Gulfstream Horse Racing Picks for Thursday 3/23/23

The Gulfstream Championship Meet continues Thursday with 9 races and post time at 12:40 p.m. ET.

As always, check the program 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 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. Kikilove and Forces Sweetheart, Race 7

FanDuel Racing Odds: 3/1 and 6/1
Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 7 is a Optional Claimer for 3-year-old fillies at 7 furlongs. The numberFire data projects Kikilove (3/1) to outduel the favorite, Atthecrossroads (9/5), who gets first time Lasix. Kikilove finished fifth last month, but won at this level over the track in January. Atthecrossroads won back-to-back races here late last year and has the best speed figures in the field.

Kikilove is ridden by the meets top jockey, Irad Ortiz, Jr. The meet's leading trainer, Saffie Joseph, Jr. enters Forces Sweetheart (6/1) and Looking for Hope (6/1), who both get Lasix for the first time. Forces Sweetheart broke her maiden here in Nov., and then missed in a stakes race. She's a pace presser who could hold up facing lesser in her 2023 debut.

2. Jazzy T and Lay the Groundwork, Race 8

FanDuel Racing Odds: 2/1 and 3/1
Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 8 is the Allowance feature on the All Weather Track. Seven older fillies and mares go to post racing 1 1/16 miles. The numberFire algorithm projects the favorite Jazzy T (2/1) to win ahead of Lucky Peridot (8/1) and Lay the Groundwork (3/1), ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr.

Jazzy T. has won four of her last seven starts with three additional runner-up finishes. She breaks from the outside No. 7 post and can settle into a rhythm before making her late run at the leaders. She lost to the favorite last month, but won over this track and distance two races back flying past the favorite and reaching 90's speed figures. The one to beat.

3. Imposter Syndrome and Given to Fly, Race 9

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/1 and 6/1
Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 9 is a Maiden Claimer for 3-year-olds at 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf. European runner Given to Fly (6/1) can make a run at this with first time Lasix, and the numberFire data has him winning over Imposter Syndrome (5/1) and Rule It (8/1).

Imposter Syndrome strings races together, is working well and finished a close second as the favorite here two weeks ago after leading by 3-lengths in the stretch. Leading trainer Mike Maker likes what he sees from her to bring her right back and makes a jockey change to Javier Castellano.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.