Tampa Bay Downs Selections - 04/25/09

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: 288 Structured Winning Wagers
(1 out of 3 races after Scratches)
98 Winners (Average Payoff $6.00)
133 Exactas (Average Payoff $29.40)
53 Trifectas (Average Payoff $139.40)
4 Daily Doubles (Average Payoff $18.10)

On Wednesday, I had no prime or soft wagers.

Among my contenders only selections:
I had the winner of the 1st, Esprit de Mar, $14.60,
I had the winner of the 3rd, Train to Glory, $15.60,
I had the winner of the 6th, Arhat, $4.20,
My 8th race contenders only selection scratched.

So it goes...

There are only 5 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.

Saturday’s selections at www.thetbdhandicapper.com :

1st – Contenders Only (C) – Dixville (3) was 2nd best in first two tries at rock bottom and appears ready to graduate. Burning Belle (2) has three thirds in last three at the route. Cruising Broadway (7) improves under Centeno. Win (3), Saver Exactas 2,7/3 and Trifectas 2,3,7/5,7,8,10/2,3,7

2nd – Contenders Only (B) – Bluegrass Girl (2) returns to the dirt and drops in class after going evenly in last two on the grass. Had a par fig at today’s distance in January. Represents the value play here. Win (2), Saver Exactas 1,3/2 and Trifectas 1,2,3/2,3,4,8/1,3

3rd – Contenders Only (A) – Shadow Belle (4) posted a 77 in 2009 debut (today’s par is 68) with awesome turn time. Ziadie wins 35% rightback and 27% going up in class. Shortens up today. Dehn has the return call and Belle carries her at 109 lbs. today. I’ve touted Juicy Loots’ (2) virtues all season and she’s disappointed five times. This is her last chance this season. Just for Kicks (7) goes for Ness and he won 4 of 5 with the Layoff + Route-to-Sprint + Dropdown angle in L2T. Win (4), Exacta Box 2,7,4 and Trifectas 4,7/2,3,5/2,4,7

4th – Contenders Only (C) – In last, Perf (3) was checked for racing room on the backstretch, was bumped hard in the stretch and then was forced to the outside by that one before getting going late, but could not get up in time. Bennett moves the 3YO up in class and Allen sticks. Bullet work four days ago. Boo Bear (2) goes for Philip Oliver and he had three Layoff winners with MSWs in L2T. Adds L1 and Carlos Cruz. Win (3), Saver Exactas 2,7,12/3 and Trifectas 3,7,12/2,4,5/3,7,12

5th – Contenders Only (D) – Warm Memories (10) was close in three of last six at the route and comes back to Tampa where he was ITM last time out. Centeno has the call. Alonzo is 50% win and place this season at Tampa and must be respected. Win (10), Saver Exactas 1,7/10 and Trifectas 7,10/1,9/1,7,9,10

6th – Contenders Only (B) – Jackies Causeway (2) has four seconds in last five races and was above par in all of them. O’Connell goes to Allen in absence of RoHo. Win (2), Saver Exactas 1,9/2 and Trifectas 2/All/1,9

7th – Contenders Only (A) – Sweet Yulianna (1) was a solid 2nd in Sophomore Stakes three weeks ago and drops for Ziadie who wins 29% (71%ITM) on the dropdown. Switches to hot apprentice Mike Straight. Win (1), Saver Exactas 3,4/1 and Trifectas 1/5,7/3,4,5,7

8th – Contenders Only (C) – High on Candy (9) improves with each start and had the best final fraction in last. Velez sticks for Cibelli. Rare Ransom (5) had sub-12 final fraction two back, then was well placed and gave way in last. Tax and Spend (7) failed to gain after being taken up in last and that one went in fast fractions throughout. Win (9), Saver Exactas 5,7/9 and Trifectas 9/1,2,3,4/5,7

9th – Contenders Only (B) – Finally Remembered (4) comes back to the dirt where she had impressive debut. Figures to improve here for Cataldi, and Martinez has the return call. Eventful Halo (9) had three seconds in last three and is the main threat here. Win (4), Saver Exacta 9/4 and Trifectas 4,9/1,2,7/4,9

10th – Contenders Only (C) – Lady Rizzi (5) is a classy mare that likes to run with the boys. Finds a softer spot today after being soundly beaten in Turf Dash last month. Should put these away. Rockhurst (6) goes for Mike Dini and he had four Layoff + Shipper winners in L3T. Win (5), Saver Exactas 1,7/5 and Trifectas 5,6/1,7/1,5,6,7

11th – Contenders Only (B) – Lakeside Run (9) made a solid late run in last on the grass and goes for Delacour who has had an awesome season and has been successful with the Turf-to-Dirt + Dropdown this year. Cotto sticks. Win (9), Saver Exactas 1,6,7/9 and Trifectas 9/1,7/1,6,7

Good luck and good racing!

Johnny B.