Tampa Bay Downs Selections - 12/27/08

Prime Wager Results 4-12(33%) -$5.40 (4-2-3) (75% ITM)

On Friday, in the 5th, my prime wager He Struck It Rich had an awkward trip start to finish and was out of the money as the beaten favorite. My soft wager in the 6th, Rahoo had to settle for second behind the razor sharp Unbridled Behavior, but my $8 saver exacta key box returned $22.00 in that race. Among my contenders only selections, a $12 exacta box in the 8th race returned $23.80 and my $4 exacta box in the 9th returned $47.80. So it goes...

It's my birthday today, so I'm expecting the racing gods to shower me with good luck and good racing.

Saturday's selections:

1st - A soft wager, Diamond Black Jack (PP5). DBJ stretches out to 6F after finishing well at 5 1/2F at CRC 19 days ago. Has the best speed figs in a weak field. Paco Lopez has been outstanding these first few weeks. Win and Exacta Key 5/4,8,9 and DD 5/3

2nd Contenders Only - Exacta Key 3/5,6,11

3rd - A prime wager, Fleet Ace (5). Has had only two starts, both at AP. Bled in the first. Raced on a yielding Turf course in the second. Raced forwardly in both. Works on the dirt like the backside is on fire. Jim Harries is OK with the Layoff and Turf to Dirt angles. Veteran Willie Martinez rides. Win and Exacta Key Box 5/3,9,10.

4th - Contenders Only - Trifectas 4,9/4,9/All

5th - Contenders Only- Trifectas 4,8/4,8/2,10

6th - Contenders Only - Straight Exactas 5/1,2,3

7th - Contenders Only - Exacta Box 5/10 and Trifectas 5,10/5,10/2,4

8th - Contenders Only - Trifectas 9/4,10/All

9th - Contenders Only - Trifectas All/4,6/1,4,6

10th - A prime wager, Top Seed (12). Last year's Tampa Bay Derby winning rider E.M. Coa has three rides on this afternoon's card, but this is the one he's here for. Michael J. Trombetta absolutely dominates in Non-Graded Stakes. These guys mean business. Undefeated Top Seed appears ready to stretchout after surging late for his last win in ALW N1X/OC50. Post Position 12 sees its first win of the season in race 10. Win and Exacta Key Box 12/4,7.

11th - Contenders Only - Trifectas 6,10/6,10/3,8,11

Good luck and good racing!

Johnny B.