RACE 1
1 – REAL FAST MUSIC (5/2) – Kathleen O’Connell is having a very nice meet (26%) and has this 4yo son of Corfu turning back to 6 furlongs after a game 2nd place finish where he chased a hot pace. Gallardo’s choice over the 10. Logical.
8 – CIRCLE OF LIGHT (4/1) – Another who failed as the favorite last time, but he and Real Fast Music have been competitive against better. 3rd off a layoff and in for new connections. Should get a stalking trip.
10 – WAR PIPE (4/1) – Will face nw3 and an extra half furlong in 2nd start here at Tampa. Has enough speed from an outside post to get position against this field.
1 – 8 – 10 – 2
RACE 2
($) 5 – PEMAQUID PETE (12/1) – This race has the look of a longshot. Hopefully I have the right one in my top 2. 3yo son of Field Commission stretched his speed farther than ever after Lasix was added. He’s been given time off and drops from maiden specials for competent connections (21%).
3 – BIBLIOTECARIO (20/1) – Drops into dirt sprint after racing wide while forwardly placed. Well-bred son of Hard Spun should be dead fit for this.
4 – PETTINBERG (2/1) – Failed as the favorite in his last 2 and will be favored again today with Camacho. Ran what I thought were just ‘o.k.’ races, both at this level. Adds blinkers to keep focused. Will use defensively only in my multi’s and exotics.
5 – 3 – 4 – 1
RACE 3
9 – SEVENTYSEVENWILOW (4/1) – Ran a game 2nd last time and looks to improve on that effort 3rd off the layoff. 10-13 in the money at the distance. Gallardo gets the call as barn looks for 1st win of the meet.
10 – DROP THE GLOVES (8/1) – Projects to be the early speed and could carry it a long way as there’s not many who can match his fractions. Should be ready to go in his 3rd start off the layoff.
7 – HALF TON OF FUN (5/1) – The turn back to 7 furlongs may work perfectly for a horse who’s been up near the pace in his route races. 2nd or 3rd in each of his last five. In with a look.
9 – 10 – 7 – 12
RACE 4
($) 10 – EONS (8/1) – I like the race that my top 3 choices came out of so I’m going with the horse that had the most trouble. Eons was full of run but had to be checked along the rail. The son of Giant’s Causeway should offer value as the more than capable Pedro Cotto rides for Delacour.
1 – CRYPTO GOLD (3/1) – Son of Medaglia d’Oro ran well in his debut for Clement. Got a perfect ground saving journey, though, and was without excuse.
7 – TRAVEL AGENT (10/1) – Would argue with the comment that he “tired” in debut. In traffic throughout and wide coming for home, he galloped out just fine and could surprise here. Recommend going a deep in your multi race wagers.
10 – 1 – 7 – 3 – 11
RACE 5
3 – BOOM POW POW (10/1) – 4yo filly by Midnight Lute shortens up in her 3rd start off the layoff. Ran well last time as they were crawling upfront. She should get an honest pace today to close into and is Villa-Gomez’ choice over the 9.
12 – AVENTINE HILL (3/1) – Always in the hunt, this daughter of Doneraile Court (Seattle Slew) just missed last time. In her 3rd start off the layoff she figures to run well again. She’ll have the entire backstretch to establish position, so I’m not too concerned with the post.
2 – CHASITY (4/1) – Expect her to be on or near the lead. David Fisher is winning at 25% and she will have every chance to wire this group if good enough.
3 – 12 – 2 – 9
RACE 6
7 – FEED ME CARATS (5/2) – Makes her Tampa debut for the red-hot Baxter barn (47%). She looks to be the class in here but is by no means a lock.
1 – OUTRANK (8/1) – 4yo Colonel John filly makes her 2nd start after a layoff and drops to her lowest level. She has 3 wins and 3 2nds in 7 starts over the Tampa turf. Has been working o.k. but I want to see her in the paddock.
8 – SPEEDING STARLET (9/2) – By Pioneerof the Nile out of a Charismatic mare, this gal always competes. She finished a solid 2nd at the level going longer last time and figures to be right there again today.
7 – 1 – 8 – 9
RACE 7
6 – IMPERIAL HINT (2/5) – G1 winner lays over these. 3-3 at Tampa. Take the free square and move on.
5 – KILLYBEGS CAPTAIN (12/1) – In the battle for place, I’ll take Camacho and the price. Beat a decent group here back in December going 7 furlongs and has been working well since.
3 – TRICKS TO DO (5/1) – Comes off a pair of solid turf sprints and should be primed in his 3rd start off a layoff. If you feel the favorite is vulnerable, this is your most likely upset candidate.
6 – 5 – 3
RACE 8
8 – CHIARA LUNA (7/2) – Narrow choice in what could be the most wide-open race on the card. Had to go extremely wide last time and just missed at this level. Royally bred daughter of War Front faced G1 competition overseas under Dermot Weld. Now in the care of Clement who is having a stellar meet at Tampa (30%). Camacho rides back.
3 – PHANTOM OPENING (5/1) – Another who meets easier today. When last scene, this daughter of Arch ran a strong 2nd at CD over a demanding turf course. She should be rolling late.
7 – TAPERGE (3/1) – 2nd off a very long layoff and the expectation is that she moves forward off that comeback effort. Former Chad Brown runner is now in the capable hands of Graham Motion.
8 – 3 – 7 – 4 – 10 – 1
RACE 9
8 – SILVER BAY (10/1) – A salty group to contest The Minaret. A number of ways you could go, but I loved the effort last time in the Ocala Sires Stakes by this daughter of Currency Swap. You’re getting a price because Camacho opted for the talented Abounding Joy.
3 – ABOUNDING JOY (4/1) – Daughter of Quality Road is loaded with talent but comes off a lengthy break and her works are very average. She may need one.
5 – SOUPER ECHO (5/1) – Her last 2 were very good efforts from off the pace against a strong speed bias at Lrl. Daughter of Macho Uno adds blinkers for this.
8 – 3 – 5 – 2 – 1 – 4
RACE 10
*6 – STRIKE AT DAWN (5/2) – Chad Brown runner returns off solid turf debut and looks very logical in this spot. Strong works leading up to this start and maybe Gallardo will let this son of Declaration of War run early.
4 – MADDING CROWD (4/1) – Son of Giant’s Causeway should find this group a little easier than the ones he’s been chasing. Look for a sharper effort 2nd off the layoff.
5 – TULA (6/1) – On the board in all 4 of her starts and another who could move forward 2nd off a layoff.
6 – 4 – 5 – 11 – 2
RACE 11
($) 8 – JOYFUL NIGHT (5/1) – 4yo daughter of Midnight Lute makes her debut for trainer Chris Block off a series of strong 5 furlong works. Appears she’s over any issues that delayed her career and it’s possible she could outsprint a very average special weight group.
3 – PAIGELY (12/1) – Encouraged by her latest, this well-bred daughter of Blame out of a Street Cry mare is now in the hands of David Fisher. Don’t be surprised if she comes up big at a price.
7 – HEATHER HILLS (5/2) – Ran a solid 2nd to an odds on choice last time but is yet to put back to back efforts together. An underlay I’m willing to take a shot against.
8 – 3 – 7 – 10 – 4
*Best Bet
$ Value Play
Early Pick 4 – Race 3) 2.7.9.10.12 / 1.3.7.10.11 / 2.3.12 / 1.7
Late Pick 5 – Race 7) 6 / 1.3.4.7.8.10 / 1.2.3.4.5.8 / 4.5.6 / 3.7.8