Handicapper's Corner: 2023 Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (G2)

 Ending 2023 with Fireworks in Ft. Lauderdale Stakes

By: John Caro, ThoroFan Handicapper

Welcome to Gulfstream as we close out 2023. Hopefully, the turf will be good for these ten runners going nine furlongs. Weather in South Florida has been iffy at best, with many rains in this early part of our post-hurricane pre-winter season.

The race features top trainers. Two from Chad Brown, two from Todd Pletcher, and two from Mike Maker, with McGaughey, Delgado, Weaver and Moubarak all hosting one each. 

Two speedballs may define the pace, but some good trackers can close with authority. Should be a good contest.

Here are the bullets for each horse.

#1 – Marwad – three time winner of nine races. Was first going longer here in January and was second here in a Grade III going longer. Third start off a layoff. Midpack closer.

#2 – Grand Sonata  - He's two for two at Gulfstream and has good speed. Gaffalione gets the ride and won with him on their last outing at Saratoga going this distance.

#3 – Jerry The Nipper – Lots of non graded stakes experience in state bread company often going shorter. His regular rider, José Ortiz, gets the mount. Often in the money but is not on top recently.

#4 – Main Event – Has won four of twelve on the front. Speedball!!! He has also run here three times with two firsts and a second. Might be very dangerous at a price.

#5 – Kingmax – Euro convert who had a year off from July 22 through June this year to win two races going shorter at Monmouth on the grass and then went to Woodbine for a Grade II on the synthetic with poor results in July. He's had a steady work tab since July, and Delgado is a master with turf quality horses. Great longshot pick.

#6 – Fort Washington – Seen last out fighting to the wire to win, and his form is steadily improving since August. He appears to like shorter, but he gets Luis Saez up, and he's a War Front colt, so I'm hoping he can stick around for a piece.

#7 – Stone Age  - Classy horse with $1.2 million to his name but hasn't seen the winner's circle for at least 10 races, admittedly against stiffer competition. He's one of two Brown entries, and Johnny V gets the call.

#8 – Red Run – Had a good win at Churchill three back at this distance but seems to have declining form. He likes to close, but it doesn't seem that he has the speed to do that against the others.

#9 – Running Bee – There is little doubt why he is the favorite. Six races with three wins and two seconds. His last two wins were by large margins, and he is the other Speedball in the race. He wins on the front end, and I don't think the wide post is going to hurt him very much if he gets to the front.

#10 – Henley's Joy - Hasn't won in a while, but he keeps plugging away as he tops $1.1 million. He's ITM three for five at Gulfstream.

Handigambling  - I'm going to go light on the betting for this race and enjoy the jockeys looking for a tactical advantage. Speed will no doubt be a pace factor. Hoping to find some value in those that can close to the speed and possibly win.

$.50 Trifecta – 9 with 4,5,6 with All

$1 Exacta – 1,4,5,6 with 1,4,5,6

Bonus Bets

Daily Double race #10 and this race

2,5,7 with 4,5,6,9

$.50 Pick 4 starting in race #8

6, 9 with 1,3 with 2,5,7 with 4,5,6,9

Good Luck and Happy New Year