Tampa Bay Downs Selections - 02/13/09

Prime Wager Results.11-29(38%) -$11.60(11-3-6) (69% ITM)
Soft Wager Results....13-45(33%) -$14.60 (13-9-4) (58% ITM)

On Thursday, I had no soft or prime selections.

Among my contenders only selections:

My 2nd race $8 exacta key box returned $35.00
My 5th race $8 exacta key box returned $30.00
My 5th race $42 trifecta wager returned $221.20
My 6th race $20 exacta key returned $28.00
Half of my 8th race exacta box scratched, but the half that went won and paid $10.80
My 10th race $4 exacta box returned $12.20.

So it goes...

Friday's selections:

1st – Contenders Only – Fear the Master (5) good early speed in last and folded in race that went in 83 (today’s par is 55). Was close at 4.5F as a 2YO. Behrens likes to pop when the price is right. Exacta Key Box 5/3,7 and DD 5/8 and Trifectas All/5/3,7

2nd – Contenders Only – Diablo’s Got Back (8) early speed improves with every start. The others that have started are all sub-par types. The first time starters are not promising at this rock bottom maiden claiming level. Exactas 8/1,2,3,4,5,6,10

3rd – Contenders Only – Magical Isis (5) shortens up after an above par win in last. Gerry Bennett is OK with right back types but only 5% with shorten ups. Ida Paquette’s star performer Ghazia (3) will certainly be trying again today. Last was par, but can she go another panel? Casual Friday (4) had huge work five days ago, back figs are better than all but Gaston A. (2). Exacta Key Box 5/2,3,7,8 and Trifectas 7,8/2,3,5/2,3,5,7,8

4th – Falcon’s Dream (9) is the only horse that we don’t have to make excuses for. Was close a couple of times. Put him away for six months. Comes back and just misses first time over. Sub-par in last, but so were all the rest. Exacta Box 9/3,6,10 and DDs 9/2,5,7

5th – Contenders Only – Djeddah (5) and Golden Wildcat (7) both finished very strongly in last with final fractions in the zone. Caravel (7) won last with sub-12 final fraction. Exacta Key Box 5/2,7 and Trifectas 5/7,8,10,11/2,7

6th – Contenders Only – Appenzell (7). Had the best fig after a layoff and figures to match or improve upon that one. Real Conquest (1) and Valentine’s Halo (2) have been respectable in their lightly raced careers, definitely contenders. Exacta Key Box 7/1,2 and Trifectas 7/6,9/1,2,6,9 and Pick 6 7/6,7/6,7,6,7/1/6,7

7th – Contenders Only – Smooth Tango (6) and Islandprospectrbob (7) have been earning honest par figs and both are win or place ½ the time. Rail hurts Shock N Storm (1). Exacta Box 6,7 and Trifectas 6,7/3,5,8/1,3,5,8

8th – Contenders Only - Exacta Box 6,7 and Trifectas 6,7/4,5,6,9/4,6,7

9th – Contenders Only – Exacta Box 6,7 and Trifectas 6,7/4,8/5,6,7

10th – Contenders Only – Oculana (1) won under a brisk hand ride and with a final fraction of 11.64. Wow! Exacta Key Box 1/6,8 and Trifectas 1/All/6,8

11th – Contenders Only – Famous Frolic (6). McBride was 3-9 with L4-8 + S + Dropdowns. FF has performed at today’s level before. Working great for return. Goes (7) is ITM about half the time, will be trying again with Centeno in the irons. Exacta Box 6,7 and Trifectas 6,7/2,11/2,6,7,11

Good luck and good racing!

Johnny B.