Gulfstream Horse Racing Picks for Sunday 2/26/23

The Gulfstream Championship Meet continues on Sunday with 10 races. Post time to start the day is 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. Megacity and Lucky Curlin, Race 5

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2 and 5/1
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Race 5 is a Claiming race for older horses at 1 mile on the turf. The numberFire algorithm picks Max K.O. (3/1) to win on top of Lucky Curlin (5/1) and the favorite Megacity (5/2).

EPO leading trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. saddles Max K.O., who has won 10-of-40 starts but moves to the claiming ranks for the first time in nearly 2 years. Megacity can make it happen again off his wire-to-wire win here last month and stronger triple-digit speed figures in stakes races last year.

2. Affirmative Lady and Ocean Club, Race 6

FanDuel Racing Odds: 9/5 and 9/2
Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 6 is a Maiden Special Weight for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles. The favorite Affirmative Lady (9/5) is the projected winner by numberFire's data. Ocean Club (9/2) and Biloxi Blues (6/1) can hit the board.

Affirmative Lady gets first time Lasix breaking from the rail. She had a so-so effort and third place finish last month and returned with a strong morning work. A very close second place finish in a stakes race in Dec. going much longer is more indicative of her ability.

3. Diamond Hands and Mona Stella, Race 9

FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2 and 6/1
Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 9 is an Allowance race for older fillies and mares at 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf. Diamond Hands (7/2) is the numberFire pick to win the featured race for the top jockey and trainer combo of Irad Ortiz, Jr. and Todd Pletcher. Off since Sept., Diamond Hands has trained sharply this month for her return to the track and she's finished in-the-money in 6-of-7 starts.

Classic Lady (20/1) is a big longshot to consider for a big exacta and trifecta payoff with numberFire adding Mona Stella (6/1) and jockey Jose Ortiz as a projected board hitter and win challenger off her runner-up finish here last month as the favorite.