B+
Top Selection/Prime Play: 7-Itzel
Forecast: Itzel lost her chance with a poor start in her most recent outing but did well to rally and finish a willing third in a race she might have won with a clean break. She finished a distant fourth in her debut in her only prior outing on the main track but there really isn’t any reason she won’t handle dirt. The P. Miller-trained filly lands the cozy outside post, adds blinkers, switches to A. Fresu, takes a one level class drop, and shows four nice breezes in the interim, so we’re expecting the daughter of Mo Town to snap back with a major effort. At 5/2 on the morning line, she offers good value in the win pool and in the various exotic plays.
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