Gulfstream and NHC Horse Racing Picks for Friday, 3/10/23

Day 1 of the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) in Las Vegas is Friday, March 10. There are seven Mandatory races for the contest and tournament as well as 10 optional races. Let's make some picks on three of the races from the Gulfstream Championship Meet along with Oaklawn Park.

As always, check the programs for scratches and changes, monitor the weather and keep an eye on the track conditions.

(I may reference Equibase's Speed Figure in selected races, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races after adjusting for track, distances, and conditions).

Gulfstream and Oaklawn Betting Picks

According to numberFire horse racing projections and Top Race Reports, these are some of the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing today.

1. Modazzle and Bahamian Captain, Race 5

FanDuel Racing Odds: 8/1 and 15/1
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Race 5 at Gulfstream is a Claiming race for 3-year-olds (and up) sprinting 5 furlongs on the All Weather Track. The numberFire data picks the favorite Lunar Rocket (7/5) to win with the meet's top jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. riding. He offers no value and is no good for the NHC tournament. Jose Ortiz rides a projected in-the-money finisher, Frosted Faith (7/2).

Top Race Reports (ECHR) notes that Modazzle (8/1) chased slow fractions when winning last month as the maiden favorite and should be able to move even better into a faster pace. This is a top pick with leading jockey Luis Saez riding.

Bahamian Captain (15/1) strings races together for the first time in a year, and he can move forward after finishing a close third last month with a nice price attached for risk/reward.

2. Slipstream and Hot Blooded, Race 8

FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2 and 15/1
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Race 8 at Gulfstream is an Allowance race for older horses at 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf. The numberFire data picks Slipstream (7/2) on top along with Safe Conduct (8/1) and Dr. Zempf (3/1) with Tyler Gaffalione riding for trainer Chad Brown and getting first-time Lasix.

Top Race Reports rates Slipstream the best coming off a layoff at a distance he loves and facing a weaker group than other races. Top jockey Joel Rosario knows the horse well, riding for trainer Christophe Clement and getting first-time Lasix. On longshot watch is Hot Blooded (15/1).

3. Pink Ace and I'm Beth Dutton, Race 9

FanDuel Racing Odds: 3/1 and 8/1
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Race 9 at Oaklawn is a Maiden Claimer for 3-year-old fillies sprinting 6 furlongs. The numberFire data projects Pink Ace (3/1) to win with first-time Lasix and some very strong morning work in place for her debut.

I'm Beth Dutton (8/1) and Her Name Was Lola (5/1) are projected in-the-money finishers. I'm Beth Dutton can do better in her second start here after leading through a half-mile in her last race a month ago.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.