Horse Racing Trader’s Tips: Gulfstream Park – Saturday 18th April

Our expert makes his selections ahead of Saturday’s action

There’s plenty of racing action in America this weekend,with four jam-packed cards to look forward to.

And our trader Barrie Bushnell has taken a closer look atGulfstream Park as the Spring Meet continues with a bumper 12-race card ofclaimers and maidens.

Leading Jockey

Tyler Gaffalione will look to extend his lead overnearest rival Luis Saez after riding a double this week. He’s now ridden 21winners at the Spring Meeting and he hit the board with seven of his ninemounts on Thursday.

Gaffalione will be busy on Saturday with a strong book ofrides and he’ll be looking to repeat last season’s Preakness Stake having wonwith War Of Will.

Tyler Gaffalione booked rides: Matcha (17:45),Markistan (18:15), Princess Carrigan (18:45), Holy Meister (19:46), BroadwayPete (20:17), Opus North (20:48), Brass Compass (21:21), Mintd (21:53),Causalistic (22:25), Lady Grace (22:57)

Leading Trainers

Todd Pletcher is expected to be among the toptrainers this year, boasting an impressive record of 16 Championship Meettitles at Gulfstream Park. With nearly 5,000 career wins, he has three chancesto add to that total with the prolific Luis Saez.

But he’ll face stiff competition from rival trainer SaffieJoseph Jr, who has a strike rate of 21% with five winners from 24 starts. Hejoined the U.S training ranks in 2011 having won the Barbados triple Crown agedjust 22.

He’s improved remarkably each year and he achieved a careerbest of 95 winners last season, with his first Grade One winner coming inSeptember’s Pennsylvania Derby with Math Wizard.