Tampa Bay Downs Selections - 03/12/09

Prime Wager Results.13-31 (42%) -$7.80(13-3-6) (71% ITM)
Soft Wager Results....16-54(29%) -$20.60 (16-13-5) (63% ITM)

On Tuesday, I had no prime or soft wagers.
Among my contenders only selections:
My 3rd race $36 trifecta returned $70.20,
My 4th race $20 daily double wheel returned $23.20, and
My 5th race $12 trifecta returned $100.40 So it goes...

Thursday’s selections:

1st – Contenders Only – A wide open affair with all of them potentially reaching the wire together. Black Kat Mambo (5) adds blinkers for Cataldi who has good success with 2TS’s and goes to Cotto (2-6 ITM for Cataldi). Phat Dream (10) showed something first time over, in the only last race that was close to par. Follow the Recipe (11) was close in two of four lifetime starts. Exacta Box 5,10,11 and Trifectas 4,8,12/5/10,11

2nd – Contenders Only –Ottosea (1) won and just missed going long two and three back and deserves another chance here, unlike Sweetsouthernstar (6) who has had 22 chances and was the beaten favorite in last two (yeah, I know she had a bad trip last time out).Asteria Meadow (4) %E is outside the upper parameter for today’s distance, but she’s close to it. Danica (9) was close two back, then had a short lead before she gave way in last. You never know. Rio Rendevous (8). Knipe wins only 8% on the stretchout. Exacta Key Box 1/4,9 and Trifectas 1,4/6,9/1,4,6,9

3rd – Contenders Only – Honor America (6) raced at par by my figs in last and was gaining late. Alexander is 50% ITM in first three off-the-claim, Roho who rode three of his four winners this season has the return call. Exacta Key Box 6/3,8 and Trifectas 3,6/4,7,8/3,4,6,7,8

4th – Contenders Only – Red Plays Rough (7) gets the key spot in the exacta on merits. Raced forwardly in first two, both races that were won in final times well above par. Lawrenceberg (2) was scratched by practicing vet on March 5th. Teator sticks with “showed little” Full Jet (9). Exacta Key Box 7/2,4,5 and Trifectas 7/6,9/2,4,5

5th – Contenders Only – Storm Harbor (2) had sub-12 final fractions in only two starts on firm course, none of the others can say as much. (When I say final fraction, I mean the horses average time in seconds per furlong, from the 2nd Call to the wire). Last work was satisfactory. Win (2), Saver Exacta 10/2 and Trifectas 2,10/1,3,5,12/2,10

6th - Contenders Only – Centeno jumps to Macumbira (10) after striking out (three times) with Counterproposal (3). He should know. Macumbira was ITM 5 of last 8 on the dirt. Juan Arias is a Tampa veteran and knows what he’s doing. Win (10), Saver Exacta 3/10 and Trifectas 10/1,2,7,9/1,2,3,7,9

7th – Contenders Only – Fire Ridge (2) posted a 79 in a par 64 in last and was ridden out. Red Hot (I wish I had red type here) Ronnie Allen Jr., who had 4 winners and a second on Tuesday has the return call. Would be a prime if Proctor won more than 5% when going up in class. Exacta Key 2/4,7,10 and Trifectas 4,7,10/2/4,7,10

By the way, PP’s 1 & 2 have won less than their fare share of races for weeks on end in dirt sprints, but Ronnie Allen Jr brought home two from the inside on Tuesday. How did he do it? Ronnie brought both of them to the middle of the track right after the break in both. Heads up riding Ronnie!

8th – Contenders Only – Out In The Open (1) drops for Gerry Bennett who wins 25% (52% ITM) with dropdowns and comes back fast where he wins 24% (70% ITM). Was closest to par two back. Must overcome the #1 post. Bucky Came Home (9) worked fast from the gate on 2/17 and appears ready for return. Lucie could have win #2 here. Behrens burned me on Sunday when he brought CJ’s Whatsinaname back fast and I dismissed the horse on Behrens’ 3% win rate with fastbacks. Whip the Groom (3) won on the fastback on Feb. 6th. Does he have a new angle? I won’t know until the numbers are crunched for 2009-2010. Caveat Emptor. Exacta Key Box 1/2,3,4 and Trifectas 2,9/1/3,4,6,8

9th – Contenders Only – Exacta Box 2,5,10 and Trifectas 2,5,10/3,6,7,11/2,5,10

10th – Contenders Only – Mahvelous Bert (12) right back for Pecoraro after an above par victory 13 days ago. Centeno looks for another trip to the winner’s circle. Wild Inquiry (2) drops from a par 82 to a par 75 (one of those major, but less than obvious drops) and shortens up today. Thatsthe Fact Jack (5) goes for Gatis who is 7-28 in first off-the-claim according to the bible. Man of Men (11) has been tough all season and shortens up after having a clear lead and hanging in last. Rhone is a bomb maker. The higher Man of Men’s odds the better I like him. Exacta Key Box 12/2,5,11 and Trifectas 11,12/2,4,5,6/11,12

Good luck and good racing!

Johnny B.