Tampa Bay Downs Selections - 04/04/09

Prime Wager Results.14-32 (44%) -$4.60(14-3-6) (72% ITM)
Soft Wager Results....19-60 (32%) -$8.20 (19-13-7) (65% ITM)

On Friday, I had no prime or soft selections.

Among my contenders only selections:

I had the winner of the 4th, Fire Ridge, $4.00, and
My 11th race $12 exacta box returned $27.00
Four of my contenders only plays scratched.
An off track, an off day.

So it goes...

Saturday’s selections:

1st – Contenders Only (C) – Free Light (7) has the best fig in the field two back and shortens up for Griffith who wins 23% (62% ITM) with shorten ups. Erratic figs say she likes to play follow the leader. We’ll see. Katy’s Cupcake (1) goes for Cheeks and his only winning charge in recent memory (Jaredstemper) won off-the-layoff. Markswayornoway (2) had best fig in last and takes a big drop for Camilo. The three trainers with firsters each have one FTS win in L3T. Win (7), Saver Exactas 1,2/7 and Trifectas 5,7/1,2/1,2,5,7

2nd – Contenders Only (C) – Suave Angel (2) had sub-24 turn time in above par effort in last. Is 7-8 ITM at Tampa and has red hot Cruz in the irons. Too Much Zip (3) goes for Ness and he wins 61% with L1-3 + Shipper + Dropdown angle. The real story here is Ness’s engagement of Gulfstream’s #8 leading rider Elvis Trujillo who is up for the day to try to make some big money. Win (2), Saver Exacta 3/2 and Trifectas All/2,3/2,3

3rd – Contenders Only (A) – Gallant Lover (2) was beaten by Mr. Flatter and Stormin Yank in last and both went on to win in subsequent races and he finished ahead of Tytus who went on to finish 2nd twice in later races. Max Ahead (4) goes for Ness who wins 38% (70% ITM) with first three off-the-claim. Trujillo is up for Ness again in this race. Saucy’s Got It (7) returns to the dirt where he had two big figs. Smock goes to Centeno. Darn Straight (5) had impressive maiden win, but who did he really beat? Exacta Box 2,4,7 and Trifectas 2,4,7/5/2,4,7

4th – Contenders Only (B) – Max Speed (8) gets the nod on the company she’s been keeping, the benefits of the racing experience she’s had, and her demonstrated superior early pace numbers. Bullet work last week was two clicks above par for bullets at 4F. Win (8), Saver Exactas 2,6,7/8 and Trifectas 7,8/2,6,7,8/2,6,7,8

5th – A Soft wager – Scolara (6) steadied turn and stretch and still had a final fraction of 11.93 in last. In previous race an 11.41. Has a softer spot today. Mott wins 30% (60%) ITM on the grass at the Downs. Centeno is up. Has biggest Bris Prime Power advantage I’ve seen this season. Star Operator (3) goes for Ziadie and he was 100% ITM with Layoff + Sprint to Route and 100% ITM with Dirt-to-Turf angles in L2T. Has excellent works for the past month. Quiet Meadow (8) averaged 11.69 in final three panels in last (albeit from a slow early pace) but in previous race had an 11.84. She’s on the way up. Win (6), Saver Exactas 3,8/6 and Trifectas 6/2,9/3,8

6th – A Prime wager – Anythingyouwant (9) should have an insurmountable lead at the 2nd Call in this one. Turn times are untouchable. Ditto for his figs. Bullet work six days ago was better than 71 others. Trujillo is in the irons for Pinchin. Win (9).Trifectas 9/2,3,6/2,3,6

7th – Contenders Only (C) – Fearless Eagle (6) has had only three races since settling for third in last years Turf Classic and finished close in all three. Had a huge 11.11 final fraction in last. Will be tough to beat if he’s still ready. Win (6), Saver Exactas 1,4/6 and Trifectas 1,4,6/3,10,11/1,4,6

8th – A Soft wager – Hypocrite (4) is on a roll winning two stakes in the last two months. Monstrous work on 3/29. Manoel R Cruz, a leader at GP is in town to ride. In last, Right Flanker stalked the pace setter throughout, drifted wide entering, put the leader away in the stretch and just missed after a late run by Stumbling Block. (Stumbling Block went on to win the Turf Marathon with the biggest figure of the year a 111). Win (4), Exacta Key Box 4/1,9 and Trifectas 4/All/1,9

9th – Contenders Only (B) – These three have final fractions in the 11.7 or lower range. Tamborim’s (12) last two were closer to 12. Exacta Box 5,8,11 and Trifectas 5,8,11/10,12/5,8,11

10th – Contenders Only (B) – The classy Paradise Dancer (3) takes a big drop after performing admirably in two stakes. Ziadie is 70% ITM with the Route-to-Sprint angle at Tampa. Leading owner Richard Averill looks to make another score. Win (3), Saver Exactas 6,7/3 and Trifectas 3/4,5,8/6,7

11th – Contenders Only (B) – Gesundheit (2) has won last two and has the leading rider, Daniel Centeno (32% win on the Turf) in the irons. The 1 and 4 look tough but Baron Von Tap has 7% Ramgeet and Therecomesatiger has 0% Alvarado. Win (2), Saver Exactas 1,4,6/2 and Trifectas 2,6/1,3,4,5/2,6

12th – Contenders Only (C) – Genuine Heart (3) figures to improve in second start after dueling and weakening in debut. Gerry Bennett wins 20% (60% ITM) with 2TSs. Allen sticks. Mr. Richmond Sir (1) had best fig in the field in last but is hampered by the inside post. Win (3), Saver Exacta 1/3 and Trifectas 1,3/4,8,9,10/1,3 (edited for typo).

Good luck and good racing!

Johnny B.