Tampa Bay Downs Selections - 01/08/09

Prime Wager Results.6-19(32%) -$10.40 (6-3-4) (68% ITM)
Soft Wager Results....4-14 (29%) -$7.60 (4-3-0) (50% ITM)

On Tuesday, my prime wager in the 7th was through early. My prime wager in the 9th settled for third. My soft wager in the 3rd, was out of the money. The underneath side of my contenders only action was solid all day, but nothing clicked on the front end. I enjoyed the dark day on Wednesday. So it goes...

The Tampa Bay Downs Handicapper celebrates 5000 hits since Opening Day. Thanks for your support.

Thursdays Selections:

1st - A soft wager, Aliquot (4) ML20-1. Entered in sprint for a tag for only the second time, shortens up for bomb maker Bernard Bramante. Switch to Pedro Cotto from Djuric hints at intent. A weak field spells opportunity. Win and Exacta Box 4/1,5,6

2nd - A soft wager, Dirtkicker (1). Turn times indicate So Very Irish dogs Leader Whip throughout with both weakening in the stretch and setting the table for Dirtkicker's late run again. RoHo is very tough with live ones. Gatis is all business. Win and Exacta Box 1,2

3rd - A soft wager, Lost River (2). Solid effort on the grass at 1 Mile in last. Has won four sprints lifetime. Pittman is 29% Turf to Dirt and OK with 2L1-3 + 2S angle. Win, Exacta Box 1,2 and Trifectas 1,2/1,2/5,7,8

4th - Contenders Only - Exacta Box 1,4,9. Magic Carpet Glide (1) all three wins at the route. LI Ice Tea (4) has been close after long layoff in the past. Tis Premixed (9) has soft figs but is very consistent and just missed two back.

5th - Contenders Only - Trifectas 5,6/5,6/All

6th - Contenders Only - Straight Trifecta 3/7/8

7th - Contenders Only - Tri Key 12/2,5,7/2,5,7 or Exacta Box 2,5,7 if the 12 doesn't go.

8th - A soft wager, Close the Deal (4). Ness and Felix Ortiz repeat. Close the Deal is very consistent and has no where to go but up in class. Joan's Royal Dawn (3) and Red Liquor n Lace (7) were both beaten by 3-42 Country Kat on 12/19 and that leaves me less than impressed. May get a decent price with Ness for a change. Win only.

9th - Contenders Only - Tri to Dance (1) races at lowest level of career. K O'C has high ITM % with the Dropdown + Stretchout. RoHo is up. Concorde's Pastry (5) got workout in last. Tony Wilson wins 40% at TAM with Fastbacks <14 days. Casablanca Babe (2) has Dale Bennett eager to demonstrate the propriety of his claim and races at her bottom level today. Exacta Box 1,2,5

10th - Contenders Only - Early fractions of No Show Bill (3) and Speculator (7) look untouchable among these. McQuade is always trying with L4-8's and Sweetsoutherndance (2) will be no exception. Exacta Box 3,7 and Saver Trifectas 2/3,7/All.

Good luck and good racing!

Johnny B.