US racing tips: Tom Collins believes recent winners can score at Gulfstream Park

Karen's Cove
8.16 Gulfstream Park
2pts win

Sky Chaser
9.21 Gulfstream Park
1pt win

There is no better indication that the form of a certain race is strong than watching a number of the beaten horses win on their next start in the same grade.

That is the case for what looked an average 6f claimer at Gulfstream Park on April 12 in which four runners who finished behind winner Karen's Cove have since scored, including runner-up Ray'swarrior, who never came off the bridle in an emphatic display next time up.

He found Karen's Cove too strong in the closing stages that day despite the winner enduring a wide trip throughout and although he has been allocated gate nine of nine this time around, Karen's Cove is expected to follow up in the $18,000 claimer (8.16).

Peter Walden's five-year-old has been off the track for a month and a half but has put in a couple of exciting fast breezes over four furlongs in the last two weeks and looks ready to follow up.

Tyler Gaffalione, who partnered him last time, is riding at Churchill Downs at the moment so he has been replaced by 5lb claimer Cristian Torres, who should have no trouble getting his mount into a prominent early position with a couple of closers immediately inside of him.

From then on it should be a case of pushing the button at the right time on Karen's Cove, who was twice placed at a higher level before his victory last month and appears ready to step back up to that grade.

His morning line price of 2-1 is more than fair, but for those looking for more value the forecast play could be Karen's Cove to beat the strong-staying Joe Di Baggio.

The other bet on the card is the hat-trick-seeking Sky Chaser, who can clearly perform on a variety of different conditions and goes for trainer Ronald Spatz in the $46,000 allowance optional claimer (9.21).

This filly seems to be in the form of her life with back-to-back victories at this venue, the first over six furlongs before a gutsy display over a mile last time out on a sloppy main track.

That victory means that she has to give all of her rivals at least 2lb in this field, but she is on a sharp upward curve and that shouldn't be a problem, especially as there is plenty of pace for her to chase as she drops down in distance.

A sharp breaker but normally unhurried early, Sky Chaser will be allowed to stalk the likely pacemakers Hy Dollface, Archumybaby and morning line favourite Midtown Rose before striking in the stretch.

Rider Miguel Vasquez gets on well with her and she has had two relatively easy breezes since her last start a month ago.

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