How to bet the Juvenile Fillies Sprint at Gulfstream Park

Eight two-year-old fillies will dash six panels over the main surface at Gulfstream Park in Saturday’s $75,000 Juvenile Fillies Sprint S. In a race that is very competitive and lacking a standout, I’ll look for some value with #3 Early Spark (8-1) for trainer Armando De La Cerda. 

Juvenile Fillies Wagers

• $12 win and place #3 Early Spark ($24)
• $4 exacta key box 3 with 2,7,8 ($24)

The daughter of the late Early Voting ran evenly when third on debut on the synthetic, then posted a solid fourth-place result on the green in her second try, but the filly improved since moving to the dirt two back. Early Spark graduated over a muddy, sealed surface in going-away fashion two back, and she was caught late in a subsequent allowance try in her most recent appearance after leading late. The $40,000 yearling purchase will race with blinkers on for the first time on Saturday, and if she shows any improvement with the equipment change, then she will be in the mix late at a nice number beneath Diego Herrera. 

The Jose D’Angelo-trained #2 Army Salute (6-1) has a lot of speed from the gate and will make her dirt debut in the feature. By Gretzky the Great, the Florida-bred chestnut was a clear runner-up in a recent allowance heat on the synthetic, and I expect her to thrive with the surface change in this endeavor. Paco Lopez will send the speedy February foal from the opening bell. 

#7 Classic Genes (3-1) took a nice step forward in her second showing when graduating by a widening six lengths for D’Angelo, and the daughter of Classic Empire could be a nice prospect with further improvement. The May foal is not the swiftest runner from the gate in this cast, but she has rallied well in the lane in both career races to date, and the bay is in a nice spot in a sprint with a good measure of early foot signed on. She will be rolling home late under regular rider Leo Reyes. 

#8 Hot Rod Honey (5-1) burned some money last time, but she was a sharp stakes heroine on the oval two back and will be a major threat if she repeats that smart performance. The daughter of good freshman sire Roadster has a good slot on the outside of the field and will be stalking the pace under Samy Camacho.