Gulfstream Horse Racing Picks for Thursday 3/2/23

The Gulfstream Championship Meet continues ahead of Saturday's Fountain of Youth Stakes. Thursday's March 2 card has nine races with post time at 12:10 p.m. ET.

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

(I will 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 Betting Picks

According to numberFire horse racing projections, these are the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing today.

1. Solomons Gold and Surprise Payoff, Race 3

FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2 and 4/1
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Race 3 is a Maiden Claiming race for 3-year-olds sprinting 6 furlongs. The numberFire data projects Solomons Gold (7/2) to win just ahead of the favorite Catchhimandfreehim (5/2) and Glenholme (4/1).

Catchhimandfreehim is ridden by the meet's winningest jockey, Irad Ortiz Jr. He's 0-for-2 with slower speed figures. Solomons Gold tries to break his maiden in his eighth start after finishing second twice here in January. Surprise Payoff (3/1) did not finish his last race here in January but has a pair of solid morning works in place and can steal this in a weaker group of runners with jockey Tyler Gaffalione riding.

2. Love and Money, Lionessofbrittany, Race 7

FanDuel Racing Odds: 2/1 and 10/1
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Race 7 is an Allowance race for older fillies and mares sprinting 5 furlongs on the turf. Love and Money (2/1) is the top pick by numberFire's data and she was beaten by a nose for this same condition on Jan. 18. Irish-bred Minaun (5/2) with top jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. is a main challenger with Lionessofbrittany (10/1) a viable longshot from the outside No. 9 post.

3. Mr. Ripple and Classic Catch, Race 8

FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2 and 2/1
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Race 8 is an Allowance race for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles. The numberFire algorithm picks Mr. Ripple (7/2) to win with Classic Catch (2/1) and Devil's Cay (10/1) finishing in the money.

Mr. Ripple had a smashing debut win here in October, then finished third by a nose in a speed duel in his first race against winners in January.

Game and race odds refresh periodically and are subject to change