Tampa Bay Downs- 2/9
Feb 8, 2019 14:41:15 GMT -5
Post by tenfurlongs on Feb 8, 2019 14:41:15 GMT -5
One of the two days every year that Tampa can argue that they have the best race card offered throughout the country. Weather forecast is "Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Breezy, with a northeast wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph." Fast and firm!
Race 4- MSW 7F 3yo f: Of the FTSs, #5- Zee Drop (5-1) is a RS Evans homebred with more of a turfy pedigree, but dam was 3rd in the Indiana Oaks going 8.5 on dirt. Clement can pop with a good firster, price will drop with Camacho on board. Mixed feelings. #6- Cool Mo (4-1) debuts for 16% first-out sire. Nations has done well with limited starters at the meet, is part-owner with main client Campanella. Working very well since November, this filly has the feel of a good horse that they've been waiting to run on a big day. Price could drift, don't ignore. From those fillies with previous race experience, only #11- Adventure Land (3-1) has shown good early zip. Widest post means Gallardo will have to cross over, find a forward spot. Trainer Hamm is rather cold this meet, this could end up being another ITM near-miss. Longshot play #2- Shedancesforfate (15-1) stretches out and goes turf-to-dirt after a belated finish in a quickly-run turf sprint where she broke slowly. Sire Two Step Salsa gets plenty of good dirt sprinters here at TBD. Could hit the board at a nice price.
EXA- 5,6/2,5,6,11 [Saver ATB- 2]
Race 5- OClm n1x 7F 4up: #2- Tabia (3-1) lightly raced Tapit gelding broke his maiden decisively going 6 panels here in December. Stretches out in next logical spot off a nice string of breezes, dam was a two-turn stakes winner on dirt. Trainer Wilkes is quietly having an excellent meet thus far. Gallardo aboard will suppress the price. #3- Tizk Tizk (5-1) brings early speed to the event, not sure that 7 furlongs is his best distance though. Could hang around for a share. Longshot play #4- Strategic Ekati (8-1) turnsback in distance after facing much better in last two outings. In for a tag today, should be running late and well-meant.
EXA- 2/3,4 [Saver ATB- 4]
Race 7- MSW 6 1/2F 3yo: #1- Tench (3-1) ran well above early pace pars (+5/+7) in debut, succumbing to a well-meant Clement shipper in deep stretch while finishing six lengths clear of 3rd. Hamm runs him back quickly after a nice half-mile breeze on Sunday. Gallardo is back for the sequel, outrun him to win. #2- World Affairs (6-1) is a head-scratcher from trainer Serpe, who doesn't do much with his FTS. This $260K son of Cairo Prince is a TC nominee, so they must think highly of him. Breezing very well at GP, Jose Ortiz takes the mount while in town. Not sure what to make of it all. The three outside horses #12- Blame the Makers (4-1) Boyce/Castanon, #13- Cobble Hill (9-2) Pletcher/Castellano, and #14- He Iz Gone (12-1) Scott/Camacho are the other logical contenders, but will have to be much the best to hit the board. Longshot play #11- Game Boy Benny (15-1) debuts for the Dini barn, and jockey Martinez is just as cold as the trainer this meet. The workouts are just too good to ignore, however. Could go north of 20-1.
WIN- 1 [Saver EXA 12/1,2,11,13,14]
More to follow...
TW