Gulfstream Park Hotlist - December 17

Today’s Gulfstream Park Hot List races to watch
Friday, Dec. 17, 2021

By Bob Ehalt and Matt Shifman

Hot List Key:     

A : A preferred horse to watch                   B: Secondary horse to watch
*C: Went down 2 or more betting notches in the final 3 minutes and finished 1st through 3rd
*D: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 4^th or worse
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

1^st race – (8) Happy’s Nice Candy showed some speed last time out and may hang on here. (2) Only Girl switches to Jaramillo and could wake up here. (7) Nadine’s Girl drops to a level where she should be effective. (3) Fleche d’Amour will benefit from a class drop. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-7-8. Doubles: 2-3-7-8 with 1-2-3.

2nd race – (1) Friar Tuck has the kind of speed that should be effective at this lower level and from the rail. (2) Bastien Le Brown has been no worse than third in his last four starts and should have a say in the outcome. (3) Boldness could turn in a better showing for a new outfit. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3.

4th race – (2) Spicy Honey tackles claimers for the first time and gets the nod here. (1) Z First moves over to the turf course and should relish a ground-saving trip. (8) Countessoflovelace is worth a look in her debut. (7) Thataint Tooshabby could perk up on turf. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-7-8.

6th race – (5) Meetmeinkingston was second in both career starts and appears ready to graduate. (2) Unexpected put in a fast gate work for this one and should not be ignored. (3) Vindaloo is another first-time starter who could have a bright future. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5.

8th race – (7) Group Hug (B) was bothered last time out against better company and merits a second chance here while returning to turf. (3) Wing Commander will appreciate racing on turf once again. (5) Lightning Rod was second last time and can make his presence felt in a claimer. (4) Toretto was overmatched in a claimer. Fits better here. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-7. Exactas: 3-7 over 4-5 and 4-5 over 3-7.