US racing tips: Tom Collins has two confident selections at Gulfstream Park

Mintz
8.41 Gulfstream Park
2pts win

Sugar Bolt
9.13 Gulfstream Park
2pts win

Robert Falcone jnr is an extremely shrewd trainer who has an outstanding record with horses who are making their debut for him first-up off the claim.

The 26-year-old, who worked at Dominick Schettino's barn during high school before becoming a trainer in his own right, has made a great start to his career and his runners are always worth keeping onside.

Saying that, his strike-rate this year is far below his average over the last four seasons – shutdown of racing and lack of fresh horses partly to blame – and he could do with adding a couple more victories to his name.

Hopefully one of those will come from the newly acquired Mintz, who will make his debut for Falcone in the $24,000 claimer (8.41) over 7f.

Set to be ridden by 5lb bug rider Joseph Trejos, Mintz is the most unexposed horse in the race after just six starts despite the fact he is the only five-year-old in the field. He clearly hasn't been the easiest to train but possesses a good level of ability and could shoot up the grades if he remains fit.

That angle is clearly shared by Falcone, who picked up this son of Candy Ride after he finished fourth on his return from a nine-month layoff at this track in February.

This former Aqueduct maiden special weight winner when with James Jerkens showed up well for a long way but endured a wide trip under Irad Ortiz and looked like he would improve plenty for the run.

He certainly wasn't disgraced and was well-found in the market beforehand, which suggests he still retains most if not all of his ability, and he has since worked the house down at Palm Meadows Training Centre.

If he translates his recent breezes to the track he will take a lot of stopping on his debut for the powerful barn against what appears to be a sub-standard field.

Rain was expected at Gulfstream on Tuesday evening but hopefully it doesn't get into the turf as I'm praying the 5f $47,000 allowance optional claimer (9.13) remains on the grass.

Everything looks set for a huge run from the well-drawn Sugar Bolt and I'd be pretty confident she will make every yard of the running under Emisael Jaramillo if the race isn't off the turf.

This sharp sprinter cost $60,000 in June 2018 and recorded some decent speed figures at this track last year, most notably when second at this level in May and August.

She wasn't up to the same level on her return from a five-month break in May this year but was far from disgraced in finishing second to a rival who was receiving 10lb and Sugar Bolt is expected to make amends this time around.

David Fawkes's runner clearly handles the tight turns on this turf track and will look to hold off her rivals against the rail. I wouldn't be surprised if she was claimed for $16,000 after the race, either.

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