Stakes Saturday in Tampa Bay

 Another Derby Prep is on tap for this Stakes Saturday as we look in on a full field down in Tampa.

Tampa Bay Downs Race 11 {Tampa Bay Derby~G2~1 1/16 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A nice full field of twelve will go to the gate in search of Kentucky Derby points.

Past Performances used:  DRF Formulator.

There is plenty of speed to put some steam on the pace. Speed numbers are fairly close allowing any of these lads to take a major step forward toward victory. Only five have raced over the Tampa Bay surface. All have trained well coming into this race. It should be a tremendous race. Eight have been nominated to the Triple Crown.

#3 Candy Man Rocket (Jr. Alvarado / Mott) could have the edge with the highest last out speed number and two terrific workouts. This guy already has notched a win over the Tampa dirt. He will be seeking his third win in a row. Look for him to be forwardly placed in a strategic position. A son of Candy Ride [ARG], he is 66% in the money from three career starts.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#8 Hidden Stash (Bejarano / Oliver) should challenge with the second highest last out speed number and three superb peaking workouts. This fella has hit the board in all three of his starts at this distance. Look for him to take advantage of a fast pace with his tracking capability. A son of Constitution, he is 80% in the money from five career starts.

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#2 Super Strong (Gallardo / Joseph) should contend with a first place finish last out and four dynamite workouts. He will be stretching out to this distance and will be running over the Tampa Bay surface for the first time. This son of Kentucky Derby winner, Super Saver, will be making his second career start. It is likely he will track the pace and strike.

$2 SHOW.

#11 Promise Keeper (L. Saez / Pletcher) should take another step forward with the third highest last out speed number and two sound workouts. Look for him to be forwardly placed in the mix from the opening bell. He will be making his third start of the form cycle. Another son of Constitution, he is 50% in the money from two career starts.

$1 SHOW.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#3 Candy Man Rocket  //  #8 Hidden Stash,  #2 Super Strong,  #11 Promise Keeper.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#3 Candy Man Rocket  +  #8 Hidden Stash  +  #2 Super Strong  +  #11 Promise Keeper.

Previous Stakes Saturday (2/20) Results

Santa Anita Park R7.  Buena Vista--G2.  Our first pick, Going to Vegas, finished 4th.  Our second pick, Mucho Unusual, finished 2nd for place money of $4.20 and show money of $4.50.  Our third pick, Red Lark [IRE], finished 5th.

We failed in our Exacta Wheel play.  Superfecta went 8-2-3-7.

Bankroll drops like a rock to settle at $83.93.

Stakes Saturday on West Coast Turf

 Off we go in search of a great Turf race and find one in Southern California for our Stakes Saturday.

Santa Anita Park Race 7 {Buena Vista~G2~1 mile~TURF~4 year-old Up~Fillies/Mares~Graded Stakes}

A very talented field of ten will go to the green in this annual affair.

Past Performances used:  TimeFormUS.

A few forwardly placed types and four stretching out from a sprint in their last should keep this pace swift. Speed numbers are all very close making it competitive as well. Any of these gals could strike in the stretch to exact the victory. This should be one of the best races on the day.

#7 Going to Vegas (M. Gutierrez / Baltas) might have the edge with the fourth highest last out speed number at a much longer route and three dynamite workouts. She loves the Turf, distance and course notching over an 80% in the money performances at each. This daughter of Goldencents should track the pace closely and spring into the stretch.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#2 Mucho Unusual (Cedillo / Yakteen) should challenge with the third highest last out speed number and three durable workouts. She is another that will track the pace closely and find position to make her run in the stretch. This gal will be seeking her third win in a row. A daughter of Mucho Macho Man, she is 73% in the money from nineteen career starts.

$2 PLACE  /.  $3 SHOW.

#5 Red Lark [IRE] (Van Dyke / Gallagher) will contend with the second highest last out speed number at a longer route and three strong peaking workouts. She should get some pace to run into. This daughter of Epaulette [AUS], has improved in each of her last three races.

$2 SHOW.

#8 Chamaine's Mia (Prat / D'Amato) is the morning line favorite with the highest last out speed number and four exceptional workouts which include a couple of bullets. She should be tracking the pace ready to strike. This gal has improved stoutly in each of her last three races. A daughter of The Factor, she has a victory over this course in her last.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#7 Going to Vegas  //  #2 Mucho Unusual,  #5 Red Lark (IRE],  #8 Charmaine's Mia.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#7 Going to Vegas  +  #2 Mucho Unusual  +  #5 Red Lark [IRE]  +  #8 Charmaine's Mia.

