Tampa Bay Downs Notebook

TAMPA BAY DOWNS NOTEBOOK

JANUARY 22, 2013

by Bob Bauer

Racing continued at the Downs with fast and firm conditions that would

prevail all week long. Both tracks played fairly, much the same as they have in

previous weeks. Early/presser and pressers were best on the dirt, especially

sprinting. Routes were more mixed with wire to wire wins possible for

pacesetters and stalkers and closers getting up if the speed faltered.

The turf course moveable rail was set at 12 feet on Wednesday and 22 feet for

the remaining days. It appears that the course favors late pace types at the

latter position, while early speed types may have a chance at the 12-foot and

zero-rail settings, depending on the pace scenario.

Wednesday also was a shock to chalk players as favorites had been scoring at

about 40 percent. The betting choices went one-for-nine, and longshot bettors

were rewarded with some hefty mutuels. Six of the nine events on the card

yielded double figure win payoffs. The winner of the ninth race finale, BALINO

(Mr. Elway), gave his backers a $124.20 reward and finished a $2 Pick 4 worth

$41,670.40.

The high rate of winning favorites has moderated somewhat this week to 35

percent (14-for-40). The public choices had uneven rates of success for the

other days, four-for-10 Thursday, three-for-11 Saturday and six-for-10 Sunday.

Perhaps it is more important to horseplayers to note the high success rate

shippers are enjoying at Tampa Bay Downs lately. Shippers took 13 of 40 events

last week (33 percent) and this situation demands a closer look. Runners from

five tracks went to the winner's circle, including Monmouth, Presque Isle Downs,

Suffolk, Finger Lakes and the Miami-area tracks of Calder and Gulfstream. Of the

13 winners, eight came from Miami (62 percent).

Twice this last week shipped-in horses swept the first three races on the

program. Friday saw an all-Miami early Pick 3. INSPEIGHTOFTHE GOLD (Speightstown),

from the Jane Cibelli outfit, took the opener handily under Angel Serpa. Daniel

Centeno booted home PURE VALUE (Value Plus) in the second for Tom Proctor to

provide a modest $15.80 Double. The third went to Jason DaCosta's RHYTHM OF MY

SOUL (Pioneering), ridden by Jose Espinoza, finishing another Double of $37.20

and a Pick 3 of $162.60.

Saturday's opening events went to runners from a trio of different tracks and

yielded more substantial pari-mutuel results. RUN SMART ONE (Smarty Jones) got

things started for trainer Steve Budhoo and pilot Daniel Coa in the first. The

Gulfstream invader returned $15.40 for the win, keying a $208.40 exacta with

Hoosier Park shipper HIYABEN (Ben Bulben) and a trifecta worth $845.20 that was

completed by OUGHTERSON (Distorted Humor), last seen at Suffolk Downs back in

September.

Next, conditioner Anthony Ferraro had Finger Lakes shipper SPIDER FAN (Jazil)

ready for action in the second event after a 50-day vacation. Veteran rider

Huber Villa-Gomez got him home, resulting in a $137.20 Double payout.

GET BACK JACK (Gibson County), who was away from competition since last

August at Suffolk Downs, proved best for Daniel Centeno and Brenda McCarthy in

the third contest. The double was good for $41.20 and the Pick 3 was a generous

$455.60.

Handicappers should give all shipper's past performances an extra good look

at Tampa Bay Downs, especially in conditioned claiming races where many of the

local runners have had numerous chances but have failed to win and move out of

the condition (non-winners of two lifetime or non-winners of a race since the

date, for example). It seems logical that a new shooter from out of town might

have an edge under these conditions.

Stakes action returns on Saturday with the renewal of $75,000 Lightning City

Stakes for older fillies and mares at five furlongs on the sod. These turf

dashes can be interesting and lucrative wagering opportunities.

Tampa Bay Downs fans are reminded that this week begins five-day racing

(Wednesday thru Sunday) for the next six weeks.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (1/16)

9TH -- FESSED UP (Showing Up) appears to be a horse for the Tampa turf

course. This lightly raced three-year-old from the Leigh Delacour barn broke his

maiden back in December versus $32,000 company after a tardy start. In his

latest effort with first-level allowance runnerss, he raced close-up from the

start and lacked racing room in the far turn. He moved off the rail and finished

strong and missed by only a nose. Sharp now.

Friday (1/18)

6TH -- THE ADJUDENT (War Front) was an unlucky fourth in her latest attempt

against $25,000 maiden claimers on the lawn. The four-year-old filly stalked the

leaders for six furlongs and moved entering the stretch to take a brief lead,

then was forced out wide and steadied when a foe bore out in deep stretch.

Jockey Angel Serpa lodged an unsuccessful claim of foul. This one could graduate

for Kathleen O'Connell soon.

8TH -- ELUSIVE ECHO (Elusive Quality) was the 6-5 choice on the basis of her

drop to $25,000 maiden claiming company. She was boxed and lacked racing room

inside to mid-stretch and finished fourth on the wire. Should be a threat with

this kind.

Saturday (1/19)

7TH -- BACK AWAY (Put It Away), a four-year-old gelding, was pressing the

pace from third and was bothered when inside on the far turn and gave way in his

season debut after a three-month break. He has a solid record on the turf (five

wins in 11 attempts) with a pair of victories over the local lawn in only four

tries in previous meetings. Expect a good outing with a better trip second time

back.

9TH -- LAUGHTER (Distorted Humor) was bumped at the break by a rival who hit

the side of the starting gate, then lacked racing room early and angled five

wide into stretch and got the show. This Ron Potts trainee has good early foot

and fits with allowance/$16,0000 optional claiming sprinters.

10TH -- LIL BIT O'FUN (Langfuhr) was making an inside middle move against

open allowance turf runners when a tiring horse forced him into the rail in the

drive. He made up some ground late and checked in fourth. The bettors sent him

off at 3-1 despite being winless in 2012. Could surprise the right group on the

grass.

Sunday (1/20)

2ND -- WILD ABOUT IRENE (Offlee Wild), a three-year-old filly from the Gerald

Bennett barn, stumbled at the start and rushed up inside along the rail to be a

factor into the stretch. She gave way to be fourth and rates another chance

sprinting with this kind, is lightly raced and has room for improvement.

8TH -- LEA'S EXCHANGE (Exchange Rate) was the longest price on the board at

70-1 and ran a good third despite some trouble behind a pair of well-backed

favorites going 1 1/16 miles on the turf. The sophomore filly seems to have

awakened here and may be giving notice of better efforts ahead.