Spot Plays for Gulfstream, Fair Grounds Feb. 28, 2026

A lot of great racing Saturday, and it kicks off rather early when Gulfstream's marathon 14-race card begins at 11:30 a.m. ET. I'll concentrate on a couple of plays in the early Double there, and will take a look at the feature at Fair Grounds later in the afternoon.

Gulfstream Park Race 1: Allowance, 11:30 a.m. ET

The move to turf sure seemed to agree with #6 Pitkin (10-1) last month, as the homebred grinded out a belated maiden win in his second start back from an extended layoff.

A solid second to future Grade 3 winner and classic-placed Gosger early in his career, he might not have to improve all that much to contend in this N1X allowance, which has attracted some stakes types but also quite a few exposed individuals. Pitkin remains with upside, too, as a half-brother to the multiple Grade 3-winning turf mare Walkathon.

Gulfstream Park Race 2: Maiden, 12:01 p.m. ET

#3 McCann (12-1) is an intriguing first-time starter from the George Weaver barn, which wins at a strong rate with this kind. 

By champion sprinter and 12% debut sire Mitole, he's out of a Grade 1-placed mare who won at first asking. She, in turn, has produced Valentine Candy, a debut winner himself and eventual six-time stakes winner.

If McCann can follow the familial trend, he can contend here at a square price.

Fair Grounds Race 8: Black Gold S., 5:45 p.m. ET

#7 Sunrise (8-1) certainly hasn't looked like a stakes-quality type, at least not on the order of full sisters Spendarella (Grade 1 winner), Spanish Loveaffair (stakes winner), and half-sister Spanish Queen (Grade 1 winner).

Perhaps this change of scenery will help. The Saratoga graduate was making little progress for the Pletcher barn in Florida, but new trainer Brendan Walsh has shown a flat-bet profit with new acquisitions in recent seasons. Hindered by trouble in several trips, Sunrise might also benefit from the blinkers coming off (they weren't helping).