Tampa Bay Downs Selections - 02/12/09

Prime Wager Results.11-29(38%) -$11.60(11-3-6) (69% ITM)
Soft Wager Results....13-45(33%) -$14.60 (13-9-4) (58% ITM)

On Tuesday, I had no prime or soft wagers. Among my contenders only selections, my 2nd race $12 exacta key box returned $49.80. In the 6th, half of my exacta box scratched, but the other half went and paid $8.40 (Expect Validity). So it goes...

Thursday’s Selections:

1st – Contenders Only – Lil’s Glitter (11) was sideswiped at the break in last by Ryder Jax and could not possibly recover. Has the best fig in the field (two back), will be a sweet overlay today. Exacta Key Box 11/1,3,8,9 and DD 11/4

2nd – Contenders Only – Valid Cureincy (4) was above par in last, shortens up today, races forwardly and has very consistent pace and speed. Looks like graduation day. Full Rate (3) didn’t show much first time over, but previous three were close to par. Adds blinkers. Velez, who is finally waking up, has the return call. Stack Tour (5) had monstrous work at OTC two weeks ago, maybe Barbaran has gotten the bugs out. Has decent ITM record with first off intermediate layoffs. HVG gets the call. Exacta Key Box 4/3,5

3rd – Contenders Only – An interesting race with many one dimensional front runners. There is so much speed the race could fall apart. She’s On Fire (7) can come off the pace, was claimed by Girten-Drake who has waited 31 days to enter her new charge. Had an excellent work since. Exacta Key Box 7/3,4 and Trifectas All/3,4,7/3,4,7

4th - Contenders Only – Montalcino (12) is always knockin’ on the door and is 7-9 ITM at Tam. The beaten favorite in last finds herself in with a bunch of misfits today and should finally get win number two. Exacta 12/9 and Trifectas 12/2,3,7,9,11/9

5th – Contenders Only – He Struck It Rich (6) is the only horse in the race to ever have two par performances (including last). Has two seconds in three tries on the grass at Tam. Well backed in both starts this season. Mill Point (2) and Be Boppin Wynn (10) have both put up sub-12 final fractions two back and He Struck It Rich can’t say that. Exacta Key Box 6/2,10 and Trifectas 2,6,10/2,6,10/All

6th – Contenders Only – Strike It Ritz (7) all but last were above par, takes the drop for the win. Left Clement barn for Delacour who is having a good season. Have a long way to go to recover the $160K the Peachtree Stable paid for him. Exacta Key Box 7/1,2,3,4,5

7th – Contenders Only – Dale Bennett entry looks very tough here. Conchacer (1a) was four lengths above par in debut and was the favorite in that race. Shortens up today. Comitatus (1) had early speed in debut and also shortens up. Dale Bennett won 40% (10-25) with shorten up angle last two seasons. Also has high win % with layoffs. Conchacer would be a prime if it weren’t for He’s One For One (8) who chased in debut in August and went 3F in 37 breezing from the gate four days ago at Tam. Smock is 50% ITM with L4-8’s. Exacta Box 1a,8 and Trifectas 1a,8/All/1a,8

8th – Contenders Only – Rahoo (3) is in top form. My figs are 86-89-90 for last three, today’s par is about 70. Has never won at the route but if he can, the time is now. Mr. Easy E (4) came out of the same race as Rahoo, where he failed to menace, but he is better suited to today’s 8.18F distance. Greg Griffith has a good eye and won with Silver Peagus off the claim last year. Proud Diligence’s (6) last was above par. Can’t be left out. Fontana is an enigma. Comes back fast with Last Samurai (7) who won last out with an above par fig, but Fontana is 3% with fastback types. His other runner, Outshine (2) won at this distance a year ago at Tam in third start of the season. Shows little but can’t be ignored for a piece. Babo (8) was flying late in last. Exacta Box 3,4 and Trifectas 3,4/2,6,7,8/3,4

9th - Contenders Only – Exacta Box 9/1,6 and Trifectas 1,6/All/9

10th – Contenders Only – Exacta Box 3,9 and Saver Exactas 6/3,9 and Trifectas 3,9/1,5,6,8/3,8,9

Good luck and good racing!

Johnny B.