Horse Racing Picks Today: Hutcheson Stakes, Whitmore Stakes & Virginia Derby Selections

Gulfstream Park Race 9 Hutcheson Stakes

7 Diciassette gets some much needed class relief after taking on some very tough 3 year old’s in his last two starts. Love this ones 1/22 gate drill on March 1st. Colt should handle this group. Top Pick

1 Arbiter has shown versatility in 2 career starts with a win on the turf on debut at Churchill and a gate to wire score on the All-Weather surface at Turfway Park when facings winners for the first time. Win Contender 

6 Fulmine ships in via Tampa after a victory versus Allowance/Optional 75k 1x foes. Colt should benefit from a likely hot pace upfront. Major Threat

Selections 7-1-6-3

Oaklawn Park Race 10 Whitmore Stakes Grade 3

4 Tejano Twist is a wily 7 year old Gelding who rarely runs a bad race. He was last seen dominating a small field of Allowance/Optional 80k N2 types over this dirt track here. This Chris Hartman trainee comes back on just 2 weeks which does concern me a bit. Win Contender 

3 Tough Catch was an impressive winner last here in the mud. Colt took a group of high end Allowance types gate-to-wire. He set some very quick fractions early and still had plenty left in the tank for the stretch run. I believe Jockey Ramon Vazquez sends this Dallas Stewart trainee to the front and tries to wire this field. Colt appears to be the controlling speed and should be tough to run down, second off the layoff. Win Contender 

1 Wendelssohn got caught up in a speed duel in the King Cotton Stakes but still fought gamely, finally succumbing in the final strides to finish third beaten by just 2-lengths. A change in tactics might be in store for this son of Mendelssohn. Don’t Ignore

Selections 4-3-1-2

Gulfstream Park Race 12 Captiva Island Stakes

2 Sunna is an intriguing Longshot in here. Filly steps way up the class ladder after a stellar near 7- length victory over this Gulfstream green when making her turf debut 4 weeks ago. Yes, she was facing inferior horses but you can’t deny the effort and the high turf speed figure. I’m willing to take a stab with this 20-1 shot. Live Longshot 

11 Pandora’s Gift has a significant class edge in here but hasn’t raced for more than 5-months. If Miguel Clement has this Mare anywhere near a 100%, she’s your likely winner. Win Contender 

1 Moon Spun is a perfect 3-3 over the blades here at Gulfstream and is riding a 4 race win streak. She’s the deserving morning line favorite and I’ll try to beat her today. Win Contender 

Selections 2-11-1-4

Colonial Downs Race 9 Virginia Derby

7 Incredibolt run a complete dude last out in the Grade 3 Holy Bull at Gulfstream. Colt seemed to never get a hold of the surface down in South Forida and I’m going to forgive that poor performance. His two races prior were sharp victories, a maiden score then a Grade 3 victory in the Street Sense where this Colt came home with a 99 late pace number. Win Contender

6 Lockstocknpharoah has impressed in his first two career starts. Gelding faced winners recently and dominated a field of 9 by over 8-lengths. Both his starts have been on the Synthetics and he’s trying the dirt for the first time today. If he takes to the surface switch, he’ll tough to beat. Win Contender 

1 Buetane has been facing much tougher and ships in for trainer Bob Baffert. Colt pressed the pace in the G3 Southwest Stakes and faltered late in the stretch drive. Look for Jockey Flavien Prat to be settle just off the pace today and get first run at the pace setters. Major Player

Selections 7-6-1-5

STOGIE PLAYS FOR TODAY 

Gulfstream Park Race 9

$40 Win #7 Diciassette 

Gulfstream Park Race 12

$10WPS #2 Sunna

$1 Exacta Box 1,2,11=36

Colonial Downs Race 9

$10 WPS #7 Incredibolt(10-1)

$.50 cent Trifecta Box 1,5,6,7

$1 Exacta Box 1,5,6= $48

TODAY’S BANKROLL = $124