All selections made for FAST and FIRM.)
RACE 1
3 – GUSTY WIND (7/2) – Broke his maiden for $10k at GP from off the pace. Had a very wide trip last time while still running on. Goes 2nd time for Kathleen O’Connell and stretches back out. Gallardo returns in a challenging opener at Tampa.
5 – DON’S BEACH (7/2) – Could very well be the lone speed in an otherwise pace-less race. For that reason alone, you have to include him in your Pick 5’s. I recommend the ‘All’ button in the 1st leg.
6 – SKIPPER DANCE (5/2) – Ran gamely last time and is a logical favorite. Has failed to show the necessary finishing punch that’s required at Tampa. In a wide-open race, I would try to beat this favorite while using him defensively in your multi race wagers.
3 – 5 – 6 – 1
RACE 2
3 – COLORINCOLONEL (7/2) – Finished well at this level last time as the beaten choice. A lot of question marks in this field. Only 2 – 47 but has been given 3 weeks from her latest and Camacho returns.
4 – SCOTTISH SKY (3/1) – Failed as the favorite at this level last time and makes a quick turnaround for this. In all fairness, that start came off a layoff so there’s reason to believe this daughter of Sky Mesa can move forward off the effort.
2 – BLACKWYNN (15/1) – 2nd start after the layoff and shows a recent work. 3yo filly by Stephen Got Even is likely to take a step forward here and could surprise at a nice price. Depending on the size of your budget, this is another race to go deep when playing exotics.
3 – 4 – 2 – 8
RACE 3
3 – PATRIOTIC ENDEAVOR (9/2) – Got a wide trip last time which was her first start since October. Draws better today and we’re looking for her to show some punch down the lane.
6 – GINGERMORE (7/2) – The only other gal with good late pace numbers. The race projects to be contested early, so she’s a logical choice. Last time she got a ground saving trip from the rail, but the draw puts her outside of the 3 this time and that could make all the difference.
5 – ROCKAROUNDTHEDOCK (2/1) – She certainly fits with these but it does appear she’ll have company on the front end which makes her vulnerable late.
3 – 6 – 5 – 2
RACE 4
8 – LODESTAR (4/1) – Earned a very nice number in his debut at CD. Now in the barn of Ben Colebrook, the son of Malibu Moon has been given time off and the works have been good. Turf should be no problem…we’ll see if he gets the distance.
7 – EXECUTIVE BONUS (5/2) – Has shown nice late pace numbers in both starts and just missed last time going a route of ground for the first time back in November. Working well since and figures to run well again.
5 – GLOBAL NATION (7/2) – This son of Gio Ponti should move forward 2nd time going a distance of ground. Centeno opts off but the red-hot Camacho gets the call. Leave off your tickets at your own risk!
8 – 7 – 5 – 4
RACE 5
7 – I AM TOO WILD (2/1) – Midwest invader has plenty of speed and his numbers are improving nicely. Fired a bullet here at Tampa for this. Ferrer who’s off to a cold start gets the call.
4 – BODE JACK (4/1) – Makes his return following a very nice debut almost a year ago. The son of Bodemeister out of a Stevie Wonderboy mare adds blinkers and drops in class off a so-so work tab. One to keep an eye on in the paddock.
5 – I’M A CATMAN (7/2) – On the turn back, this guy is capable of running down the speed late. 3rd start off the layoff.
7 – 4 – 5 – 8
RACE 6
10 – ROYAL ARTILLERY (4/1) – $450k purchase finished nicely in stateside debut over the Tampa turf. The son of War Front out of a Dynaformer mare should outclass these.
4 – GUCCI FACTOR (5/2) – NY bred returns after a layoff for Clement. Lightly raced closer should be a factor down the lane, but not sold that he’s fully cranked up for this allowance event.
1 – MUGGSAMATIC (9/2) – Rare that you see a horse who breaks through the gate run a good race. That’s exactly what happened with this 4yo son of Any Given Saturday. Late running style should play well here. Took the Sophomore Turf here last April. Gallardo rides back for O’Connell.
10 – 4 – 1 – 6
RACE 7
6 – VIVE LE ROI (6/1) – In after a layoff with a solid line of works for new connections. Broke his maiden impressively here at 7 furlongs before moving well up in class and stretching out. Versatile enough to race on the lead or come from off the pace. Would’ve liked a better choice of pilots.
3 – FLAT ZAPPER (5/2) – Broke his maiden here impressively and is well spotted for this. Would like to have seen a published work or 2 though.
4 – MULLED WINE (10/1) – Comes in fresh for new barn with decent works. Was competitive at the lowest level over at PID posting solid and even pace figures. If those numbers translate, he could get a nice stalking trip and out finish these late at a solid price.
6 – 3 – 4 – 5
RACE 8
6 – DECORATED ACE (5/2) – Winner of the Sorority at Mth and a fast closing 2nd last time in the Juvenile Filly Turf at GPW (both at 1 mile). Still eligible for the allowance condition and appears to hold a major class advantage in this spot. A pair of solid works and Camacho returns to add to the confidence. One of the few possible singles on the card.
2 – BEAUTIFY (5/1) – Godolphin runner won for fun in breaking her maiden in an off the turf event. The number came back strong and a win here would truly be no surprise.
5 – SURPRISE AGAIN (7/2) – Daughter of Noble Mission broke her maiden with a well-timed rail rally over the Tampa turf. Clement is hot and everything he has here seems to be live.
6 – 2 – 5 – 9
RACE 9
3 – INVASORS WIND (20/1) – Toss his last 2 as he was in way too deep. 3 back you’ll see a winning effort for $12500 at GPW at a mile over a tiring surface. On the class drop and at a big price in a wide-open race!
1 – BELTWAY (9/2) – Won over a distance of ground for $20k at Kee earlier this year, then followed that with an allowance win at Del. After a few dull efforts, this son of Bellamy Road returned to form when dropped to $6250 last time. Claimed off that effort and the class hike is still less than half of what he’s proven at. Rini very good first off the claim. Camacho to boot.
9 – GENERAL MACARTHUR (8/1) – Has been freshened and the works are sharp. Should fit in nicely with these and figures to be pressing the pace throughout.
3 – 1 – 9 – 7
RACE 10
1 – JAPONSKI (3/1) – Many of these faced each other last time and this guy got the worst of the draw yet was only beaten a length. Draws the rail here and gets the call in the finale.
3 – POLLOCK (5/1) – Should be able to handle the small step up in class as his numbers suggest.
4 – THULEAN (5/2) – Unable to hold on from the rail last time as the favorite, but he rates another chance against much of the same.
1 – 3 – 4 – 8
BEST OF LUCK!
@LIGHTNINGJAY_