Tampa Bay Downs Selections - 01/09/09

Prime Wager Results.6-19(32%) -$10.40 (6-3-4) (68% ITM)
Soft Wager Results....5-17(29%) -$6.00 (5-3-0) (47% ITM)

On Thursday, in the 1st race, the race was for second and my soft wager saver exacta box with 17-1 Aliquot was foiled when he missed the place by 1 1/2 lengths. My soft wager in the 2nd, Dirtkicker was scratched. My soft wager in the 3rd, Lost River was out of the money. My soft wager in the 8th, Close the Deal won and paid $7.60. Among my contenders only selections, my 4th race $12 exacta box returned $22.40 and my $4 exacta box in the 10th returned $31.20. A decent day. So it goes...

Friday's selections:

1st - Contenders Only - Ottasea (6) had very low energy distribution in debut and appears suited to go long. Posted a respectable 40 (today's par is 41) in first. I'm Jealous (4) has demonstrated distance ability as a 3YO. Artz has had some success with FBK, 2L and Stretchout angles. Pompano Beach Rose (7) was the beaten favorite in last (and my choice too!) and switches to Ness' regular rider Daniel Centeno today. K O'C is 14% with Sprint-to-Routes but Invisible Lady (9) seems likely to be invisible at the wire. Exacta Box 4,6,7

2nd - Contenders Only - I'm Wealthy (3). K'OC is good with firsters but only 1-16 last two seasons at TAM. Sire's prodigy win 21% in debuts. Sneaky Heart (7) was flying late in last but must have a better early position to be in it today. Tabouli (10) must have been trying at 11-1 and couldn't get it done, still looks capable of beating these. Exacta Box 3,7,10.

3rd - Contenders Only - La Soldadita (6). Ramos' bomb machine won twice at TAM last season paying $41.00 and then $54.60. There is enough competition in this race for another Ramos score here. Fluffy's Girl (7). Fontana, the king of the bomb makers (with 15 in the last two seasons) may have the same idea. Fluffy's Girl may be 2-47, but she's 11-16 ITM at TAM. Fontana is overdue. Exacta Box 6,7 and Trifectas 1,3,6,7/1,3,6,7,8/1,3,8

4th - A soft wager, Miss Firecat (2). Had the worst trip a FTS could experience and stayed with it late. Stretches out today. Win.

5th - Contenders Only - Cat's Got Legs (4). Bid into stretch and weakened last at TAM on 12/19. Alexander wins 32% in Turf Routes. Another chance. Soaring Emotions (5). Clement and Centeno can't be eliminated. Blissful Song (8). Respectable in first two tries on Turf surfaces that were off. Chad Brown wins 24% on the grass. Barefoot Babe (10). Ships in from the Big A after above par maiden win. K'OC is always tough on the turf. Kiss On a Star (12). Two powerful late runs on the grass. Best final fractions. This race is wide open. Trifectas 8/10/4,5,12

6th - Contenders Only - Exacta Key Box 3/1,7

7th - Contenders Only - Trifectas 10/1,2/1,2,6,9

8th - Contenders Only - Trifectas 5,6/5,6/1,7,8

9th - A prime wager, Castles in the Sky (9). Posted a 91 in last, the highest figure at 5F on the grass among today's contenders. The first quarter went in 21.58 and that was on a surface with a -13 variant that afternoon. PP hurts but he'll drop over right after the break. In absolutely top form for Ness and Centeno. My Best Pal Red(3) was scratched by his vet in that same race. Win and saver Exactas 1,2,3,7,8/3

10th - Pass - Fire Chief's (7) drop does not add up. Fontana's Sunset Escapade (1) has the second best figs in the bunch (albeit sub-par). It's anybody's race.

Good luck and good racing!

Johnny B.