Gulfstream Park Hotlist - January 8

Today’s Gulfstream Park Hot List races to watch
Friday, Jan. 8, 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.

1st race – (4) Speight drops a notch after showing speed and finishing third. Gets the nod against this group. (2) Thorover is worth a look while making his first start for Zerpa. (3) Jr Speed has some speed and can make his presence felt. (6) Torque might be a factor in his career debut. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4-6.

4th race – (1) Descente (A) was an impressive winner of a Claiming Crown stakes and is well-spotted to chalk up a fourth-straight win. (5) Free to Fly disappointed last time but can wake up off the Sweezey claim.  (2) Etana won big last time and will be dangerous if she can duplicate that try. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5.

6th race – (2) Tio Wil won two straight claimers and will be hard to handle here in a starter race. (4) Reservenotattained romped against limited winners and will be a handful if he duplicates that try. (1) Apache has won three of his last four starts and cannot be overlooked. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-4. Doubles: 1-2-4 with 2-5-6-7.

7th race – (2) Nitro Time (C) dropped from 9-5 to 7-5 and won easily on the front end. Looks best here off the Joseph claim. (7) Alabama Slammer won his debut professionally and deserves some respect here. (6) Under the Couvers won on the front end Sunday and could be troublesome here. (5) Mr Tingles could benefit from a fast pace. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-7. Exactas: 2-7 over 5-6 and 5-6 over 2-7.

9th race – (4) Uncage the Cat returned from a layoff with a front-running maiden win. A similar effort should be enough to put him in the winner’s circle. (2) Surprise Factor would be anything but surprise winner here off a pair of thirds. (5) Our Destiny makes his first start for Sweezey and may perk up in a claimer. (1) Star Weaver has keen early speed and could be tough to reel in from the rail. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-4-5.