Tampa Bay Downs Selections - 04/05/08

Results 55-185 (29.7%) +$4.60 (55-25-25) (56.8% ITM)

On Wednesday, in the 3rd, Kin Kon was on the lead entering the stretch but could not hold off 40-1 shot Cocoa Beach Rocket, but hung on for second money. In the 5th, Gran Cesare was last entering the first turn and that was the end of that. In the 8th, Manchu Prince finished out of the money, slamming the lid on a down day.

In my contenders only selections, the 4th race $2.00 tri key returned $107.40. And my late double returned $11.60.

Horses to watch - In the 10th, Pirate King was 6 or 7 lengths behind in the early going and was so full of run late, he almost came out of his skin, but was stuck behind a wall of horses in the stretch. Next time at 5F grass or dirt.

Selections for Saturday:

1st - DD 4,6/4,7,10

2nd - Exacta box 4,7,10

3rd - Exacta Box 1,3

4th - A soft wager, El Poppie (PP9). El Poppie has raced way above par in both starts on the grass and winning both easily. I don't think we've seen his best yet. I'll bet win and a 9/3,6 exacta box for a saver.

5th - Tri key 1/4,5,8

6th - Exacta box 4,7,9

7th - A soft wager, Tight Precision (PP3). Tight Precision posted a 90 in last (in a par 68). Today's par is 79. A bullet work at 5F on 3/31. Proctor and Velez a winning combination. Bet win and a tri key 3/6,7,8.

8th - Exacta box 3/5,9,10

9th - A prime wager, Repenting (PP6). Repenting put up a monster 92 (in a par 74) in last. On that day the variant was -4 and Repenting was the only horse to post a + variant that day, a +14. This was an extarordinarily unusual occurence for speed figure gurus and one to be capitalized upon. Bet Repenting with confidence to win.

10th - What goes up, must come down. Lookinforthesecret's win streak ends at 5 in a row. A soft wager, D'artagnan's Spirit (PP5). The Secret gets burned up in a speed duel with Blue Pepsi Lodge and Frisco Star, setting up DS's big late run. D'artagnan's Spirit has still got it, posting two par 98's in his last four starts. Has half as many wins as the Secret, but almost the same lifetime earnings. Whose classier? A bullet work in 4F on 4/1 at Calder is the icing. Bet big, the price will be right!

11th - Exacta box 4/7,9

12th - Exacta box 5/1,2

Good luck and good racing.

Johnny B.