Sunday’s feature is the kind of race that signifies what the championship meet is about: Stakes horses is allowances, making their season’s debut for notable outfit that are just getting their season started and run here at various levels of serious intent. Another way to say it is complete chaos with class!
We think we can answer in the affirmative with intent as Proven Strategies (4-1) comes in fresh off a series of bullet works at Mark Casse’s training center in Ocala and goes today as a first-time gelding. Further, 3 of his 4 lifetime wins have come at this trip and he’s a Horse for Course, boasting a (5) 2-1-1 slate.
And when teaming up, the Casse/Edwin Gonzalez hookup are a profitable 29% according to Thoro-Graph stats. Speed plays well on the Gulfstream turf and while there are some who can make pace pressure from the outside (Vow Me Now with Paco) the Casse runner has proven class.
Check out his allowance win here last spring and this is what we envision for today; Gulfstream APR 5, Race 9.
We require a minimum of 3-1 for straight wagering and will make an exacta box with price shot Hawkish (15-1), whose shippers are going well of late and has been working strongly at his Fair Hill base for this. Emisael Jaramillo, who has familiarity with this runner, picks up the mount.
