Tampa Bay Downs Selections
Saturday Jan. 21, 2017
By Bob Bauer
RACE 1- 6 Furlongs Clm $16,000 NW3L
#4 Sonoma Crush- Drops into a condition claimer for the first time. Leading rider Centeno stays on after an easy win vs. optional claimers in December. A repeat would be no surprise.
#5 Tribal Drama- Another who runs for a first time tag, this one ran with $32,000 company last time and is a new gelding. Eligible to improve here.
#8 Big Silver Hoss-Turns back for top trainer Bennett after beating NW2L stock last time at 6 ½ furlongs. Bennett scores at 24% with claiming repeaters.
RACE 2- 7 Furlongs Clm $6250
#5 Inaswagger- Stretches out for the Bennett/Centeno combo clicking at 60% these days. Earned big fig over track.
#9 Money Tree- Turns back to distance and level of last win for Jamie Ness who wins 36% of the time when he rides Edwin Gonzalez.
#4 Unbridled Glow- Had a rough trip last time, Just missed at 7 panels 2 races back.
RACE 3- 7 Furlongs Pasco Stakes $100,000
#7 Chance of Luck-a perfect 2 for 2, won the Inaugural Stakes over this track. Appears to be the one to beat.
#1 Six Gun Salute- Throw out last race. Ran bang up sprint 2 back at Hawthorne. Should be coming late.
#2 Union Blues-Penn Maiden winner ships in, Centeno up for Delacour, 25% wins together.
RACE 4- 8 ½ Furlongs Cim $5,000 NW1 6m
#10- I Cat-Might be the one to catch in a weak field.
#3- Gills Terrace- Shipper could surprise in here.
#9-To The Stars- Has run ok with this kind, showed improvement last.
RACE 5- 6 Furlongs Clm $5,000 NW1 6m
#11 Chesapeake Song-Laurel shipper drops to lowest level for Ness. He wins at a 26% clip with new stock.
#3 Sheza Ruler-May have needed last race.
#10 Seeyouinthetown-Placed last two attempts vs. this kind.
RACE 6- 8 Furlongs Turf Mdn. $22,500
#2 Youngest Daughter-Has best fig over local lawn, despite trouble.
#1 Realism-Runs fresh for Bill Mott, winning at a 50% rate in Tampa this season.
#4 Gift Tax-Should be ready to debut for Christophe Clement. Tapit filly has had a dozen works of various kinds since October.
RACE 7- 8 ½ Furlongs Wayward Lass Stakes $50,000
#2 Pleasant Mine- Looks to be the fastest here. Likes the distance
#3 No Fault of Mine- Should take some beating. Centeno on, bullet work Jan. 14th.
#7 Royal Jewely-Sharp now for the powerful Bennett barn. Loves Tampa
RACE 8- 8 ½ Furlongs Turf Optional Clm. $32,000
#9 Dyna’s Recoleta- Ships in after good comeback race over Gulfstream lawn.
#2 Marmalade- Earned a big figure on Gulfstream grass, ships here in 5 days, could be a live longshot.
#1 Sequiota- Will be closing, Fernando De La Cruz on.
RACE 9- 7 Furlongs Gasparilla Stakes $100,000
#2 R Angel Katelyn- Stretches out for Gerald Bennett after taking the Sandpiper and is now 3 for 4 lifetime. She appears to be in fine fettle working a bullet 47 flat on Jan. 14.
#7 Livin a Dream- Moves up off a nice Maiden victory for Chad Stewart. Top jock Centeno stays. This one shows some late pace ability and be a closing threat.
#9 Jumby Bay- Ran second to the top choice in the Sandpiper. Local veteran Jesus Castanon is up for Todd Pletcher. This season, they are enjoying a 67% success rate so far.
RACE 10- 8 ½ Furlongs Allowance $22,500 NW1X
#4 Earring- Training steadily for local bow, has run well after two breaks lately. Tom Proctor will have Ron Allen Jr. in the irons. (40% win rate together). Drops from Grade 3 Stk.
#10 Vagabond- Ships in for Shug McGaughey (40% Tampa win rate). Merits respect here.
#8 More Than Kisses- Moves up after handy Maiden score. Centeno stays.
RACE 11- 5 ½ Furlongs Mdn. Clm. $16,000
#5 Tiz Samurai- Turns back for smart (Dale Bennett 42% winners) barn.
#6 Italian Lemonade- Ran ok here twice earlier his season, ships back from Gulfstream. Picks up 19% rider Edwin Gonzalez.
#8- Heaven’s Buzz- a first-time starter from Dale Bennett, has had 9 local workouts since November. Ron Allen Jr. has the mount and he is presently riding a hot streak in Oldsmar.
BOB’S BEST BET- Race 10, #4 Earring