Tampa Bay Downs Selections - 04/26/09

Prime Wager Results.14-35 (40%) -$10.60 (14-4-7) (71% ITM)
Soft Wager Results....20-66 (30%) -$16.40 (20-15-7) (64% ITM)

Seasonal Recap: 291 Structured Winning Wagers
(1 out of 3 races after Scratches)

99 Winners (Average Payoff $6.00)
134 Exactas (Average Payoff $29.40)
54 Trifectas (Average Payoff $138.30)
4 Daily Doubles (Average Payoff $18.10)

On Saturday, I had no prime or soft wagers.

Among my contenders only selections:

I had the winner of the 1st, Dixville, $4.60
My 6th race $4 saver exacta returned $28.00,
My 9th race $12 trifecta returned $81.60, and
There were two scratches am0ng my contenders only selections.

So it goes...

There are only 4 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.

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

1st – Contenders Only (C) - Klondike Belle (1) had best early fractions before fading after 6F in last. Goes for Mark Passley who has had 3 MC winners this season and adds leading rider Daniel Centeno. Bipette (4) woke up at 66-1 in last and raced professionally in that one. Little Freebie (6) was well placed early at 8.18F in last and returns to a sprint today where she was 2nd two back. Win (1), Exacta Box 1,4,6 and Trifectas 1,6/2,4,5/1,4,6

2nd – Contenders Only (C) – Fleet Rita (9) has been racing forwardly all season and today Bennett has the Route-to-Sprint + Dropdown angle going, where he wins 23%. Ally’s Girl (1) was roughed up at the start in 2009 debut and raced on Sloppy track, deserves another chance. Bajan Rihanna (8) has two ITM in the Slop this season and may improve on a fast surface, but Rhone wins only 5% on the stretchout and fig at 7F does not instill confidence here. Win (9), Saver Exactas 1,8/9 and Trifectas 1,9/3,5,6,7,8/1,9

3rd – Contenders Only (B) – Imarealguy (6) was 2nd after racing into fast early pace last time out, retains Centeno and had bullet work three days ago. The 6YO is having the best season of his career this year at Tampa. Demagoguery (2) loves the course and always gives his best. Last was well above par for this level, so handling the bump up should not present a problem. Regwell (5) may have lost his form since winning eight weeks ago and there are no Ness angles to work here. Win (6), Saver Exacta 2/6 and Trifectas 2,6/4,5,7/2,5,6

4th – Contenders Only (C) – Hell of a Bell (3) comes back in four days for Gogas after going the first four in 48.28 in last and losing badly as the beaten favorite. Was supposed to win, no doubt, going off $1.40-1 after a one year layoff. I’m guessing the horse has been exercising regularly with some stablemates and didn’t figure out that this was the real thing. Was hardly used and is well intended again here. I don’t have much faith in apprentice Faith Schorr (aboard the 1, Multiphone) but I’m sure she has faith in herself. Win (3), Exacta Box 1,3,9 and Trifectas 1,3,9/5,6,10/1,3,9

5th – Contenders Only (A) - Itch (4) was well above par in last and adds L1 today. However, Lerman is winless on the grass in 17 tries this season. Caple has Glory of Power (9) and he is only 1-10 on the turf this year. Michele Dehn rides Invisible Genius (8) and she was OOM in three starts on the grass. Clement has Western Influence (7) and the Clement/Centeno team has been very successful this year, but this firster does not appear to be extraordinary. Win (4), Saver Exacta 9/4 and Trifectas All/9/4

6th – Contenders Only (C) – Eileen’s Joy (4) comes rightback for Bruce Alexander after posting a respectable 43 in maiden win (today’s par is 47). Alexander wins 25% with rightbacks. Centeno has the return call. Dance Mistress (5) gave way after five panels in last and shortens up today. Wilson goes to Butler, a positive jockey switch. Win (4), Saver Exacta 5/4 and Trifectas 4,5/2,6,7,8,9/4,5

7th - A prime wager – Silver Eagle (9) faced the best on the grounds in last three and held his own with all sub-12 final fractions and above par figs. Moves through N1X condition today. Win (9), Saver Exactas 1,5,8/9 and Superfecta 9/1,5,8/1,5,8/3,7,10

8th – Contenders Only (B) – Chobe (7) shortens up for Ness and sheds 9 lbs.in switch to Mike Straight. Ness wins 38% (73%ITM) with shorten ups. However, Chobe will be without the “go juice” or whatever that was found in Ness’ barn earlier this week (see link http://www.drf.com/news/article/103169.html ). Speculator (4) won in a driving rain, then just missed on a Good surface, then won on a fast track. This horse loves to run and that is what it’s all about. Win (7), Saver Exacta 4/7 and Trifectas 4,7/All/4,7

9th – Contenders Only (B) – Drinkwater (6) set fast early pace and hung late in last. If he can repeat that effort here, it looks like they’ll all be chasing throughout. Win (6), Saver Exactas 1a,5/6 and Trifectas 6/3,4,7/1a,5

10th – A soft wager - Tytus (10) was checked up for racing room on the turn, lost about 1 ½ lengths in the process and finished strongly, gaining on the winner in the shadow of the wire two back at 6F. Had the best fig in the field in that one. Then went 8.18F and led in the stretch before hanging. Shortens up to 7F today and Centeno has the return call for Ness. Storm Thief’s (2) 100 day absence does not add up and Allen wins only 16% with L4-8’s. Poor work eight days ago. Bailey’s Dynasty (7) was closest to par two back and stretches out today. Allen has the return call for Donald Pittman. Win (1), Exacta 1/7 and Trifectas 1/2.7,9,10/2,7,9,10

Good luck and good racing!

Johnny B.