Tampa Bay Downs Selections - 03/15/09

Prime Wager Results.14-32 (44%) -$4.60(14-3-6) (72% ITM)
Soft Wager Results....18-57(32%) -$11.80 (18-13-6) (65% ITM)

On Saturday, I had no prime or soft selections.

Among my contenders only selections:
My 2nd race $4 saver exacta returned $36.40,
My 9th race $4 saver exacta returned $13.80, and
I had the winner of the 13th, Later Gator for $6.00. So it goes...

Sunday’s selections at http://www.thetbdhandicapper.com/ :

1st – Contenders Only – Cotswold Hills (9) was close to par at 7F and his %E is near the upper limit for 8.18F, but it is in the zone. Ritchey wins with maidens 40% of the time at Tampa and 20% going Sprint-to Route. Double Bonus Day (5) was tepidly backed in debut and stretches out for Ryan, who wins 28% with his stretchouts at Tampa. Workout on March 8th was extraordinary for a maiden claimer. Switches to Ronnie Allen Jr. Win (9) and Saver Exacta 5/9.

2nd – Contenders Only – Glory Cat (5) goes for Cathy Rountree who was 70% ITM on the stretchout and won 20% with 2L’s in the last two seasons at Tampa. Has had three goose eggs to this point in the season and is overdue. Sneaky Guy (8) has superior figs and needs only to find her stride to win once. However, KO’C wins only 11% with L1-3’s, so today may not be the day. Win (5), Saver Exacta 8/5 and Trifectas 5/1,3,6/1,3,6,8

3rd – Contenders Only – Jade’s A Pleasure (1) was close in both tries at this level and shortens up today. Brnjas/Feliciano are 5-6 ITM. Numero Uno Lady (6) won last with sub-par 46 (in a par 57) but Gerry Bennett is in the money an eye popping 83% with Fastback + UC angle. Exacta Box 1,6 and Saver Exactas 1,6/7 and Trifectas 1,6,/3,5,8/1,6,7

4th – Contenders Only – Fluffy’s Girl (3). Fontana switches to #7 leading jockey Mike Allen after Fluffy showed nothing all season. Something is up! Winterello (10) returns to a route after racing evenly at 7F in last. Sheds 14 lbs. in switch to apprentice rider M. Straight. Catch A Peek (8) has a 24% win rate and %E says she could go the distance, but an 8YO going 8.5F for the first time doesn’t add up. Win (3,10), Trifectas 3,10/2,5,7,8/3,5,10

5th – Contenders Only – Peinture Fraiche (2) was above par in last five on the grass and finished up close after long drive in last. Has had four weeks off. Excellent work on 3/11 indicates continued readiness. Try Your Best (14) goes for Bruce Alexander who is 68% ITM with L4-8s. Win (2), Saver Exactas 10,14/2 and Trifectas 2/1,7,8,12/10,14

6th – Contenders Only – Talking Flirt (1) takes a big step up from a par 65 to a par 71. Seems unlikely to repeat. Classy Flower (2) raced above today’s par in last and Simms wins 29% rightback. Very tough here. Beautiful Rainbows (4) takes a drop in 3rd off Cibelli claim. She is 88% ITM in first three off claim. A pot of gold lies at the other end for Beautiful Rainbows. Win (4), Saver Exactas 2,5/4 and Trifectas 4/2,3,5,6/2,3,5,6

7th – Contenders Only – My Pill Box (4) was six lengths above par in last two and is the horse to beat. Velez has had positive momentum after a poor start earlier in the season. Ms. Short Pockets (9) goes for 4-6 on the grass trainer Jason Servis. Was well bet in debut. Dam has a turf winner. Gets Centeno in the irons. Win (4) and Saver Exacta 9/4

8th – Contenders Only – Lucky Dreamer (2) gets the nod on Ness’s forte angle, the Route-to-Sprint where he won 50% in the last two seasons. It’s a tough race though. Win (2) and Saver Exactas 1,3,6/2

9th – Contenders Only – Win (2), Saver Exacta 3/2 and Trifectas 2,3/4,5,7/2,3,4,5,7

10th – Contenders Only – Blazing Prize (6) gets the nod on demonstrated ability at the distance and forward running style. Last fig was 77 not the 70 that the bible shows. Win (6), Saver Exacta 5/6 and DD Wheel 6/All

11th – See DD Wheel above.

Good luck and good racing!

Johnny B.