A quick glance at the past performance lines for Saturday's Race 9 feature at Gulfstream Park West is all that is needed to figure out that Bodexpress will be a rather imposing horse to beat.
Bodexpress is rated as the 4-5 morning-line favorite against five rivals in the 1 1/16-mile optional claiming allowance for good reason, having placed in multiple graded stakes, including the 2019 Florida Derby (G1), in which he finished second to Maximum Security, at Gulfstream Park.
So, naturally, the Gustavo Delgado-trained 4-year-old colt is a no-brainer Rainbow 6 'single,' right? …Right?? …Right???
OK, so maybe Bodexpress hasn't always been the most reliable betting proposition during his career; OK, so maybe he became a fan favorite as much through his sometimes erratic bad-boy behavior as his abundant talent; OK, so maybe the son of Bodemeister did rear up and unseat Hall of Famer John Velazquez leaving the starting gate in last year's Preakness Stakes (G1) and led the outrider on a merry chase around the Pimlico racetrack during the race.
But … if bettors take a stand that Bodexpress will behave himself Saturday, a 'single' in Race 9 will offer them better opportunities to 'spread' in the other five legs in the Rainbow 6, which will offer a jackpot pool guarantee of $250,000 after going unsolved for the first 10 days of the Fall Turf Festival Meet. After all, Bodexpress has made himself right at home at Gulfstream Park West, where he is based when he isn't on the road for stakes engagements.
The Kentucky-bred colt is undefeated in two starts at Gulfstream Park West. He broke his maiden in his eighth career race last October in his comeback race from his Preakness disaster. He came right back to break the track record for a mile while scoring by 6 ¾ lengths a month later, registering a career-best speed figure that towers over the best numbers put up by his Saturday foes.
Can't bring yourself to 'single' him? How about taking a stab with the only horse in the field to beat Bodexpress? Identifier scored a 60-1 upset over third-place finisher Bodexpress in the March 28 Hal's Hope (G3) at Gulfstream but has gone winless in three subsequent starts. How about Blewitt? The namesake of Gulfstream analyst Jason Blewitt returns to Gulfstream, where he scored an optional claiming allowance April 9 before losing four straight in New York.
Of course, there are five other competitive Rainbow 6 legs to review before deciding whether to 'single' Bodexpress, include a 'saver' or 'toss' him in Race 9.
The 20-cent Rainbow 6 sequence will span Race 5-10 Saturday, kicking off with a 1 1/16-mile turf race for $12,500 claimers that have gone winless since April 17. Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained Keep Quiet, who lost by a neck as a beaten favorite last time out, is the 8-5 favorite in a field of 10. Trainer Jenna Antonucci, who is 2-for-4 at the GPW meet, will be represented by Basha, who finished third against better at Kentucky Downs last time out. Can't Trump Kitten drops down after racing competitively in starter optional claiming company.
Race 6, a 6 ½-furlong sprint for $16,000 claiming maidens, drew a field of 10, including first-time starters trained by David Fawkes and Kathleen O'Connell. Fawkes-trained Include the Beast is daughter of The Big Beast, while O'Connell-trained Hot Babe is a daughter of Fury Kapcori. Leading jockey Edgard Zayas returns aboard Piper, who produced an improved third-place effort in her second career start while dropping to the $16,000 claiming level. Antonio Sano-trained Pink Fizz, who most recently finished a spot behind Piper after experiencing trouble at the start while making her debut.
Sandra Matier-trained Fast Fraction has been installed as a strong 7-5 morning-line favorite for Race 7, a mile-and-70-yard 6,250 claiming race for fillies and mares. The 3-year-old daughter of Algorithms, who finished second as the beaten favorite in her last two starts at a one-turn mile, will stretch out around two turns Saturday. Inedatequila, who romped to a front-running maiden victory in her first start for trainer Kent Sweezey last time out at a one-turn mile, also stretches out Saturday.
Race 8, a co-featured optional claiming allowance for fillies and mares at a mile on turf, could well prove to be a 'spread' race with several horses appearing to have win potential, including Laura Cazares-trained Zodiac Princess, who returns to turf after her three-race winning streak was snapped in an off-the-turf race last time out. Meadow Beauty, who drops down from a troubled stakes outing, and Pardon My Heart, who returns from a five-month layoff since breaking her maiden during the Championship Meet, are scheduled to represent Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse.
Race 9, win or lose, will be all about Bodexpress.
The Rainbow 6 sequence is scheduled conclude in Race 10 with a 7 ½-furlong maiden special weight race on turf that attracted a full field of 2-year-old fillies, including first-time starters trained by Casse, Sweezey, Michael Maker, Saffie Joseph Jr. and Carlos David, as well as a second-time starter trained by Kenny McPeek. Did we hear someone say, 'Spread?'
The post Gulfstream West: Bodexpress Poses A ‘Single’ Question To Rainbow 6 Bettors On Saturday appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
