Gulfstream Park Hotlist - January 7

Today’s Gulfstream Park Hot List races to watch
Friday, Jan. 7, 2022

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.

3rd race – (3) Partner’s Hope rallied for second last time and seems well-placed for a victory here. (8) Julius the Great should appreciate the distance and switch to Tapeta. (5) Stribling has speed and will be dangerous here. (7) Midnight Tequila should be more competitive in a claimer. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5-7-8. Doubles: 3-5-7-8 with 1-2-6-8.

4th race – (8) Batter Up Bud (B) rallied belatedly in his debut and now adds Lasix and blinkers. Should prove best here. (1) Hoorayhoorayhooray was third in his first three starts and can figure in the exacta again. (2) Klugman is working sharply for his debut and may emerge as the main threat. (6) Stone Age is another firster who could be a serious factor here. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-6-8

6th race – (2) Vocalize is a firster from Pletcher who should win at first asking. (4) Big Invasion can make his presence felt in his career debut. (3) American Starlet debuts for Ward and this filly cannot be ignored. (1) Comedic, another filly facing the boys, has enough speed to benefit from a rail trip. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3-4.

8th race – (2) Confident comes off a sharp win at Woodbine and should prove best in this spot. (9) Join the Dots was impressive in a October debut win at Belmont and figures to be the main rival. (8) Midnight Ballerina returned from a layoff of more than a year in the slop. Should take a step forward here on a dry track. (4) Met in Miami may revert to winning form on dirt. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-8-9. Doubles: 2-4-8-9 with 1-5-6-8.

9th race – (6) Mutasaabeq has not raced in a little more than a year but is working sharply and should be another comeback winner for Pletcher. (5) Collaborate has also been absent for a while since a stakes race and should be a force if there’s no rust from the layoff. (8) Bank On Shea returns for new connections and is worth a look. (1) Chocolate Bar may appreciate the switch to the main track. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-6-8.