Gulfstream and NHC Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, 3/11/23

Day 2 of the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) in Las Vegas is Saturday, March 11. 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 mandatory races from the Gulfstream Championship Meet along with Santa Anita.

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 Santa Anita Betting Picks

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

1. Last Leaf and Train to Artemus, Race 11

FanDuel Racing Odds: 8/1 and 3/1
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Race 11 at Gulfstream is the $100,000 Captiva Island Stakes for older fillies and mares sprinting 5 furlongs on the turf. The numberFire data picks Last Leaf (8/1) to edge Train to Artemus (3/1) and Charlie T (4/1).

Last Leaf won three minor stakes at Gulfstream last year and finished fifth in a graded stakes late Jan. in his 2023 debut.

2. Joe Phillips and Pride and Passion, Race 12

FanDuel Racing Odds: 8/1 and 5/1
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Race 12 at Gulfstream is a Claiming race for older horses sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs on the All Weather Track. The numberFire algorithm picks added price horses with Joe Phillips (8/1) to win followed by Pride and Passion (5/1) and Commanding General (8/1).

Joe Phillips was more competitive last year with three wins. He posted his fasted speed figure (92) in 21 starts last month but missed the board.

3. Shadow Creek and Russells Hustle, Race 7

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/1 and 4/1
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Race 7 at Santa Anita is a Maiden Claimer for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on the turf. The numberFire data picks Shadow Creek (5/1) to win with Russells Hustle (4/1) and Glendale (10/1) in-the-money finishers. Leading jockeys Frankie Dettori and Flavien Prat ride the top-2 picks while top turf rider Umberto Rispoli is on Glendale.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.