Tampa Bay Downs Selections - 03/22/09

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 Saturday, I had no prime or soft wagers.

Among my contenders only selections:

My 3rd race $2 saver exacta returned $18.00,
My 5th race $4 saver exacta returned $10.60,
My 6th race $12 exacta box returned $25.60,
I had the winner of the 7th, High On Candy, $5.00,
My 9th race $4 exacta box returned $34.20,
My 10th race $12 exacta key box returned $44.60, and
I had the winner of the 11th, Rhythm and Hues, $5.80

A great winning day and long overdue. So it goes...

Sunday’s selections at http://www.thetbdhandicapper.com/ :

1st – Contenders Only – Sunsational (5) returns to sprint and drops a notch this afternoon. Exposito had an off-the-claim winner last year and that one was a Sprint-to-Route-to-Sprint + Fastback just like Sunsational. Looks like an M.O. to me. Win (5) and Saver Exactas 2,3/5 and DD 5/8

2nd – Contenders Only – Bagatelle Terrace (8) goes for Ambrosia and his runners are always well intended. Was well above par in last. Ambrosia won 63% with L1-3’s in the last two seasons. PID’s 2008 riding champion Dale V. Beckner has the call aboard Fly My Butterfly (6). The filly has been on vacation since September and was beaten favorite in last. This one has my antenna up. Win (8), Saver Exacta 6/8 and Trifectas 6,8/All/6,8

3rd – Contenders Only – Hello From Heaven (6) was at or above par in last two routes. Races at this level for the first time. Has 9 seconds to his credit and his earnings blow these away. Win (6) and Exacta Key Box 6/4,7 and Trifectas 6,7/1,2,8/4,6,7

4th - Contenders Only – Dangifiknow (8) was in contention after 7F in two of last three at the route. The bomb maker Ron Behrens goes Route-to-Sprint today where he won 11% in last two seasons (nearly twice his overall win %). Today’s par is 52, and none of the plodders that went in the 1st on March 6th could reach even 30. Exacta Key Box 8/6,7,12 and Trifectas 8/1,2,4/6,7,12

5th – Contenders Only – Jackie B Good (6) was closest to par in last and comes back fast for Michael Thomas, but he wins only 4% with fastback types. Shortens up 330 feet today. Switches to #7 leading rider Andrew Ramgeet. Pretty Fraulein (5) comes back fast after setting the pace in last for Tony Wilson, and he won 40% (60% ITM) with fastbacks in the last two seasons at the Downs. The presser, Valentine’s Halo (7) may benefit from the speed duel that’s sure to take place between the 3,5 & 6. Exacta Box 5,6,7

6th – Contenders Only – Bold Abbott (12) was 3rd against better company than this at GP in last and with sub-12 final fraction. Motion is winless on the grass at this meeting, but won 19% (ITM 62%) in previous two. El Poppie (9) goes for Lonnie Arterburn after the long layoff. Arterburn is having a great meeting batting .280. Three of Arterburn’s five winners in the previous three seasons were L1-3’s. El Poppies 6F work, one week ago, was two clicks behind that of ALW/OC and seven race winner Diplomatic Charm. Trippin Up (4) had a sub-12 final fraction in last and finished up close after N2L win in previous race. Exacta Key Box 12/1,4,9 or Exacta Box 1,4,9 (if 12 does not draw in) and Trifectas 12/1,5,6,7,8/4,9 or 4,9/1,5,6,7,8/4,9

7th – Contenders Only – On Tour (2) finished up close in last two and was above par two back. Four of Hickey’s seven winners in the last two seasons were maidens. Willie Martinez has a 16% strike rate in dirt sprints. Genuine Heart’s (5) work on March 5th was one click above par for bullets from the gate at four panels. Bennett/Allen team is 50% ITM this season. Jewel Heist (9) goes for Scace and she is always a threat with firsters. Win (2), Saver Exactas 5,9/2 and Trifectas 2,5,9/4,6,7/2,5,9

8th – Contenders Only – Full Tilt Boogie (2) goes for red hot Bagley, who is 3-5 in the last two weeks. Vail wins 14% (33% ITM) on the grass. Smooth Glitter’s (3) dam has 4 winners from 4 starters, including a turf winner. Williams won 25% on the grass in last two seasons. Itch (8) goes for Lerman who is winless on the grass this season but won 18% of his turf starts in the last two. Stellar Ambition (10) had the second best fig in the field in last start on the grass and returns to the grass on the dropdown for Barbaran. Gato Paso (7) has %E very close to the upper limit for today’s race and Cibelli wins only 6% Sprint-to-Route and 7% Dirt-to-Turf. Does not look like a winner. Trifecta Box 2,3,8,10

9th – Contenders Only – Megawattie (1) beat Salty Wave two back at GP and is now 4-9 in 08-09 and 50% ITM lifetime on the turf. Dale Bennett wins almost 40% with L1-3 + S angle. Asgoodasshelooks (4) is. Takes a drop after racing above par in last two. Goes for last year’s #2 leading trainer on the grass, Kathleen O’Connell, and has RoHo in the irons. Salty Wave (5) was beaten by the heavily backed My Kim in last. Gets another chance here. Exacta Key Box 4/1,5 and Trifectas 3,4/1,5/1,3,4,5

10th - Contenders Only – Demagoguery (11) won with an above par 76 in last and Bennett wins 35% with Rightbacks. Is 5-12 now at Tampa. Salty Trick (5) has raced well in last three at 7F and is 4-5 ITM at Tam now. Had excellent work one week ago. Win (11) Saver Exacta 5/11 and Trifectas 5,11/3,7,9,10/5,11

Good luck and good racing!

Johnny B.