BetPTC.com / Weekend Stakes Preview / Ed Meyer

Gulfstream Park

Race #4 – The $75,000 Smooth Air – 1 mile – 1:16 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections / #5 – Garter and Tie /#2 – Maddy’s Last Dance / #7 – Souper Jackpot

#5 Garter and Tie was a beaten chalk last out and turns back in distance for Ralph Nicks and Tyler Gaffalione. He is a solid closer and looks in top order with some sharp morning works. Look for Gaffalione to come rolling late in the lane. #2 Maddy’s Last Dance is 2 for 2 at GP ITM and has the services of high percentage rider Luis Saez. He’s on the stretch out in distance and should be a factor in the early fractions. #7 Souper Jackpot is a speedy son of Ghostzapper with Irad Ortiz in the irons. He’s coming in off a fresh maiden break at CD and will be a speed player in this one turn mile. That was a very game effort last out and fought every step of the way. Very nice morning works show promise.

Race#5 – The $75,000 Pulpit – 1 mile on the turf – 1:46 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections / #2 – Henley’s Joy / #1 – Life Mission / #9 – Louder Than Bombs

#2 Henley’s Joy is a son of Kitten’s Joy from the Mike Maker barn. Tyler Gaffalione in the irons and they exit the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf finishing a dismal 13th. It could have been the track condition or just a cut above his reach for now. He has looked very sharp on the turf and finished a brilliant 2nd in the G3 Bourbon at Keeneland. He takes a huge drop in class and this may be his coming out party for big things in 2019. #1 Life Mission is son of Noble Mission for trainer Ben Colebrook. He is 4 for 5 ITM on the green and yet to find the winner’s circle. He’s been on some soft courses and might relish a tighter turf. Luis Saez in the saddle and he scores 15% riding on the turf. Ever since shipping in from Ireland he’s looked better with each start. #9 Louder Than Bombs returns to the turf and is 2 for 3 with wins on the greensward. Javier Castellano has the call for David Fawkes and they have been working a regular clip in the morning with a sharp work to prepare. Castellano wins 20% with turf runners and he will come running down the pace in mid stretch.

Race #6 – The $75,000 Wait a While – 1 mile on the turf – 2:16 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections / #1 – Queen Medb / #4 – A Bit Special / #9 – Red Hot Dame

#1 Queen Medb is a daughter of Kodiac shipping over from Ireland for the Chad Brown barn. He wins 23% getting first Lasix and 30% on the stretch out in distance. Javier Castellano aboard and they win 35% as team. She draws the rail and has the typical look of a Brown runner who could score at first asking in the states. #4 A Bit Special looks to relish the turf going 3 for 3 ITM. Patrick Biancone is the conditioner and is always dangerous with his turf runners. She’s been off for two months and Romero Maragh has been aboard all three times. I like her chances to come calling late to storm past in the stretch. #9 Red Hot Dame is a daughter of Violence who has sprinted her last two efforts. Todd Pletcher and John Velasquez team up and the added distance may fit her well. Pletcher wins 27% going a route for the first time and she can easily upset the apple cart.