Tampa Bay Downs Notebook

TAMPA BAY DOWNS NOTEBOOK

JANUARY 8, 2013 

by Bob Bauer

Racing weather conditions in the opening week of the new year began the way

they were at the end of the last, unsettled with scattered storms. Wednesday was

a lovely day with fast and firm conditions. Both tracks played fairly -- the

dirt was good for speed types, but closers were able to win twice sprinting.

Main track routes were taken by close-up runners who took over by the

three-quarter mile call. One of the pair of grass contests went to an

early/presser who was never more than two lengths back. In the other, a closer

got up in the stretch after rallying from a furlong out.

Just under one-half an inch of rain arrived on Thursday, leaving Friday's

program on the "good" dirt and numerous scratches caused by the closing of the

turf course. The drying main track played evenly, with a mixed bag of runners

getting to the winner's circle. Speed is still a key element, as it has been at

Tampa this young season. In sprints and routes, the ability of a runner to

attend the pace and move on the turn is what wins. That doesn't always mean

backing the one who will be leading at the first call. The only races won

gate-to-wire were routes. Closers won a pair of sprints, and early/pressers who

can run late took the rest. It appeared that the track was good for early speed,

especially in routes. All five winners were no more than three lengths back at

the first call.

Saturday was clear with the dirt fast and grass good.  Once again, early

speed to get the lead or position near the pace was essential for success. The

lone exception was this year's edition of the $75,000 Turf Dash Stakes. The

repeat winner, GREAT ATTACK (Greatness), a confirmed closer, rallied five wide

through the final furlong to register a 1 3/4-length victory. He is a horse for

the course, with two victories and a second by a neck in three trips. The good

turf course seemed plenty fast -- they went in splits of :21 1/5, :44 1/5 and

the winner completed five furlongs in :56.

Sunday's conditions were a copy of Saturday and both tracks played in a

manner similar to the preceding two days.  Runners who were prominent in the

BRIS Prime Power ratings did well.

In the season's preview it was mentioned that each winter a new horseman (or

woman) comes to the Downs a finds success in their first season. This year we

have a pair of Miami trainers who have made themselves noticed in Tampa.

Jason DeCosta has seven winners from only 16 starters, scoring at an

outstanding 44 percent. Antonio Sano also is off to a solid start, going

eight-for-40, a 20 percent clip. Both of these conditioners should be considered

dangerous with Miami shippers, even if the horse's form appears dull in the past

performances.

Wednesday (1/2)

6TH -- OPTIONALITY (More Than Ready) was steadied at the start in his first

race in 13 months. This lightly raced four-year-old gelding recovered and moved

inside near the top of the stretch and was gaining late. He may be ready to

graduate soon for veteran horseman Tom Proctor.

9TH -- TEN SWEET KISSES (Lemon Drop Kid) wasn't on her best behavior in her

debut for the powerful Jamie Ness barn. The brown filly was reluctant to load

and showed no speed early. She was blocked on the far turn, but closed late

while in traffic. She was bet down to 4-1 and improvement would be no surprise.

Friday (1/4)

6TH -- WESTBOUND TRAIN (Western Pride), a speedy four-year-old gelding, has

had a pair of tough trips over the Tampa track. He was overmatched in his

seasonal debut in the Pelican Stakes and then dropped to a $32,000 allowance for

non-winners of three. In this 6 1/2-furlong event, he was third at the first

call and pressing the pace when shuffled back on the turn as a rival steadied.

This one has scored here before and could surprise.

Saturday (1/5)

10TH -- CALEB'S A SURVIVOR (Stonesider) worked his way up from 10th at the

break, made a three-wide move and was gaining late on the outside to get the

show dough in a six-furlong, $25,000 maiden claimer. This was his first lifetime

start and he should be a threat with against similar company.

Sunday (1/6)

1ST -- IMPERIAL BLUEGRAZZ (Imperialism) showed potential finishing a good

second, only three-quarters of a length behind a 1-2 favorite. He certainly

outran his 15-1 odds as he chased the early leader, made a bid into the stretch

and held well when the winner went by and was coming again late on the inside.

He should benefit from this experience.

9TH -- ALAJWAD DANCER (Alajwad) was only a neck short from a two-for-two

record on the Tampa lawn. This six-year-old gelding won his first turf attempt

last February and appears to be fond of the grass. He overcame trouble when

shuffled back as a seam closed, but came back again on the rail and just missed.

Sharp.