Gulfstream Park: Stakes spot plays for Jan. 30

Racing at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

While the Holy Bull (G3) is drawing all the headlines, there are actually five stakes races Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

The supporting action includes the Forward Gal (G3), a Road to the Kentucky Oaks prep race that will award 10 qualification points to the winner.

Let’s review the four undercard stakes and put together a series of spot plays on a $75 budget.

Race 4: Kitten’s Joy S. (1 mile on turf, 1:10 p.m. ET)

#6 Never Surprised (9-5) is going to be a popular play for the jockey/trainer duo of Irad Ortiz and Todd Pletcher. The son of Constitution went undefeated in two starts at Aqueduct in the fall and most notably wired a slow-paced renewal of the 1 1/16-mile Central Park S.

I prefer the chances of #7 Kentucky Pharoah (5-2). The speedy son of American Pharoah hasn’t been headed in two starts on turf and carved out a solid pace on his way to a three-length victory in the 1-mile Dania Beach S. at Gulfstream last month.

The Calumet Farm homebred clearly loves the Gulfstream course and appears to have a bit more tactical speed than Never Surprised, which gives him an advantage in the battle for early supremacy.

$20 exacta: 7 with 6

Race 6: Swale (G3, 7 furlongs, 2:10 p.m. ET)

There is a lot of speed entered in the Swale, which could lend an edge to #5 Drain the Clock (5-2). The son of Maclean’s Music combines excellent tactical speed with the ability to rate behind the leaders, which sets the stage for a perfect trip.

On Jan. 2, Drain the Clock tracked a blazing pace in Gulfstream’s 6-furlong Limehouse S. and powered clear to win by 7 1/2 lengths.

Drain the Clock’s career-best 97 Brisnet Speed rating tops the Swale field, so let’s bet him on top in the superfecta and key three-time stakes winner #4 Poppy’s Pride (4-1) underneath.

$4 superfecta: 5 with 4 with 1,6 with 1,2,6 ($16)
$4 superfecta: 5 with 1,6 with 4 with 1,2,6 ($16)
Total: $32

Race 9: Forward Gal (G3, 7 furlongs, 3:46 p.m. ET)

#7 Zaajel (7-5) dominated her debut over this track and distance last month, when she drew off to win by 7 1/4 lengths. The Pletcher-trained filly turned in a sharp, 5-furlong workout Saturday and is a logical candidate to win right back.

But don’t sleep on the chances of #4 Queen Arella (20-1), who overcame a troubled break to win her debut over this track last spring. The daughter of Speightster failed to challenge in a pair of stakes races at Saratoga during the summer, but she has been freshened and is training up a storm in preparation for her return.

We’ll use Zaajel and Queen Arella to kick off a pair of double wagers.

$18 double: 7 with 4
$5 double: 4 with 4
Total: $23

Race 10: Sweetest Chant (G3, 1 mile on turf, 4:18 p.m. ET)

It’s going to be tough for anyone to catch #4 Con Lima (5-2).

The frontrunning Pletcher trainee is undefeated in two starts racing a mile over the Gulfstream turf course and most recently dominated the Ginger Brew S. by 3 1/4 lengths.