Last Stakes Saturday (2/23) Results

Fair Grounds R13.  Risen Star--G2.  Our first pick, Proxy, finished 2nd for place money of $5.20 and show money of $5.40.  Our second pick, Midnight Bourbon, finished 3rd for show money of $3.80.  Our third pick, Mandaloun, won (1st) for show money of $3.00.  Our fourth pick, Starrininmydreams, finished off the board.

We did not grab the Exacta. Superfecta went 11-2-6-7.

Bankroll remains unchanged at $97.63.

  

Superfecta Sunday in the Great Southwest

On this Superfecta Sunday we take a look at a fine Stakes race in New Mexico.

Sunland Park Race 9 {Mine That Bird Derby~1 1/16 mile~3 year-olds~Stakes}

A good field of nine will shuffle away from the gates in this annual race named after 2009 Kentucky Derby winner, Mine That Bird. There is speed, which should produce a fast pace. Speed numbers are fairly close with a couple high and low outliers. Our task is to cobble together a winning 10 CENT Superfecta box ticket. It should be a splendid race under the shadow of a setting New Mexico sun.

#8 Wicked Indeed (Contreras / Asmussen) should be the favorite exiting the Grade three Le Compt at Fair Grounds. He holds the highest last out speed number and has put in four dynamic peaking workouts. This Triple Crown nominee is one of only two that have gone this distance. A son of Tapit, he is 66% in the money from three starts. Our Bronze Horseshoe selection.
$2 SHOW.

#5 Hustle Up (Laviolette / Fincher) may well be the speed of the speed. He has already notched seven wins from nine starts. This guy holds the third highest last out speed number and two hearty peaking workouts. A son of Abstraction, he is three for three on his home track.

#7 One Flew South (Figueroa / O'Neill) should contend in his second career start as he gets to more favorable footing on the dirt. He holds the second highest (tie) last out speed number which he secured winning his Maiden over polytrack at Turfway Park. This son of Giant's Causeway should show speed.

#3 Walker Stalker (Medellin / J. Gonzalez) could be in the mix after a couple of good last time out efforts and two strengthening workouts. This guy has hit the board at Sunland in his two career starts and going into his third start of the form cycle he is sure to improve. A son of Stroll, he is a Triple Crown nominee.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#8 Wicked Indeed  +  #5 Hustle Up  +  #7 One Flew South  +  #3 Walker Stalker.




Stakes Saturday Results
Santa Anita Park R8.  Buena Vista--G2.  Our first pick, Vasilika, won (1st) for win money of $3.60.  Our second pick, Fahan Mura, finsihed 9th (last).  Our third pick, Elysea's World [IRE], finished 6th.
Superfecta went 9-10-2-1.
Bankroll takes a tumble to $58.31.

A Little Santa Anita Turf on Stakes Saturday

Back in action on the TURF after a brief respite. We take a look at a quality graded Turf race at the "Great Race Place"

Santa Anita Park Race 8 {Buena Vista~G2~1 mile~TURF~4 year-old Up~Fillies/Mares~Graded Stakes}

A high quality field of nine will step onto the grass in this annual Turf feature. There is plenty of speed to maintain a swift pace. Speed numbers are very close for these ladies. It should be an exceptional race to wager and watch.

#9 Vasilika (Prat / Hollendorfer) should go off as the deserved favorite with the highest last out speed number, the highest speed number at the mile distance, and three endurance building workouts. She is certainly the one to beat. This daughter of Skipshot, is 72% in the money from twenty-nine starts.
$2 WIN.

#4 Fahan Mura (Maldonado / Cerin) should challenge with the second highest speed number at the distance and two strong workouts. This gal will show speed from the opening gate and could dictate the pace. A daughter of English Channel, she excels at the course and distance.
$2 PLACE  / $3 SHOW.

#8 Elysea's World [IRE] (Rosario / Baltas) is coming into this race off a layoff, but has worked diligently securing three dynamic peaking workouts for her return. Should there be a frothy pace she should benefit greatly. This daughter of Champs Elyssees [IRE], has hit the board 63% of the time from twenty-two starts.
$2 SHOW.

#5 Compelled (Talamo / Proctor) should contend with the third highest speed number at the distance and five superb workouts. This gal loves the turf, distance, and course. She should be tracking the pace looking to strike in the stretch. A daughter of War Front, should continue to improve.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#9 Vasilika  +  #4 Fahan Mura  +  #8 Elysea's World [IRE]  +  #5 Compelled.




Our Last Superfecta Sunday (2-3-19) Results
Gulfstream Park R11.  Sweetest Chant--G3. We were off on our 10 CENT Superfecta box effort securing only two of the four required to score. Superfecta went 7-6-1-5.
Our Bronze Horseshoe runner, A Bit Special [GB], won (1st) for show money of $2.60.
Bankroll falters to $67.11.