Ft. Lauderdale Stakes on Jan. 9th a Big Horse Racing Betting Challenge

The Grade III Ft. Lauderdale Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Sunday, January 9th, is definitely a horse betting challenge for gamblers.

Up to 12 equines could enter the starting gate for the race making it virtually impossible to not find an overlay or 2 on which to wager.  Battle of Hasting and Get Stormy will garner most of the betting attention from horseplayers, but I prefer to back an equine going off at likely terrific odds to win the Ft. Lauderdale on Sunday.

Gulfstream Park – Race 8

Where:  Hallandale Beach, Florida

When:  Jan. 9th 2010 at 4:23 pm EST

TV:  HRTV

Grade III Ft. Lauderdale Stakes

Purse $100,000. For Four-Year-Olds And Upward

1 1/16th miles over turf

5 – Blues Street - - 8/1 morning line odds

Blues Street hasn’t run since last June but that’s a good thing for this likely overlaid horse racing odds pick on Sunday.  Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Kent Desormeaux, one of the best grass riders in the world, Blue Street runs well fresh and has an excellent 2 wins, 1 second and 1 third place finish out of 5 lifetime races over the Gulfstream Park turf.  Blues Street has to be the pick even though I have no doubt that he goes off closer to probably 4/1 to win this than the 8/1 listed morning line.  I’ll back him at 4/1 and then consider anything above that gravy.  The Pletcher trainee should be ready to show his class on January 9th.

9 – Baletti - - 6/1 morning line odds

The Gulstream Park turf course has been very fast lately, but that doesn’t mean that, given the right pace set up, the closers won’t do well.  Baletti might go off at higher odds than the 6/1 horse racing morning line.  If he does, then he could challenge Blues Street as the equine to back to win the Grade III Ft. Lauderdale Stakes on Sunday.  Baletti was last seen finishing 3rd behind Rahy’s Attorney and Twilight Meteor at Calder in the Tropical Park Turf Handicap in his last.  There’s plenty of speed in this to flatter his late kick and jockey M R Cruz should have gotten to know him in that race at Calder.  The seven-year-old gelding has a victory, 1 second and 1 third place finish out of 4 races over the Gulfstream Park turf.

1 – Battle Of Hastings - - 4/1 morning line odds

I hate to say it, but gamblers must be in the midst of a horse betting dream if they really believe they’ll get 4/1 on Battle Of Hastings on Sunday.  Hastings may have finally found the trainer that fits him like a glove.  After running for both Ral Ayers and Jeff Mullins, Battle Of Hastings was transferred to trainer Gregory Fox and immediately paid dividends with a victory in the Grade III River City Handicap at odds of $1.90 to a buck.  Fox won with 7 out of 20 runners in 2010.  That’s remarkable.  It’s also a sign that Gregory is a hands on guy.  Battle Of Hastings is definitely the pick if he offers 4/1 or higher, but I doubt he will on Sunday.

Horse Wagering Strategy

Blues Street, Baletti and Battle Of Hastings all deserve consideration to win the Ft. Lauderdale Stakes on January 9th.  I’ll back either Blues Street or Battle Of Hastings with a win bet if one of them is going off at 4/1 or higher.