How to bet the Ginger Punch Handicap

A cast of 10 fillies and mares will go one mile on the Gulfstream Park green in Saturday’s $75,000 Ginger Punch H. It’s a fascinating event in that three of the major players in the field love to be sent from the break, so I will side with a talented late runner for the top selection. 

Ginger Punch Wagers

• $15 win and place #5 Lady Cha Cha ($30)
• 50-cent trifecta 5 with 3,4,10 with all ($10.50)

#5 Lady Cha Cha is one of two major threats in the tilt for conditioner Saffie Joseph, and she gets the nod from off the early tempo. The Vino Rosso filly didn’t run her best on the synthetic last time, but the four-year-old had good form on the green leading up to that endeavor and is a two-time winner on the local grass, too. Florida-bred bay was favored in the Powder Break S. two back when finishing a closing fourth against a few of her contenders in this one, and she will be rolling late on Saturday with Edgard Zayas in the stirrups. 

#10 Starship Impulsive has run off to four wins in succession, going long on the course, and has to be given a serious look in this endeavor. Trained by Steven Dwoskin, who has a pair of entrants in the affair, the sophomore daughter of Improbable proved capable of winning without securing the early edge in her latest try and is too sharp to omit. Regular pilot Leonel Reyes will take the reins. 

#4 Charlie’s Wish doesn’t have a world of turf experience, but the mare put in a nice late run to be a clear third in a similar type of spot most recently, and makes sense on this day. She was a stakes winner on the Tampa turf last season and could surely move up while making just a third run since January for David Fawkes. Miguel Vasquez will be up. 

#3 Lets Go Koko is the high weight in the group at 121 pounds and can surely be in the mix with improvement. The Rory Miller charge was a stakes winner on the oval three back, and the filly by Adios Charlie should be more fit second time off the break. Edwin Gonzalez will take the reins.