Eight will go to the post in the $75,000 Janus at Gulfstream Park on Monday. (Photo credit: © Richardpross | Dreamstime.com)
Trainer Jason Servis sends out Vision Perfect in Monday’s feature at Gulfstream Park, the $75,000 Janus which drew a field of eight along with one main track only entrant in the five-furlong dash on turf.
Vision Perfect was last seen at a mile on turf at Belmont Park running a close up third against $100,000 optional claimers. Nik Juarez takes the mount for Servis, who has picked up three winners from his first 12 starters at the meet.
Standing in his way is the 8-5 morning line favorite Hogy, who makes his first start since an 11th place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) at Del Mar.
Trainer Michael Maker claimed the gelding for $80,000 and picked up a win in the Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint (G3) in his first start for the barn.
The 11-race New Year’s Day card kicks off at 12:00 ET.
With frigid temperatures in the forecast for Aqueduct on Sunday and Monday, I will look for warmer weather and we will look at both Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita.
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My Best Plays Report includes my eight strongest plays from Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita.
Let’s head out to Gulfstream Park for Monday’s featured race of the day:
Gulfstream Park Race 9 The Janus (Post time 4:06 ET)
#3 Vision Perfect 4-1
#5 Hogy 8-5
#2 Sandy’z Slew 5-1
#1 Extravagant Kid 8-1
Analysis: Vision Perfect cuts back form a mile where last out at Belmont Park the six-year-old was a game third against $100,000 optional claimers. The runner up Fire Away came back to win the Artie Schiller in his next outing on Nov. 18 at the Big A. Servis claimed this guy out of a third-place finish against Alw-3 optional claimers going seven furlongs. He has enough tactical speed to handle the cut back. The barn is 32% winners (with a +ROI) overall in turf sprints and 25% winners moving runners from route to sprint.
Hogy makes his first start since an 11th place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) although he was only beaten 3 1/2 lengths. He won the Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint (G3) three back in his first go off the claim by the Maker barn. He then ran a good second in the Woodford (G2) at Keeneland. He has landed in the exacta in 13 of 19 starts at the distance. He figures to bounce back with a better effort racing a softer group here, but his price is going to be on the light side.
Sandy’z Slew ran huge beating New York bred Alw-2 optional claimers last out, drawing off to win by 6 1/4 lengths over good ground at six furlongs. The runner up The Crocheron Kid came back to beat state bred Alw-2 foes in his next start on Dec. 8 at the Big A. He steps into a tougher spot here but Englehart appears to have him at the top of his game after three starts for the barn.
Wagering
WIN: #3 to win at 3-1 or better.
EX: 3,5 / 1,2,3,5
TRI: 3,5 / 1,2,3,5 / 1,2,3,5,7
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