Nice to see Flat Out is back on the BC Classic trail. This 7-year-old has amassed $2.5M in earnings, and he's not a gelding. Despite the fact that he could stand at stud, it seems the owners are looking for a bigger prize. They relieved Scooter Dickey of the trainer duties, and had turned over the task to William Mott, who has raced him the last four times. 4-1-1-2 for three Grade 1's and one Grade 2. Not bad. Today, he's coming in to this race off a 14 week layoff. I figure they're looking at this race as a reacclimation to the races. Call it a workout.
(#9) Pool Play. Stunned everyone in the Stephen Foster back in 6/2011 @ 36-1. Came from way back, and won impressively(including Flat Out). He went on the shelf for an entire year after that. He showed up at last year's BC Classic, but only as an also-ran. His last race was at this track, coming from 15 lengths back, to barely miss by a neck in a one-turn one mile race. Let's play the angle that he has finally regained his old form.
(#1) Bourbon Courage. Nice looking colt makes his debut at Gulfstream. Never one to be too far from getting his picture taken.
(#7) Csaba. Comes into this race off a four race win streak, which accounts for half of his lifetime total. Florida-based colt should feel right at home.
(#2) Flat Out. His 2013 debut is in preparation for a big year.
(#8) Take Charge Indy. Has not won since Florida Derby in March of last year. Though that race was at Gulfstream, I don't think he's going to duplicate that effort, getting out on the front end, and winging it all the way home. Let's go against him.
The play is #9 - 5-10-20 across the board; $2 Trifecta part-wheel: 1/9 - 1/2/7/9 - 1/2/4/5/7/9. Total Bet - $83