Let ‘em Run Review of 1/10/26 and Preview of 1/17/26
Last Saturday at Gulfstream Park tested both patience and discipline. Cold conditions, scratch after scratch, and shrinking fields made an already tricky card even more challenging. There are no excuses, but context matters. The late scratches forced us to pivot on the Saturday Podcast, and while adjustments were discussed, we ultimately stayed too close to our original structure. That lack of flexibility showed in the results.
Here is a full breakdown of how the Late P5 unfolded, followed by a look ahead to what’s coming next week.
Gulfstream Park Recap
Race 7
What began as a small field turned into a five-horse puzzle after the scratch of one of our key selections, #5 Catch a Tiger. With pace dynamics altered, the race lost much of its original appeal. Our top pick, #3 Moon Landing, ran well enough but could only manage a second-place finish. In these compact fields, trip and position matter more than ever, and there simply wasn’t enough chaos to set things up.
Race 8
This race was a complete miss and a humbling reminder that statistics need context. The lone first-time starter, #3 Thunderously, fired immediately and never looked back. Trained by Bill Mott, who entered the race 0 for 39 with first-time starters going over a mile, the data suggested caution. The reality reminded us why elite trainers and riders demand respect. Bill Mott and Junior Alvarado are never truly cold, and ignoring them entirely is a risk, regardless of the numbers.
Race 9
This race unraveled before it ever began. Our top pick, #8 Vindicate Cha Cha, never broke cleanly and was eliminated at the start. To make matters worse, our second choice, #4 Greenfield Cougar, was scratched. When pace horses fail to engage early, turf sprints quickly become unwinnable scenarios.
Race 10
This race marked the debut of our new angle, the BRISnet Play of the Day. Unfortunately, our top selection, #6 Neoquous, was scratched, forcing a complete reshuffle of tickets built around a dominant Brisnet Prime Power edge of +7 points, a figure that historically correlates with a win rate north of 46 percent. That left #5 Lightning Tones as our remaining option, and the runner delivered. The $7.80 payoff wasn’t flashy, but it salvaged the day and validated the underlying angle.
Race 11
Our top pick, #7 Ashima, ran her race but could only finish third. The difference came down to a key jockey change. #10 Souper Zonda picked up Tyler Gaffalione, one of the hottest riders on the grounds, and that subtle shift proved decisive. These “pick up” mounts are often overlooked, but they remain one of the most reliable indicators of intent.
Looking Ahead to 1/17/26
This Friday at 3pm on the Happy Hour Show, the focus shifts to the Lecomte Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds, a 20-point Kentucky Derby prep featuring a deep and competitive field of 11. These races only grow in importance as Derby season heats up, and this one offers both quality and opportunity.
On Saturday at 12:30pm, John Kostin and I will break down the Late P5 at Fair Grounds, once again featuring the BRISnet Play of the Day. Expect sharper tickets, clearer structure, and lessons applied from a tough Gulfstream card.
As always, tune in across multiple streaming platforms and social media channels. Bet smart, cheer hard, fast horses equal serious fun, and until next time… Let ‘em Run.
