Tabbing an upset in Forward Gal Stakes

An intriguing field of eight sophomore fillies will travel 7 furlongs on the Gulfstream Park dirt in Saturday’s $100,000 Forward Gal (G3). The cast has attracted a few established runners, combined with some lightly raced prospects, in what appears to be a really good betting opportunity. The majority of the money will be placed on the pair of morning-line choices but I don’t see either one being bulletproof on Saturday.

Forward Gal Analysis

There is not a confirmed front runner in the cast, with #1 Wholebodemeister, #3 Competitive Speed, and #5 Dial to Win being the swiftest gate horses in the field. With the likelihood of a reasonable early tempo, I am envisioning the speedy trio to have a big say in the outcome of the affair.

Dial to Win (20-1) is my upset selection. Trained by Timmy Hills, the daughter of Dialed In ran well on debut at Monmouth Park when runner-up at a big price in a 6-furlong special weight dash. She stretched out and moved to the lawn second time out, but the Kentucky-bred came up empty late after stalking the early tempo.

The dark bay filly graduated at Gulfstream Park West in her third assignment when leading from gate-to-wire in a facile tally without being roused late. In the recent Glitter Woman S. on the course, Dial to Win chased lone speed to the turn for home and threw in the towel late, but she will receive a much better voyage at a better price on Saturday.

Dial to Win shows a pair of useful morning moves in advance of her graded debut. And in a field where she is a bit quicker than the well-backed contenders, she will get first run at the top of the stretch over a surface that is fairly difficult to make up ground upon. Paco Lopez retains the ride.

Todd Pletcher’s #7 Zaajel looked the part in a dominant debut tally on the course under Saez. The Street Sense filly put herself into the race early, before asserting herself in the stretch and drawing off at will under the wire. The talented bay could be a prime prospect going forward, and she will be the one to hold off in the lane on Saturday. But she is no cinch with just one race to her credit.

Forward Gal Wagers

• $10 Win and Place: #5 Dial to Win ($20)
• $10 Exacta Box: 5-7 ($20)