Photo:

Gonzalo Anteliz Jr. / Eclipse Sportswire

Rain is in the forecast at Gulfstream Park on Wednesday, but fortunately a bunch of races are scheduled for the all-weather track. Those events will play heavily into my best bets for the afternoon.

Best bet: Corona Princess, race 3

Best value bet: Talkin Tipsy, race 7

Race 1

No. 7 Bella Mendy (7-2, morning-line favorite) has been knocking at the door at this level, and Wednesday might be the day for her as she adds blinkers and gets John Velazquez in the irons. No. 4 Something Simple (15-1) is fleet of early foot, which is always valuable in all-weather sprints at Gulfstream. She tries a new low and may improve off her turf efforts. No. 3 My Sweet Adaline (12-1) showed late interest at first asking at this level and adds Lasix.

How I’d bet it, based on a $100 budget: $2 exacta box 3/4/7, $4 exacta 7/3,4

Race 3

No. 2 Corona Princess (9-5) should make an impact on the class drop, and the turn back in distance could flatter her closing kick. No. 1 Always to the End (4-1) has not raced since last April but is working well ahead of her return – could take them a long way. No. 6 Star Performance (8-5, morning-line favorite) is difficult to have faith in on the win end at 0-for-16 lifetime but is tough to leave off the ticket based on speed figures.

How I’d bet it: $10 exacta 2/1,6

Race 6

No. 6 Fattoush (7-2) lures Velazquez while trying a new low as a first-time gelding – the one you want if you’re trying to beat the favorite. No. 8 Acclaimed Victor (even, morning-line favorite) could be the shortest price of the day but it’s hard to trust the former $725,000 purchase dropping in for a $35,000 tag off a near-year layoff, even with an impressive last-out figure. No. 5 Mohawk River (6-1) has hit the board in two straight vs. similar.

How I’d bet it: $10 win 6, $10 exacta 8/6

Race 7

No. 2 Talkin Tipsy (7-2) had a highly-productive summer on the all-weather at Gulfstream with three wins and two runner-up results. This is not an ambitious spot for this runner, making the morning-line price appealing. No. 5 My Lady James (5-2) and No. 6 Miss Vyvyanne (2-1, morning-line favorite) make sense on back class but each of their last races left much to be desired.

How I’d bet it: $20 win 2

Race 8

No. 2 Shankar (5-2, morning-line favorite) gets a tepid nod over no. 4 Catch a Tiger (3-1) here. Shankar should stalk the pace set by Catch a Tiger, and he beat that foe when they last faced off, albeit on turf. The surface switch might only help my top pick, as he’s 12: 3-4-4 on the all-weather while my second choice is 4: 0-2-1. Catch a Tiger may get brave up front under Dylan Davis and is far from impossible. No. 1 Cashier Check (7-2) has hit the exacta in four straight starts, twice at this level.

How I’d bet it: $10 exacta 2/4, $5 exacta 2/1, $5 exacta 4/2

Robert Criscola is a free-lance handicapper based in New York.