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TAMPA BAY DOWNS NOTEBOOK FEBRUARY 5, 2013 by Bob Bauer This past Saturday was a milestone in the history of Tampa Bay Downs, the little track that can. For the first time, the Oldsmar, Florida, oval presented a trio of graded stakes with purses totaling $550,000. It certainly seems much longer ago than 1992 when the Tampa Bay Derby was demoted from a Grade 3 to a Listed event, leaving the Downs with no graded stakes. The track had always done well over the decades, earning a reputation for carding mostly lower-priced claiming events that had large fields and provided hefty payoffs. The management was not content to rest on its laurels and the racing program and the facility itself have been on a constant upgrade since that dark time over 20 years past. The most notable improvement was the installation of the turf course in 1997, which paved the way for better overall racing, and the program at Tampa Bay Downs continues to evolve and improve. This season, there are 26 stakes scheduled, including a half-dozen graded stakes with purses totaling $1.2 million. Top jockeys, owners, trainers and horses from around the country are now seen on stakes days. Racing conditions were fast and firm all week long, the rail on the turf course was set at 12 feet on Wednesday and Thursday, and at zero for the remaining days. Both tracks continue to play fairly and yielded fast times on Saturday. Shippers are still going well here. Invaders scored 15 times in 48 races (31 percent) including all of the graded stakes events last Saturday The rate of winning favorites this past week was 42 percent (20-for-48). Chalk players had a great day on Saturday taking five of the dozen contests. This Saturday's feature is the $50,000 Manatee Stakes for older fillies and mares going seven panels. HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (1/30) 7TH -- IS IT TEE (Is It True), a seven-year-old mare, woke up in her second lifetime start on the weeds. Sent of at odds of 36-1, she showed no interest early and was last at the half-mile call. She then moved widest out of the turn and closed stoutly on the outside to miss by a neck. Could surprise a field of $16,000 claimers. Thursday (1/31) 5TH -- MELROSE WOODS (Broken Vow) was steadied early and was no factor in her first start after a 291-day hiatus. This four-year-old filly from the Leigh Delacour outfit, was made the post-time favorite on the basis of her efforts last year (3-1-1-1) and a good series of local workouts (nine since November). Expect improvement soon. 8TH -- MERGING (Flower Alley), a first timer trained by Graham Motion, was bet down to 5-2 with sophomore maiden special weight turf runners. He broke slow and raced greenly under Daniel Centeno, finishing last. This one is bred for the grass and has been training well. Could graduate this season. Friday (2/1) 7TH -- BEVERLY'S CHARM (More Than Ready) got the show dough after an eventful trip that began when the four-year-old filly was forced to check as a rival ducked in leaving the chute. She showed some run after six furlongs and rallied late on the outside. Fits with $25,000 maiden claimers on the lawn. 9TH -- SIMPLY SPECTACULAR (Bernstein) showed promise on the sod in her debut with Ron Allen Jr. in the irons. The Curtis Garrison trainee ran a good second at 19-1 despite being a little bit green around the starting gate. She has good late foot and closed fast six wide out of the turn after being last at the first call. Could be a runner and a little seasoning should move this filly to the winner's circle. Saturday (2/2) 5TH -- FIFTH DISTRICT (Sweetsouthernsaint) has a trio of fourth place finishes on the local lawn under Daniel Coa. In his latest outing, the veteran gelding was slow early and made up ground in the stretch drive. Fits with $16,000 claimers and should be a square price. The longer the better. 7TH -- CINDY'S CASINO (Strong Contender) had a ton of bad luck in her attempt on the turf in the Grade 3 Florida Oaks. The sophomore filly from the William Downing barn was taken up twice in the early going and then had her saddle slip, losing all chance. This one was a good second locally in the Gasparilla Stakes and should not be ignored when back on the dirt. 10TH -- GARGAMELLOW (Gimmeawink) lacked room in his first lifetime race versus $25,000 maiden claimers going six furlongs. He was gaining ground once clear, finishing a decent fourth, and comes from the stable of Reid Nagle who is quietly having a good start at the Downs. (two winners from nine starters, 22 percent) Sunday (2/3) 2ND -- CELTICS STRIDE (Irish Road), a well-backed Miami shipper, was steadied along the inside entering the stretch, altered course five wide and closed to get the show. This lightly raced three-year-old has shown potential sprinting and could be a threat with maiden special weight runners. 3RD -- SAPPHIRE COUNTY (Gibson County), from the powerful Jamie Ness barn, was forced to steady behind a swerving rival and fanned wide out of the turn and was slowly gaining on the top two finishers. This four-year-old has scored at Tampa in the past and it would be no surprise to see him in the winner's circle again soon.
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