Tampa Bay Downs Selections - 04/15/09

Prime Wager Results.14-33 (42%) -$6.60(14-3-6) (67% ITM)
Soft Wager Results....20-63 (32%) -$10.40 (20-14-7) (65% ITM)

Seasonal Recap: 272 Winning Wagers
87 Winners (Average Payoff $5.90)
130 Exactas (Average Payoff $29.50)
51 Trifectas (Average Payoff $141.00)
4 Daily Doubles (Average Payoff $18.10)

On Tuesday, I had no prime or soft wagers.

Among my contenders only selections:

I had the winner of the 1st, Alexandra's Halo, $6.40,
My 1st race $12 exacta box returned $40.00,
My 2nd race $12 exacta box returned $40.20,
My 3rd race $36 trifecta returned $15.40 (with the DH for 3rd),
I had the winner of the 7th, Transit of Venus, $3.80,
My 8th race $12 exacta box returned $17.40, and
I had the winner of the 10th, Far Out Fiancee, $7.00
Three of my selections were scratched from Tuesday's card.

So it goes...

There are only 10 more race days of free selections before The Tampa Bay Downs Handicapper becomes a subscription only site. Avoid the annual subscription price increase (to $99 after May 3rd) and subscribe today for $25.

Wednesday's selections at http://www.thetbdhandicapper.com/ :

1st – Contenders Only (D) - Lil Skeletol (1) goes for Gary Caple and he had three stretchout winners in L2T. %E is in the target zone. Drops to rock bottom here. Chester the Jester goes for Tony Wilson and he had four Layoff winners in L2T. Wynn’s Message (12) was above par in last after waking up for a price. Win (1), Exacta Box 1,10,12 and Trifectas 1,10,12/2,3,7/1,10,12

2nd – Contenders Only (D) – Pi Pops Angel (2) got out then steadied on the backstretch in debut. Pi Pop goes for Enrique Alonso and he had a winner with a GP shipper this season. Depends On Annie (3) goes for KO’C and she wins 17% in first off-the-claim. O’Connell/Homeister team is 50% ITM this season. Sneaky Irish Lass (5) had the best fig in last and Cibelli wins 18% (45%ITM) with 2L1-3s. Win (5), Exacta Box 2,3,5 and Trifectas 2,3,5/6,7,11/2,3,5

3rd – Contenders Only (C) – Vicar in the House (3) was above par in last after dropping to the $5000 level and is 7-12 ITM in 2008-2009. L.I. Ice Tea had the best fig in the field on 2/5 but hasn’t showed much since. However, he is 50% ITM lifetime at Tampa. Psychic Star (5) and Nana’s Hope (8) have been sub-par but reliable all season. Win (3), Saver Exactas 2,5,8/3 and Trifectas 3,5,8/2,4,7/3,5,8

4th – Contenders Only (B) – Hi Chris (8) was above par in 3 of 4 starts and Griffith won 60% with Layoff + Shipper + Shorten Up types in L2T. Jewel Heist (1) had the best fig among recent starters in last and Scace wins 25% (42% ITM) with 2TSs. Salty (6) comes back in 14 days for Larry Bates and he had 5 Fastback winners in L4T. Montalvo sticks. Win (8), Exacta Box 1,6,8 and Trifectas 1,6,8/3,4,9/1,6,8

5th – Contenders Only (B) – Courting Cat (1) had the best fig in the field in last and consistently finishes faster than these. Benefits from three way speed duel between the 3, 5 & 9 and shortens up for McCarthy. Centeno sticks. Win (1), Saver Exacta 5/1 and Trifectas 1,5/3,4,7,9/1,5

6th – Contenders Only (C) – OFF THE TURF - Polarity (10) Ness’ six panel prep for the grass was satisfactory, but as it turns out Polarity simply stretches out today. Ness wins 44% with Sprint-to-Route angle. Win (10), Saver Exactas 4,8/10 and Trifectas 4,8,10/1,5,9,12/4,8,10

7th – Contenders Only (C) – In Honor of Voula (1) has been working regularly and consistently with some great clockings for Owen McQuade. McQuade had FTS winner Xep for Elmer in 2007 and Jesse Garcia was aboard that one too! Satly Girl (3) comes back to the dirt for Mary Ann Bennett and drops in class today. Centeno is up and he rode her only other maiden winner in L3T. Five Star Sweetie (11) was close to par in debut, then disappointed as the beaten favorite in 2nd try. Centeno jumps to ride Bennett’s filly. Win (1), Exacta Box 1,3,11 and Trifectas 1,3,11/2,6,9,10/1,3,11

8th – Contenders Only (B) – OFF THE TURF - Proctor comes Rightback with Brave Miz (5) after above par effort in Tampa debut. Centeno sticks (leaving Okefenokee). Pyrite Gem (2) is 9-14 ITM on the dirt and fits now. Okefenokee (3) is a solid 12.10 or better final fraction finisher and on the grass, handles the dirt well, and figures to improve in second off-the-claim for Dale Bennett. Prissy Proxy (6) has %E that is outside the upper parameter for today's race but she is 3-3 ITM and was above par in last. Win (5), Saver Exactas 2,3,6/5 and Trifectas 3,5,6/1,2,7,11/3,5,6

9th – Contenders Only (C) – Ixtabentun (5) was above par in debut and goes for Ziadie who was 100% ITM with Layoff + Shipper + Dropdown angle in L2T. Win (5), Saver Exacta 6/5 and Trifectas 5,6/All/5,6

10th – A Soft wager – Supply Guy (2) was given a freshener after winning three races in three months for Ness. Three of the horses that beat him in that very competitive last race (Fortunate Trail, Roboponi and Sneak A Cold Treat) went on to win subsequent races. If Supply Guy hasn’t gone wrong, he wins here. Win (2), Saver Exactas 1,4,7/2 and Trifectas 2/All/1,4,7

11th – Contenders Only (C) – Catch a Peek (3) is a gently handled 8YO that was 5-9 ITM in 2008-2009 and is under the care of #4 leading trainer Kathleen O’Connell. Centeno has the return call and he jumps off the Robert Raymond runner Wicked Sweet (1) to stick with Catch a Peek. Wicked Sweet was the beaten favorite in last and Centeno’s jumping off does not instill confidence here but Raymond had five 2nd Off-the-Layoff + Stretchout winners in L2T. Did everyone but the bettors know she wouldn’t pop in last or did she genuinely disappoint? The jury is out. Seducing Mr. G (6) was in the zone at 8F in the fall and could surprise here. Miss Approval (8) moves up in class after tiring in last as the beaten favorite. This has me scratching my head too! Win (3), Saver Exactas 1,6,8/3 and Trifectas 1,3/2,4,5,6,8,10/1,3

Good luck and good racing!

Johnny B.