Good Start for Gulfstream

If the rest of the meet is anything like opening day, Gulfstream Park is going to be a bettors’ delight this year.

The average field size for the 10 races today at the Florida track is more than 11 starters and the only contest with fewer than 10 entrants is the feature. Nine 3-year-olds entered the $100,000 Spectacular Bid at six furlongs. The Grade III is the first step on the road to the Florida Derby in March.

Silver Squire, owned by Martin Cherry and trained by John Kimmel, is the likely favorite in the Spectacular Bid. A gray son of Silver Ghost, he has won two of four and was disqualified from another victory at Saratoga.

Others in the field include recent winners Formal Charade, Coach Jimi Lee, Crafty Guy, Laughing Luke and Super Fuse.

Gulfstream Park will also continue its weekly $25,000 guaranteed pick six pool. It will be offered every Friday and covers the final six races on the card.

Race of the day: Comebacking California breds Above Perfection and Kitty On The Track will get together in the $100,000-added Survive Stakes at Santa Anita. Above Perfection, who has won seven of nine, will debut for trainer Mike Smith. Kitty On The Track, who is three for six, will make her first start for Cliff Sise Jr.

Who’s hot: Luis Olivares. The trainer goes into Gulfstream Park on a roll. He won at about a 24% clip during the just-concluded Calder meet.

Who’s not: Monte Gomes. The trainer finished 2002 with one victory from 125 starters.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Wicked Fast, Bobsthebigdog, Mr Joe B and Westward Star in the sixth, singling Kitty On The Track in the seventh and Hermana, Dances Like Velvet and Starship Smokester in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/17. Money: Previous day/meet total: $13/$89. Total money bet: $122.