Tampa Bay Downs Selections - 03/20/09

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 Wednesday, I had no prime or soft selections.

Among my contenders only selections:
My 3rd race $12 trifecta returned $94.60,
My 4th race $12 exacta box returned $33.60,
My 7th race $12 trifecta returned $221.80, and
I had the winner of the 9th, Hit Another Gear, $21.00 So it goes...

Friday’s selections at www.thetbdhandicapper.com :

1st – Contenders Only – Aticifier (1) has demonstrated that he can be in contention in the late going and has the best fig in the field in last. Braciole (5) has the front all to himself again today and takes a big drop. Griffith/Montalvo are 54% ITM. Sierra Maestra (9) is a firster from the Luhr barn and she had a FTS winner in MC12500 in 2007.Gonzalez rode that one too! Owner/Breeder Stella Thayer will have a life-size monument next to the toteboard someday. Exacta Box 1,5,9 and Trifectas 1,5,9/6,7,8/1,5,9

2nd – Contenders Only - Sister Gal (10) is 7-10 ITM, including 2-3 ITM in Tampa dirt sprints. Made a middle move and outfinished rest in last. Schultz leaves 1-20 Ernesto Oro for #10 leading rider Willie Martinez. Banker’s Mistress (6) finished gamely with best fig in field and was close to par in last at 50-1. If she can match that effort today, she could finally graduate and put a meal on Winless Walter’s table (that is unless he cashed on the wake up in last). Win (10), Saver Exactas 6,11/10 and Trifectas 6,10/4,5,9,11/6,10,11

3rd – Contenders Only – Very Arrogant (7) stretches out for bomb maker Juan Camilo, who wins 22% (67% ITM) with Sprint-to-Routes at Tampa. Resisted to late in last.. Had best dirt fig in the field at the route earlier this season. Won back to back routes at Tampa last spring, both longshots. Twisting Road (1) takes a big drop for Dale Bennett, who wins 33% with dropdowns. Last three figs are good enough to put these away. I’ve been down on Diligent Won (5) all season and saved a lot of dough in the process. He’s 0-16 last two years and 2-32 lifetime at Tampa. Last performance was sub-par, but he appears to be in best form now. Memo Pad’s (10) %E says he is not well suited to today’s distance. Win (7), Saver Exactas 1,5/7 and Trifectas 1,5,7/1,5,7/8,9,10

4th – Contenders Only – Magical Cure (10) goes for Robert Raymond who won 23% on the stretchout in last two seasons. Switch to #8 leading rider HVG doesn’t hurt. Prince David (11) will set the pace again and just missed in last. Kaelin is 50% ITM with Route-to-Sprint types. Big Cash (4) is a Lynn Scace firster and she wins with FTS’s, but she hasn’t won with a maiden claimer entered for less than $25,000 in the last three seasons. Big Cash does not look like a winner to me. Win (10), Saver Exacta 11/10 and Trifectas 10,11/1,4,8/4,10,11

5th – A soft wager – Flying Palm (6) was forced into the rail in the stretch, was taken up, then recovered to finish satisfactorily in last. Had the best figs in the today’s field in previous two. Races at this level for only the second time in his 29 race career. Comes back fast for Gerry Bennett who wins 24% (70% ITM) with fastbacks. Tytus (2) was a monster last year, winning four of five, but sadly, is no longer the same horse. Has been dropping faster than the stock market. Goes from a par 84 to a par 73 today and Centeno takes the mount, but I’m saving with Tytus and that’s it. Wonderfin (5) and Everblazing (8) have the patented Fontana Distance Change + Jockey Switch going. Watch out. Win (6), Saver Exactas 2,5,8/6 and Trifectas 6,8/2,5,7/2,5,6,7,8

6th – Contenders Only – Pay Zone (1) goes for Griffith who won 60% in last two seasons with Layoff + Shipper + Up In Class types. Somebody thinks highly of Jet Pro (4) who was the beaten favorite in last three. Returns to the dirt today. RoHo sticks. Fundit (8) closed well in debut and the course has been good to S types in recent weeks. Adds L1. Exacta Key Box 4,8/1 and Trifectas 1/3,5,7,9/4,8

7th – Contenders Only – Affirmed Action (2) was well intended but overmatched in very fast paced Tampa Bay. Has been very reliable otherwise and goes for Griffith, who has 6 turf wins this season. His go to rider, Montalvo is back in the irons today. Marquet Cat (4) had big fig in last win. Has no where to go but up. Tony Terrific (6) also had above par fig in last and has the best turf speed at today’s distance. His trainer, Jim Gulick is 0-4 on the grass this year, but won 21% (43% ITM) in last two seasons at Tampa. Exacta Key Box 6/2,4 and Trifectas 6/1,5,8/2,4

8th – Contenders Only – Meridian Hour (1). Maiden win two back on the dirt was best fig in the field. Comes back to the dirt and shortens up today. Mike Allen has ridden 6 of 7 of Arterburn’s winners this season. Tigerglider (4) shortens up and drops down and broke maiden at the distance two back. Win (1) and Saver Exacta 4/1 and Trifectas 1,4/2,5,8/1,4

9th – Contenders Only – Prytania (14) had the best final fraction of all maidens in the 2008-2009 season and that was on a Good surface in debut. Also has the best fig in this field. Proctor won 67% with Layoff + 2TT angle in last two seasons. Win (14), Saver Exactas 6,8/14 and Trifectas 14/2,3,4,10/6,8

10th – Contenders Only – Supply Guy (2) takes a minor drop for Ness and he wins 39% (63% ITM) with dropdowns. Goes both ways and will get going late in this one. Western Night (4) will have the lead, but will be hard used to get it and keep it, with Tricks of Glory (5) (won 10 of last 17) and Regwell (8) (eased up before the wire in last win) both arguing the pace throughout. Exacta Key 2/4,5,8 and Trifectas 4/2/All

11th – Contenders Only – Florida Boy (9) has clean record and figs are competitive enough to beat these. Was boxed in last and still managed to finish up close in last. Camilo had 11 bombs in last two seasons. Vicar In the House (3) was up close at the 2nd Call in last and improved in second start. Takes a minor drop. Sir Swervalot (1) had nothing left at the route two back and I think that whatever is ailing him will keep him from winning at 8.5F. Win (9), Saver Exacta 3/9 and Trifectas 3,9/1,5,10/3,9

Good luck and good racing!

Johnny B.