Tampa Bay Downs Selections - 02/17/09

Prime Wager Results.11-29(38%) -$11.60(11-3-6) (69% ITM)
Soft Wager Results....14-46(31%) -$13.20 (14-9-4) (59% ITM)

On Sunday, my soft selection in the 3rd, Screening Room, won handily and paid $3.40. Among my contenders only selections, my 4th race exacta box scratched and four of my exacta plays were foiled by longshots today. So it goes...

Tuesday’s selections:

1st - Contenders Only – Levy Light (7) won at this distance last spring at Tam and her figs are better than the rest of the bunch, except for Winterello (5), who has tried but never won at this distance. O’Connell/Homeister team is ITM ½ the time. Sweet Paprika (1) won two at today’s distance a year ago at Tam. The winner will come from within 2 ½ or 3 lengths at the 2nd Call. Exacta Box 7/1,4 and Trifectas 1,4,7/1,2,4,7/3,6

2nd – Contenders Only – Casino Carol (1) and Palace Charm (5) both leave open company with above par figs but neither seems to like to race forwardly. Stop N Gun (2) on the other hand was up close in sprint last time out and with a %E that is ideal for today’s race. Exacta Box 1,2,5

3rd – Contenders Only – Reason to Rejoice (9) has enough early speed to put these away and make it two in a row for new connections. Was above par in last and usually is. Gold Jolie (7) was above par in win at today’s distance two back. Buckler (12) is looking for first win of the season after being close up in last two. Exacta Key Box 9/7,12 and Trifectas 9/3,10,11/7,12

4th – Contenders Only – Early speed brings one of these home in front. Miss Firecat (8) looked good in debut, all downhill since. Had a very good work in the slop two weeks ago and drops today for Michael Thomas who worked magic with Dennis’s Dream last winter at Tampa. Exacta Box 5,8,12

5th – Contenders Only – Privy Seal (6) was boxed and blocked through the second turn to mid-stretch, altered course outside for clear racing room and closed fast to just miss in last, eleven days ago. Lots of speed here keeps Lucky Leo (10) from having an easy time of it. Chief Thief (4) takes big drop after two month layoff and poor showing first time over. Exacta Box 6/1,4,10 and Trifectas 1,6/4,5,7,9/1,6,10

6th – Contenders Only – Exacta Box 2,6,9 and Trifectas 2,6/5,7,9,10/2,6,9

7th – Contenders Only – Tawnimara (5) above par in all three starts this season, shortens up this afternoon. Mystamy (3) has been right there in all three and will handle the incremental class increase. Exacta Box 3,5 and Trifectas 5/3,7,9,11/3,7,9,11

8th – Contenders Only – Gonna Blow (4) had best fig at the route on the dirt three back and loves to run at the Downs. Bomb maker Bramante already brought him home for $50.00 to win this season. He will try again today. Exacta Key Box 4/7,9,10

9th – Contenders Only – Exacta Key Box 4/2,7,12 and Trifectas 4,12/5,6,10/2,7

10th – Contenders Only – Ryder Jax (9) was at or above par in 2 of 5 lifetime starts, bore out at the break in last and lost some ground in the process but still managed a par effort. O’Connell/Homeister team up for another winner. Win (9), Saver Exactas 2,8/9 and Trifectas 9/3,5/2,8

Good luck and good racing!

Johnny B.