Man On The Spot: Gulfstream Park Saturday April 18

Race 1 - 1745 (All times BST): Noble Maria has bits of form but has been off the track since last summer while Matcha has a wide draw to contend with having disappointed in this grade last time. Raspberry Ballet has a shout back in claiming company judged on an earlier second over track and trip but TRULY has the stronger form at this level. She struggled when the race was switched to an off track last time but has leading claims back on the Turf and gets the vote to open her account.

Race 2 - 1815: Markistan was drawn out wide when runner-up over track and trip last time and has had no luck with draw once again. She still got the better of Mystic Comin Home on her latest start though there is little between that pair. Dat Hot Match showed some improvement on the Turf track here last month and may figure but CRYSTALINA also posted a much better effort when runner-up over a longer trip recently having attempted to make all and she may prove the one to side with sprinting for the first time.

Race 3 - 1845: Shanghai Mistress has the form to figure if the race switches to the main track while Cat's Astray also has leading claims. The latter has found only one too good in five of her last six starts now but still has the measure of previous winner Stated, Ballie's Dream and Play That Tone. None of the latter look like reversing running but PALACE TWO STEP may prove good enough as she was beaten only a neck in a tougher claiming race over track and trip last time having had to switch lanes for a run in the homestretch. Joe Orseno’s filly can open her account with normal luck in-running.

Race 4 - 1915: Unbridled Holiday won a tougher claimer than this on an off track here last summer but was well beaten in an allowance race on his return and has something to prove despite today’s drop in class. KRACHENWAGEN looks a safer proposition bidding for a hat-trick having beaten Chase Runner over track and trip last time with Discreet Heat further behind. He gets the nod though Cool Gizmo has bits of form at a similar level and can also figure.

Race 5 - 1946: Holy Meister, Coastal Defense and Palace Kitten have the form to figure but have all drawn wide making their respective tasks that much harder. Smirk is a likely improver for Bill Mott’s yard though Gray's Fable has the stronger form and has leading claims back on Turf today judged on earlier efforts. Triple Crown nominee RAG TAG doesn’t look up to that level on this year’s form so far but Todd Pletcher switches him to the Turf for this and he gets a speculative vote on the strength of last year’s debut effort at Keeneland.

Race 6 - 2017: Poppy's Destiny showed ability as a two-year-old back in 2018 but hasn’t raced since and is partnered by an apprentice on her return. Not Now Rand, War Act and Poseiden are all recent maiden winners with the latter the least exposed having won the more valuable race but FLAWLESS MOON gets another chance. The latter found one too good over track and trip last time but the winner has subsequently gone in again so the form looks solid enough and Sandra Matier’s charge is taken to go one better.

Race 7 - 2048: Freedom's Flight has placed form in more valuable maiden races and will be sharper for a recent comeback run here. But SEIZE THE HAY (NAP) is less exposed and looked every bit a future winner when finishing second here on last month’s debut. He finished in front of both Holy Emperor and Mecha Corta on that occasion and Todd Pletcher’s colt is taken to go one better in this with normal progress. Opus North disappointed at Tampa on his reappearance but had some decent form at Woodbine last year.

Race 8 - 2121: Brass Compass takes a big drop in class having folded tamely in allowance company when last in action and Where Paradise Lay is another on the drop with the past form to get involved. But SOUTH SEA finished runner-up when sent off favourite at Parx in February and David Fawkes’ charge gets the vote to go one better in this company having won four times last year. Front Loaded went close in a tougher claimer here last time and is preferred to Vincero and Hard Belle on that form.

Race 9 - 2153: This looks wide-open with several having the form to figure at this level on their first start of the year. Art Of Almost was placed in Grade 2 company at Woodbine in 2019 but ALWAYS SHOPPING won the Grade 2 Gazelle Stakes at Aqueduct last April and Todd Pletcher’s filly also made a winning reappearance last term. Dark Artist had form in stakes races last year while Zarina, Mintd and Rideforthecause have the advantage of a recent run under their belts and are others with a shout.

Race 10 - 2225: None of these can be dismissed out of hand with a speculative vote going to DYNADRIVE. He found one too good on his Dirt debut last time and had finished ahead of Gemo before that. The latter has since scored over 6f here while Like You won a less valuable contest over track and trip last month though scored easily. Blood Moon has a shout dropped in class while Plato beat Causalistic in a claimer here recently and is preferred to Perfect Revenge and the maiden winner Leo's Diamond.

Race 11 - 2257: A couple of these bid for hat-tricks including Lady Grace, who beat MISS AURAMET here back in January. But the latter has improved since winning both subsequent outings with plenty to spare and Ed Plesa’s filly is taken to continue her good progress and go in again. Originator is not out of this though hasn’t race since November while Charmaine's Mia beat Hidden Facts and Kitten's Covergirl when scoring over track and trip at the start of the year. Day By Day has the form to figure but is a reserve and will only race if this contest switches to the Dirt track.

Race 12 - 2329: Honest Gal has every chance on past form but is drawn out wide and Party Dress has no easy task from her draw either having her first start since August. Mohanna Queen also returns from a lay-off but drops in class along with Rack Daddy and Rye Street but a speculative vote goes to KATNISS KAN. She’s not the most consistent but a wide draw was a decent excuse for a poor effort last time and she should go close with a repeat of an earlier fourth in a tougher contest here before that.