Gulfstream: Single for Saturday’s $37,029 Place Pick 8 carryover

On Saturday at Gulfstream Park, you could theoretically win a share of a $37,029 carryover without picking a single winning horse.

That’s the beauty of Gulfstream’s $1 Place Pick 8. The wager challenges bettors to select a top-two finisher in eight consecutive races. It’s a task easier said than done; no one has solved the Place Pick 8 during the last three racing days at Gulfstream, which is how the $37,029 carryover has accumulated. But it’s a lot easier than picking eight straight winners.

Gulfstream Park: Race 4: $37,027 Place Pick 8 carryover (1:35 p.m. ET)

Betting the Place Pick 8 is much like playing any other multi-race wager. But with eight legs in the sequence, tickets can quickly grow expensive. Even if you use only two horses per race, the cost will balloon to $256, so singling in at least two legs is the only way to keep ticket costs below $100.

Our best recommendation for a single on Saturday is #4 Eight Rose’s (9-5), a Todd Pletcher trainee entered in Race 6, a one-mile maiden special weight for two-year-old fillies.

Best single: Race 6: #4 Eight Rose’s (9-5)

Purchased for $550,000 as a yearling, Eight Rose’s debuted in a six-furlong maiden special weight on Sept. 7 at Saratoga. She failed to show much speed, but passed five rivals through the final quarter-mile to finish fourth by 8 1/2 lengths. The form was flattered when runner-up Heirsuta returned to win her next start in a Belmont Park maiden special weight.

Eight Rose’s figures to find the competition a bit easier at Gulfstream Park, where she’ll face only six rivals. Stretching out over one mile could also help her chances. Eight Rose’s dam, Rose’s Desert, has previously foaled Saudi Cup (G1) winner Senor Buscador, Sunland Derby (G3) conqueror Runaway Ghost, Sunland Park H. winner Sheriff Brown, Harry Henson S. heroine Aye Candy, and Lexington (G3) runner-up The Hell We Did, all capable route racers.

Is Eight Rose’s a lock to win? No, not necessarily. Her own stablemate #2 Bashfully (5-1) is a viable threat while switching to dirt off a pair of unplaced efforts in turf maiden special weights at Saratoga, and first-time starter #7 Starship Stella could potentially challenge for trainer Jose D’Angelo, a 14% winner with horses debuting over one mile or farther.

But Eight Rose’s doesn’t need to win. She only needs to finish in the top two. That goal appears well within reach, so Eight Rose’s is a logical horse to single in the Place Pick 8.

Good luck!