Top Betting Choices Loom Over Field in $150,000 Hurricane Bertie

Merry Meadow, the 7/5 morning line favorite, has been idle since winning the Grade 3 Sugar Swirl December 13 at Gulfstream Park, but is working brilliantly for her return.  The Mark Hennig trainee posted a dazzling four furlong move in 47 seconds flat January 31 at Gulfstream – the fastest of 100 works at the distance.  Merry Meadow should receive the benefit of a stalking trip behind a trio of potential pace setters.  Jockey Javier Castellano has the mount breaking from post four. 

More Than a Party is the 5/2 morning line second choice for trainer Edwin Broome after dominating a pair of allowance sprints at Gulfstream.  The four year-old daughter of More Than Ready is unbeaten at Gulfstream Park in three starts, most recently running away from a $62,000 optional claiming field January 10 at the six and a half furlong distance.  The speedy filly will break from the rail for jockey Paco Lopez and should make her presence felt early with main pace rivals Wildcat Lily and Centrique drawn outside. More Than a Party has won five of eleven career starts, earning $160,460.  The Hurricane Bertie will mark her first try against graded stakes foes. 

Paco Lopez opted off Wildcat Lily (5/1) after riding the filly in three consecutive starts in favor of More Than a Party.  A capable backup in Rajiv Maragh will take the mount on Wildcat Lily, who can certainly have a say in the race given her speed and affinity for the Gulfstream dirt.