Tampa Bay Downs Selections - 03/21/09

Prime Wager Results.14-32 (44%) -$4.60(14-3-6) (72% ITM)
Soft Wager Results....19-58(33%) -$4.20 (19-13-6) (66% ITM)

On Friday, my soft wager in the 5th, Flying Palm, won and paid $9.60.

Among my contenders only selections:
My 1st race $36 trifecta returned $127.80,
I had the winner of the 2nd, Sister Gal, $6.00, and
My 5th race $48 trifecta returned $68.40

I had two scratched wagers today in the 9th & 10th. So it goes...

Saturday’s selections:

1st – Contenders Only – MVP Grand (4) has %E that is right in the zone for 8.18F and Griffith was 3-4 ITM with Sprint-to-Route types in last two seasons. SP Wolf (2) had best fig in the field in last and it was above par too. Wasiluk goes back to RoHo, who won with SP Wolf in the N2L condition at Delaware last May. Win (4), Saver Exacta 2/4 and Trifectas 2,4/3,5,7,8,9/2,4

2nd - Contenders Only – Our Stormy Girl (4) comes back in 14 days, shortens up and Feliciano switches to #5 leading rider to try to bring her home in front. Feliciano and Gonzalez both have great records with front runners. Our Stormy Girl may have a 3-4 length lead at the 1st Call. Win (4), Saver Exactas 3,5/4

3rd – Contenders Only – A Curious Lady (2) just missed and with a par fig in ALWN1X (par 76) two back. Today’s par is 64. Cibelli won 40% with Dropdown + Stretchout types in the last two seasons at Tampa. Cibelli goes to #2 leading rider, Rosemary Homeister Jr. today. Appella’s Trip (3) has 2 wins and 9 seconds, all at the $16000 level or higher. Was eased well before the wire in last after securing the place. Centeno sticks. Mis Max (6) goes for Smock, who is 44% ITM with Route-to-Sprints in last two seasons at the Downs. Win (3), Saver Exacta 2/3 and Trifectas 2,3/4,5,6,7/2,3,6

4th – Contenders Only – Princess BG (1) had only one race at the $5000 level in her career and she was ridden out in that one. Ziadie wins 30% with Dropdown + Shorten Up angle. Ziadie/RoHo team are 35-49 ITM. Sister Suave (10) has raced well for the past 15 months and is now 8-12 win or place at Tampa. Won last with an above par fig. Poxon does his best work with 30 day layoffs. Win (1), Saver Exacta 10/1 and Trifectas 1,10/2,7,12/1,2,7,10,12

5th – Contenders Only – Caravel (7) was above par in last two and has final fractions that are untouchable among these. Griffith has six turf winners this season. Montalvo rode 18 of Griffiths 22 winners and Caravel is 3-3 ITM on the Tampa turf. Win (7), Saver Exactas 4,5/7 and Trifectas 7/1,8,10/4,5 and DD 7/8

6th – Contenders Only – Exacta Box 5,8,10 and Trifectas 5,10/4,6/5,8,10

7th – Contenders Only – High On Candy (4) has above par 1st call fractions and above par final fractions in both starts on the grass. Cibelli/Velez are 9-17 ITM. Cibelli has four turf winners this season. Flying the Flag (5). Clement has won or placed in 66% of his starts this season, including seven turf winners. Centeno is 7-15 with Clement’s runners. Urban Legend (6) had the best final fraction in the field in debut, but the early going was slow. Win (4), Saver Exactas 5,6/4 and Trifectas 4,5,6/2,8,9/4,5,6

8th - Contenders Only – Just for Kicks (5) comes right back for Ness, who wins 38% rightback and 34% on the stretchout. Stalked the leader and a fast 1st Call fraction in last. Should be calling the shots today. Centeno wins 38% with Ness runners. Sister Nan (2) was a close 2nd to Just for Kicks in last, but Allen went to work on Sister Nan in the turn and Centeno didn’t ask for anything until the 1/8th pole. Gerry Bennett wins only 15% on the stretchout. Hello Miss Lady (6) takes a drop and returns to the dirt. Dodgen is 3-11 with Turf-to-Dirt angle. Win (5), Saver Exactas 2,6/5 and Trifectas 5,6/2,4,7,8/5,6

9th – Contenders Only – Native Miz (2) takes a drop off a big effort in last at FG. Proctor wins 28% with L1-3 + Shipper angle. Centeno has the call. Nick's Girl (3) was covered up entering and her stretch run was interrupted by traffic problems but she was rolling late in last. Improves with better trip today. Exacta Box 2,3 and Saver Exacta Key Box 2/6,8 and Trifectas 2/5,9/3,5,6,8,9 (edited).

10th – Contenders Only – Expect Validity (2) comes out of very tough race with Roboponi and Rahoo and won previous at the $8000 level with above par fig. Before that he went in a 7F race with a final time of 123.88 against starter company. Is 14-18 ITM at Tampa, including 5 wins. The 5,7,9 all raced together on March 7th and Jet Prop (another runner in that event) won on St. Patty’s Day in C5 N2Y company. Win (2), Exacta Key Box 2/5,7,9 and Trifectas 2/6,8/5,7,9

11th – Contenders Only – Rhythm and Hues (4) was above par in last and shortens up for O’Connell who wins 18% with shorten ups. Roho sticks, choosing R&H over Stack Tour. Bane (6) has %E that’s in the zone for 8.18F. Was close to par in last. Win (4), Saver Exactas 1,6/4 and Trifectas 4/7,8,9/1,6

Good luck and good racing!

Johnny B.