It's Derby Time in Tampa

On this Stakes Saturday we take in another fine prep for that first Saturday in May.

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

A fine crop of ten will battle for Derby points in this terrific graded stakes race. There is enough speed to insure an honest pace. Speed figs are fairly close. All have been nominated to the Triple Crown, but only six have raced over the Tampa dirt. It should be a sensational race as we get closer to KD 143.

#5 Tapwrit (J. Ortiz / Pletcher) looks to have the edge with the highest last out speed number, a four race progression, and two sound workouts. This guy should be tracking a speedy pace and launch smoothly into the stretch. A son of Tapit, he also holds the highest speed number at the distance.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#4 No Dozing (Centeno / Delacour) should challenge with a couple of decent last out speed numbers and two quality workouts. He is another tracking that should strike heading into the stretch. A son of Union Rags, he has raced over the Tampa dirt and looks to improve.

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#8 State of Honor (Leparoux / Casse) should contend with the second highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and two hearty workouts. This guy appears to like the Tampa dirt finishing in the money in his only start over it. A son of To Honor and Serve, he could be a part of the pace action on the front end.

$1 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#3 Basha (Jaramillo / Zerpa) should be in the hunt with a couple of good last out speed numbers with in the money performances. He is working a three race progression and has put in two strengthening workouts. A son of Uncle Mo, he should take a close-up tracking position.

#9 Wild Shot (Albarado / Arnold) enjoys this distance and should be forwardly placed battling for position. He holds the third highest last out speed number, a five race progression, and two robust workouts. A son of Trappe Shot, he has already raced over the Tampa dirt.

#6 Beasley (I. Ortiz / Hennig) looks to take another step forward with the fourth highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and three powerful workouts. This son of Shakleford will be racing over the Tampa dirt for the first time while being forwardly placed.

10 CENT Superfecta

#5 Tapwrit  /  #4 No Dozing  /  #8 State of Honor  /  #3 Basha, #9 Wild Shot, #6 Beasley.

Furlong Friday Results

Santa Anita Park R5.  Wishing Well Stakes.  Our pick, Miss Double d'Oro, finished 3rd for show money of $3.20.

Superfecta went 3-5-4-7.

Bankroll gets a little lift to $79.87.

Furlong Friday in the Santa Anita Sun

Thank goodness it is Furlong Friday. We venture downhill for a sweet Turf Stakes race.

Santa Anita Park Race 5 {Wishing Well Stakes~6 1/2 Furlongs~Downhill TURF~4 year-old Up~Fillies/Mares~Stakes}

A talented field of seven will race downhill in this annual Stakes race. There is enough speed to maintain a rapid pace. Speed numbers are fairly close for most in this one. It should be a barn burner of a race.

#4 Miss Double d'Oro (Gonzalez / Drysdale) might benefit from the swift pace with her tracking and closing running style. She holds the second highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and three stamina producing workouts. This gal has a surperb chance of passing the field in the stretch.

$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#5 Prize Exhibit [GB] (Smith / Cassidy) is coming off a brief freshening and looks to make another nice move forward. She holds the third highest last out speed number at a route and two hearty workouts. She is another that will track and go into a frothy pace.

#3 Illuminant (Prat / McCarthy) is the class of the field coming off an extended layoff. She may need a race, but she does hold the highest last out speed number, prior to the layoff. This gal was working a four race progression and has put in three tremendous workouts in anticipation for this event.

#2 Kera Kera (S. Stevens / Stevens) is coming over from Turf Paradise to test the Santa Anita Turf. She has a couple of good last out speed numbers where she had in the money performances. This lady holds an eight race progression and has put in a solid workout in preparation.

10 CENT Superfecta

#4 Miss Double d'Oro  /  #5 Prize Exhibit [GB]  /  #3 Illuminant  /  #2 Kera Kera.

Thursday Results

Turfway Park R8.  Allowance.  Our pick, Love the Power [FR] finished 6th.

Superfecta went 6-8-7-5.

Bankroll gets blistered, dropping to $78.77.

Back to Santa Anita for Superfecta Sunday

Superfecta Sunday rides up on us yet again. Today we look at an interesting down hill Turf contest at beautiful Santa Anita.

Santa Anita Park Race 8 {Wishing Well Stakes~6 1/2 furlongs~downhill TURF~4 year old Up~fillies/mares~Stakes}
A fabulous group of nine gals will go to the grass in this feature stakes race. There is enough speed to keep an honest pace. The speed numbers look remarkably close which gives any of these gals to regale in the winners circle. Our task is to knit together a winning 10 CENT Superfecta box ticket.

#5 Fanticola (M. Garcia / D'Amato) may have the edge with the second highest (3-way tie) last out speed number at a mile route, a two race progression, and three superb workouts. This gal enjoys the distance and the course with a 100% in the money record for both. She is our Bronze Horseshoe runner.
$2 SHOW.

#9 Birdlover [GB] (Trujillo / O'Neill) should challenge despite coming off an one year layoff. Prior to the extended layoff she was working a five race progression and shared that second highest last out speed number. This gal has put in two solid workouts in preparation. As another lover of the course and the distance, she was last seen placing second in a similar downhill Turf event.

#3 Sky Treasure (Nakatani / Casse) should contend with the highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and two fine workouts. This gal also holds the highest speed number at the distance. She should be tracking the pace readying for the stretch run.

#1 Indecise (Prat / Mandella) should be in the mix after a lengthy one year layoff. Prior to the layoff she also posted the second highest last out speed number.  She was working a two race progression and has put in the sincerest workout tab of four works that included a couple of bullets.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#5 Fanticola  +  #9 Birdlover [GB]  +  #3 Sky Treasure  +  #1 Indecise.



Stakes Saturday Results
Santa Anita R7.  San Marcos--G2.  Our first pick, Patrioticandproud, finished 7th. Our second pick, Power Ped, finished 2nd (after a DQ of #6 Diamond Bachelor) for show money of $5.60. Please note that all progeny of Powerscourt [GB} made up the Trifecta. Fascinating!!
Superfecta went 1-6-4-9.
Bankroll gets shaved a bit to $20.50.