Tampa Bay Downs Selections - 03/28/08

Results 51-173 (29.5%) +$2.80 (51-23-25) (57.2% ITM)

On Wednesday in the 6th, Native Dress was second best at $1.50-1. In the 11th, She's Bloomin choked as the 8-5 favorite, finishing out of the money. In my contenders only selections the 2nd race exacta clicked for $15.00 and the 5th race exacta returned $12.00. So it goes...

And now...Friday's selections.

1st - Exacta box 5/3,6 and DD 5/1,4

2nd - Exacta box 1,4

3rd - A soft wager, Sheng (PP9). One more chance. In last on 3/9, Sheng lost about four lengths while running into a wall of traffic shortly after the start. Was the beaten favorite in that one. Looks like Centeno was daydreaming in deep stretch after he was clearly beaten by Music Maker, then he gave up second money as well and was standing up as they hit the wire. Centeno rides again today and I think he owes this one to Mr. O'Connor (and the rest of us punters too!). Marky P (PP2) is the only other horse to put up a par fig and that was in November at Calder. Thugster (PP10) shortens up and is bound to keep going one of these days. I'm betting win and 9/2,10 exacta box for a saver.

4th - A soft wager, Forest Light (PP9). Loves the Downs and has been improving with every start since arriving in December. Last at the route on a WF surface went evenly and today he returns to 7F where he put up a par performance, the only one in the field to have done as much. The rest of the field has nothing on this late bloomer. I'll bet win and a 9/3,5,7 exacta key.

5th - A soft wager, General Ridgway (PP10). The General returns on 9 days rest after posting a par 56 last week at 1 1/8th miles. Drops from C5 1Y to C8 N2L, a class change that brings along an improvement of about 4 lengths. Looks like Reedy is trying to strike while the iron is hot and I like that. Fish Fly Soup (PP2) can pop at any time for Sam Cronk. I'm betting win and a 2,10 exacta box for a saver.

6th - Exacta box 10/5,7,11

7th - Tri key 12/4/1,2,3

8th - Exacta box 1,6

9th - Exacta box 5/1,3

10th - Exacta box 2/5,9 and DD 2/5

11th - Trifecta box 3,4,5,10

Good luck and good racing!

Johnny B.