Opportunities abound on Pegasus undercard

Gulfstream Park has plenty to choose from Saturday with a strong 11-race undercard before the main event, the inaugural running of the $12 million Pegasus World Cup (G1).

TwinSpires.com players can share in a $12,000 Prize Pool by wagering a minimum of $250, with bets in at least six individual races, on the 11-race undercard. Multi-race wagers count toward the total as long as they don’t include Race 12. Make sure to qualify by selecting the $12K Prize Pool icon from the “contests & promotions” page & click the “Opt In” banner.

My Pegasus win pick is up at the TwinSpires Blog.

Here are my thoughts on the undercard:

Race 2: Liked the maiden win by #3 Sweeping Paddy and she ran well from post 14 in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) after being fanned wide on both turns, finishing only 4 ¼ lengths back. Expecting her to fire off the shelf.

The early Pick 4 kicks off in Race 2 and I will single Stanford in the final leg.

Race 5: #4 Stanford appears to be controlling speed again and can’t envision him losing to these foes following an impressive win in the December 17 Harlan’s Holiday (G3). But he’s even-money on the morning line and will offer no value in the straight pools.

Stanford will be singled in the first leg of the middle Pick 4 (races 5-8).

Race 6: #10 Appealing Briefs appears ready to graduate for James Toner. Sire Tizway is proving extremely adept with turf runners (17%) and Appealing Briefs was probably best finishing a troubled second at this level over the course last out.

Race 8: Todd Pletcher loves to unveil talented prospects on big days and #3 Blind Ambition could have the goods. $400,000 Tapit colt shows a recent 5-furlong bullet work in preparation.

Race 9: Pletcher wins at nearly 30% off an extended layoff and brings back Gulfstream turf sprint specialist #2 Manhattan Dan in this spot. Javier Castellano picks up mount and I like the speedster wire to wire.

Race 10: Graham Motion has 3 wins, 3 seconds and 2 thirds from 13 starts – his horses are running well this meet -- and I will go with #7 Arles in her seasonal bow. She registered a 106 BRIS Late Pace rating when just missing in her first North American debut, the Glen Falls (G3) at Saratoga in early September, and came back with a big effort in the November 24 Red Carpet (G3) at Del Mar, finishing a nose second to Japanese star Nuevo Record. Can return to the winner’s circle today.

Race 11: #11 Sadler’s Joy will be tested for class in his stakes debut but liked the way he concluded 2016, recording three straight turf wins at Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct. Registered a 110 Late Pace rating last time and his main rivals are far from overwhelming. Tabbing the improving 4yo for a minor upset.

Wagers ($250)

Race 2:		$20 win #3
		50-cent Pick 4: 1,2,3,6,7 with 1,3,5,6,10 with 2,3,4,5,6,11,12,13 with 4 ($100)
Race 5:		50-cent Pick 4: 4 with 3,5,7,9,10,14 with 2,9,10,11,12 with 3,11 ($30)
Race 6:		$20 win #10
Race 8:		$20 win #3
Race 9:		$20 win #2
Race 10:		$20 win #7
Race 11:		$20 win #11