Tampa Bay Downs Selections - 01/15/09

Prime Wager Results.7-20(35%) -$9.20 (7-3-4) (70% ITM)
Soft Wager Results....8-24(33%) -$2.20 (8-5-0) (54% ITM)

On Tuesday, I had no prime selections. My soft wager in the 7th, Summer Party Girl, won by 6 1/2 and paid $4.80. My soft wager in the 10th, Seed of Faith, won like a champ and paid $6.60. Also in the 10th, my $2 exacta returned $48.00. Among my contenders only selections there were five winners but nothing clicked underneath. Welcome to Tampa. So it goes...

There was rain for the first time on Tuesday and some chilly overnight weather. I hope the bias will still be with us on Thursday, but a little bit of caution is justified until the situation is discernible.

Thursday's selections:

1st - Contenders Only - Exacta Box 3,7 and Trifectas 3,7/1,4,5/3,7

2nd - Contenders Only - Exacta Box 9,12 and Trifectas 4,10/4,9,10,12/4,9,10,12

3rd - Contenders Only - Exacta Box 9/3,5,6

4th - A soft wager, Brooks Star (9). Gets the nod on Radcliffe's judgement in always finding the right spot. 5-6 ITM. Best fig (and in last). Great work on 1/6. Claxton (8) was gaining at 6 1/2 F two back but needs to get closer sooner. Also had a great work on 1/10. Win, Trifectas 9/8/All and Saver Exacta 8/9.

5th - Contenders Only - Madame Bling (10). Two seconds in six starts in NY racing for big purses. Has been laid off since July. Jim Toner has not had a winner at TAM in last two seasons. I'll take a flyer with an All/10 Exacta.

6th - Contenders Only - Exacta Box 4,5 and Trifectas 4,5/6,7,8/4,5

7th - A prime wager, Repenter (1). Half-brother to Minaret Stakes winner Repenting was 2nd to On Deck who posted an 81 in a par 71 sprint on 12/31 that went in 1:17:81, a very big effort. Unless there is a surprise, this should be graduation day. Centeno has the return call. Win and Trifectas 1/5,9/3,5,9,10

8th - Contenders Only - Exacta Key 2/4,6,9 and Trifecta 2/1/4,6,9

9th - Contenders Only - Exacta Box 2/1,4 and Trifectas 2,4/1,2,4,8/1,8

10th - Contenders Only - Exacta Box 6,7 and Trifectas 6,7/4,5,11/6,7

Good luck and good racing!

Johnny B.