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HORSE RACING

The Mr. Prospector Gulfstream Park, Race 5 - Post 2:37 $100,000 (Grade III), 3 y.o. & up, 6 furlongs 1. Bull Dozer. . . Javier Castellano. . . 6-1

The Mr. Prospector

Gulfstream Park, Race 5 - Post 2:37

$100,000 (Grade III), 3 y.o. & up, 6 furlongs

1. Bull Dozer. . . Javier Castellano. . . 6-1

2. Dreaming of Neno. . . Francisco Torres. . . 6-1

3. Off the Jak. . . Jose Alvarez. . . 12-1

4. Action Andy. . . John Velazquez. . . 6-5

5. Partyallnightlong. . . Jose Lezcano. . . 12-1

6. Indiano. . . Luis Saez. . . 8-5

Indiano was a strong second behind this race's favorite in his first start in 4 months, the Pelican Stakes at Tampa Bay on Dec. 8. He was beaten only a half-length in this race last year as the favorite. Action Andy, coming off his two best efforts of a 30-race career, is the deserving favorite in this spot. The only concern is that his lone race on this surface was dreadful. If he maintains his recent form, the surface may be irrelevant as he goes for his eighth win of the year. Off the Jak seldom wins, but rarely runs poorly, either.

* D.J.'s picks: 1. Indiano; 2. Action Andy; 3. Off the Jak

The Dave's Friend

Laurel Park, Race 8 - Post 3:55

$125,000, 3 y.o. & up., 6 furlongs

1. My Charming Clyde. . . No rider. . . 20-1

2. Immortal Eyes. . . Sheldon Russell. . . 4-1

3. Fiddlers Afleet. . . Angel Arroyo. . . 4-1

4. This Ones for Phil. . . Erick Rodriguez. . . 8-5

5. Broad Rule. . . Forest Boyce. . . 12-1

6. Wolfcamp. . . Jonathan Joyce. . . 8-1

7. Il Villano. . . Kendrick Carmouche. . . 7-2

This race just happens to be named for my all-time favorite racehorse. Dave's Friend raced in Maryland in the late 1970s and around the country into the mid-1980s, winning more than $1 million as a pure sprinter, but never getting the Eclipse Award he deserved. None of these horses would have any chance against Dave, but Il Villano's best is good enough to beat this group. He got kind of a strange trip in his last race at Penn National. This Ones for Phil goes for career win No. 10. With more than $750,000 in earnings, he has made those wins count.

Immortal Eyes did everything but win last month against the amazing Ben's Cat in the Fabulous Strike Handicap at Penn National.

* D.J.'s picks: 1. Il Vilano; 2. This Ones for Phil; 3. Immortal Eyes

The Daytona

Santa Anita, Race 8 - Post 7:07

$100,000 (Grade III), 3 y.o. & up, 6 1/2 furlongs (turf)

1. Great Mills. . . Rafael Bejarano. . . 4-1

2. Byrama. . . Garrett Gomez. . . 8-1

3. Comma to the Top. . . Corey Nakatani. . . 5-1

4. Starspangled Heat. . . Mike Smith. . . 20-1

5. Circa'sgoldengear. . . Joe Talamo. . . 8-1

6. Clubhouse Ride. . . Aaron Gryder. . . 12-1

7. Capital Account. . . David Flores. . . 6-1

8. Guest Star. . . Victor Espinoza. . . 12-1

9. Red Sun. . . Julien Leparoux. . . 6-1

10. Wilkinson. . . Martin Pedroza. . . 6-1

11. Ain't No Other. . . Juan Hernandez. . . 8-1

12. Tale of a Champion. . . Tyler Baze. . . 15-1

The quirky downhill grass course is unlike anything anywhere. Horses either adapt to it or get lost on it. Starspangled Heat will be a longshot, but he has run well on the course. Sometimes, that is all that's necessary for success on a course that heads downhill, makes a few turns and then goes over a dirt track for a few strides. Great Mills obviously took to the course, running a very strong fourth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. The inside post, however, is tricky on this course. Red Sun made his first start nearly 4 years ago, but this will be only his 13th race. He is 2-for-3 on this course, however, and dangerous.

* D.J.'s picks: 1. Starspangled Heat; 2. Great Mills; 3. Red Sun

- Dick Jerardi