Interesting Saturday feature at Gulfstream, the Azalea Stakes, a sprint stakes for three year old fillies at 7 furlongs, the trip often producing a competitive event.
Today’s lineup looks like a good spot to try to defeat the two early favorites. Second choice Poiema (5-2) is clearly fastest and was visually impressive winning her last, Gulfstream Park, JUN 17, Race 9.
For us the forward move was so startling and so fast, she needs to be laid, not played. But that’s your call. I have issues betting horses that improvement 10 Thoro Graph points next out; only defensively.
Same story with the favorite, Last Leaf (2-1), who also improved dramatically from her prior start and again shoulders a formidable 123 pounds.
Instead, we’ll look toward Saffie Joseph’s Stellar Ride (5-1) who has the right spacing coming into this, fits the dynamics well, and comes off the best work of the week among 42 peers.
Taking Stellar Ride to win at 4-1 on greater and quinellas with the two favorites above.
