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TAMPA BAY DOWNS NOTEBOOK DECEMBER 18, 2012 by Bob Bauer Racing resumed on Wednesday after a three-day break. About a half-inch of rain fell on Monday and Tuesday. Both courses dry very well and the dirt was rated fast and the turf was firm. The main track played much the same as before the precipitation. Runners that were up close early had the advantage. In sprints, some lone speed types were able to go wire-to-wire and stalkers and pressers within a few lengths of the lead were taking over if the pacesetter couldn't last. In most cases, the winners were in one of the top three positions at the first call. Closers from the back of the pack did poorly as win bets. Five dirt routes were run this past week, with front runners scoring twice. The others were won by pressers who were within three lengths of the lead at the half-mile call. For now, runners who can be on or near the early pace are the ones to back. If you find one that has some late pace ability, so much the better. The turf course has changed due to the rain and the rail being moved out 12 feet. It seems that the grass was still moist underneath, making it less kind to early speed. At the end of racing last Saturday, early pace types had done well, scoring at least three times in that week. On Wednesday, both routes over the sod were won by closers. Friday had a pair of like events, the first taken by a closer and the other by an early/presser type. Saturday's card provided a trio of turf contests with the same type of runners getting the money, Two of which had the top last-race BRIS Late Pace figure. There was a single turf sprint and the lawn appeared to be plenty fast. A pair of speedballs dueled right from the gate and separated themselves from the rest of the field by the time they hit the turn. The splits were: 21.06 and 44.67, the winner got the five-eighths of a mile in 57.30. The victor, JR'S EXCHANGE (Exchange Rate), no stranger to Tampa Bay Downs fans, owns the track record of :54 4/5. We may see him in the $75,000 Turf Dash Stakes on January 5. An update on the popular trainer and jockey stats: Chad Stewart is now in front with six winners. Jane Cibelli has five and Gerald Bennett and Jamie Ness are next with four each. Angel Serpa leads the jockey colony having eight victories. Daniel Coa and Daniel Centeno are tied for second with a half-dozen apiece. Not far behind with four scores each are Willie Martinez, Ademar Santos and Fernando De La Cruz. HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (12/12) 3RD -- BABO (Langfuhr), a seven-year-old gelding, went to the post at odds of 24-1. He trailed the field until the upper stretch, when he closed strongly and was getting to the winner. He had lost each his previous three starts at Fort Erie by over 20 lengths. The Tampa weather and the drop to non-winners-of-one-in-six-months company, appear to be what this one needed. 4th -- BAB'SBRICKHOUSE (Proud Accolade) lost all chance in her Tampa debut when she was shut off and shuffled back after being pushed over a rivals heels. This lightly raced filly from the Gerald Bennett barn figures to improve with a clean trip. 7TH -- CHLOE CAROL (Three Wonders) was slow out of the gate and then was blocked by a foe crossing over from her outside. A confirmed front-runner, this six-year-old mare was last until the half-mile mark and passed tiring runners to check in fourth. This was her first start for the Greg Griffith outfit and improvement is expected. She could be dangerous if able find a field that allows her to get an early lead by herself. Friday (12/14) 9TH -- This one mile maiden-special-weight turf race was unusual because it leaves us with a trio of runners to watch. First we have BEEZIE STAR (Weather Warning), a debut runner who ran off on the lead in early fractions of 22.44 and 46.57 only to be pulled up after five furlongs. She has grass breeding on both sides and may have a future with her own kind on the lawn. PLAUSIBLY (Street Sense) and SPIRIT AMOUR (Tapit) were both forced to take up due to trouble on the far turn and deserve another chance. Saturday (12/15) 4TH -- HOLIDAY STAR (Harlan's Holiday) was a prompt favorite, breaking his maiden in a one mile maiden special weight test. The soon-to-be sophomore endured a very tough trip when he was boxed down inside on the far turn and was forced to wait for room entering the stretch. He got through along the rail and gained the lead to prevail by a length. Watch for this Graham Motion youngster as he moves up to face winners. 5TH -- ECSTATIC MISS (Consolidator), from the Barbara McBride barn, gave a good debut effort against a well meant 6-5 favorite. This gray filly broke seventh and rushed up to take the lead by the quarter pole, passed by the winner in the stretch, held well and came again with a late run to miss by only a length. She could be ready to graduate soon.
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