Tom Collins analyses the credentials of four favourites at Gulfstream Park

Cactus Kitten
5.45 Gulfstream Park
SP forecast 9-5

First-time starter from the powerful Michael Maker barn. A daughter of Kitten's Joy out of a rather temperamental Hard Spun mare, Cactus Kitten is expected to stay every yard of this 1m1f trip on her debut and connections will be hopeful that her dam's trait (refused final two outings) haven't rubbed off. Irad Ortiz booked and Lasix applied.

Conclusion Rivals have shown little but wouldn't want to be taking a short price given her dam's attitude.

Say Cheese
6.15 Gulfstream Park
SP forecast 8-5

Speedily bred filly but hasn't got a particularly precocious pedigree that suggests she will be an early-season juvenile. Only had three works, all of which were over three furlongs at Palm Meadows Training Centre, and she has shown some speed. Booking of Irad Ortiz is why she is short in the market.

Conclusion Will have to be good to beat Special Inclusion and Darla, but trainer Larry Rivelli is 22-55 with first-time starters on dirt since 2018 so she must be feared.

Deemed Essential
7.46 Gulfstream Park
SP forecast 2-1

A $125,000 yearling purchase, Deemed Essential is the most expensive runner in this field. She will take money as she is trained by Todd Pletcher, but rarely does the master trainer have them spot on straight away. Her works have been average and gate one is more often than not a hindrance for first-time starters.

Conclusion Speed outside and I will be taking her on.

Superhighway
10.24 Gulfstream Park
SP forecast 7-5

Two-race maiden from the Chad Brown barn and owned by Klaravich Stables, whose white and red silks have been carried by numerous talented horses. This four-year-old gelding showed signs of ability on his two starts last year but never got close to the lead and improvement is needed for him to strike here.

Conclusion Wouldn't still be with Brown unless he had ability. Winner.

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