February begins with some Kentucky Derby and Oaks prep race action, and we will look at the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes and the Grade 3 Forward Gal Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

The boys will go a mile and a sixteenth on the main track for today’s prep race, while the fillies will go seven furlongs. They are races 11 and 12 on a 12-race card in Hallandale Beach.
Gulfstream Race 11 – Holy Bull Stakes (Grade 3)
Favored in the Holy Bull is the 2 Ferocious (9/5 morning line). He comes in here after last racing in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in November at Gulfstream. He had to deal with traffic on both turns of the Juvenile. He will be close to the pace and the 2 post that he has today should help him with that short run into the first turn.
The 4 Guns Loaded (5/2 ML) looks to be the speed in this race. The distance should not be a concern, but he is going two turns for the first time today. He did appear to be tiring on the front end but did hold on to win. This colt also has a couple of works after that race so he should be ready for the next step here.

The 7 Burnham Square (5/1 ML) broke his maiden going today’s distance in December at Gulfstream. He faces winners and graded stakes company here for the first time. He drew off winning by nine lengths last time out and shouldn’t be effected by the post today.
The 3 Tappan Street (3/1 ML) may be the horse challenging Guns Loaded on the front end today. He also faces winners and graded stakes company for the first time. Look for him to be there near the end.
Joe’s Holy Bull Stakes Pick
Guns Loaded looks like if he can get the distance here today he should win. But I am concerned about Tappan Street going with him on the inside. This will set things up for Ferocious and Burnham Square. I think Ferocious and his back class will help him today despite the first race in three months.
Let’s call this 2-7-4-3 and my play is $20 to win on the 2.
Gulfstream Park Race 12 – Forward Gal Stakes (Grade 3)
Favored in the Forward Gal Stakes is the 9 Rojo Rita (2/1 ML). She comes into the race after destroying a maiden field in her debut in mid-November. She has trained well leading up to this race today and will look to gun to the lead and play catch me if you can again today. If she is loose on the lead, she might romp again today.

If these fillies can keep up with her early on, the 10 Frida (10/1 ML) and the 11 Stunner (4/1 ML) will be pressuring the favorite down the backstretch. Frida broke her maiden here last month while Stunner is coming back from a two-month break.
Stunner might have an excuse for the last race as she popped the gate open before the start then bobbled when the gates actually opened. A trouble free start will help her immensely.
The 7 Eclatant (9/2 ML) shortens up after fading going two turns in the Golden Rod at Churchill Downs. She will race at Gulfstream for the first time here today. Look for her to stalk behind the leaders early. If she is on the lead, which she was last time, she won’t hit the board.
The 3 Justinqueso (8/1 ML) stalked the pace and was “herded” in her debut. After watching the replay, you can see she was forced wider and wider as they came down the stretch that warranted a disqualification of the heavy favorite in that race.

Joe’s Forward Gal Pick
Justinqueso had trouble in her debut right but kept fighting to the finish which is something I want to see in young horses. She is the filly here that can catch the favorite Rojo Rita here, especially if the is challenged early on today.
I’m calling this race 3-9-7-11 and my play is $20 to win on the 3. Also, let’s play a double starting on race 11. Let’s put $20 on a Ferocious/Justinqueso double. Best of luck everyone and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!