TAMPA BAY DOWNS NOTEBOOK
APRIL 2, 2013
by Bob Bauer
This was sort of a quiet week at the Downs. There were no stakes events and
racing was cut to three days due to Easter Sunday. The final stakes of the
meeting are on the horizon — Florida Cup Day will be held next Saturday. This
special day of racing features a half-dozen stakes (all with a $75,000 purse)
showcasing Florida-breds, and there are always some good betting opportunities
to be found.
The good weather returned and the conditions were fast and firm all week
long. The moveable rail on the turf course was set at 30 feet on Wednesday and
at 22 feet on Friday and Saturday. Both surfaces continue to play fairly as has
been the case all season.
Horseplayers who use the Brisnet Ultimate PP’s had a banner day on Saturday,
as the winners of the first four races were at the top of the Prime Power list.
PRETTY GAL TOO (Birdstone) a Wayne Minnock trainee, got it started in the
opener under red-hot Ron Allen Jr. The crowd sent the Hoosier Park invader off
at better than 6-1 and made BELLS OF CONCERTO (Concerto), second on the Prime
Power list, the 3-5 favorite. The result was a $14.40 win mutuel and a $31.60
exacta.
The Prime Power pointed out another winning shipper when MARK’S SOUL (Perfect
Soul), last seen at Fort Erie in October and new to the Robert Smith outfit,
took the second with Eddie Dominguez up and paid $9.40 and completed a $63.60
double.
The third event went to CONNOR’S GOLD (Gottcha Gold), with Danny Coa in the
irons for the powerful Jane Cibelli barn. The sophomore filly gave back $10 and
anchored a $70.60 double and a Pick 3 of $283.40.
The Prime Power parade finished up in the fourth as BET THE MOOSE (Uncle
Woger), the only winning favorite on the 11-race card, cruised to a six-length
score and returned a decent $6.80. New rider Ademar Santos guided the speedy
miss gate to wire for trainer Yvon Belsoeur. The final double in this series was
good for $47.00 and the Pick 3 worth $230.20.
It can pay for bettors to consider horses that show top rankings on the Prime
Power list when making selections. While we are on this subject, here is one
simple angle that has worked many times over the years and at least twice at
Tampa this season: if a player spots a runner in the Ultimate PP’s that finished
in front of the top Prime Power horse, get ready to make a wager. That is, after
investigating the circumstances of the result of the race. If it was a
legitimate result (no mishaps, obvious bias or surface issues), you’ve got a
live runner.
Veteran horsewoman Kathleen O’Connell reached a noteworthy milestone when she
saddled her 1,500th winner in Friday’s 10th race. THIS ONE’S FOR MEL (Act of
Duty), owned by Gilbert G. Campbell and ridden by Antonio Gallardo, is one that
she will remember. There was an award ceremony and celebration in the winners
circle.
The rate of winning favorites continues to decline. This comes as a bit of a
surprise to some after the chalk was scoring in excess of 40 percent earlier in
the season. It will be interesting to see where the rate is at the season’s end.
This past week, favorites won only six of 30 races (20 percent).
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (3/27)
3RD — E Z DINNER (Formal Dinner) gave an impressive effort graduating with
$25,000 maiden claiming sprinters. He was last in a five-horse field early,
clipped a rivals heels near the quarter pole and was still able to run down the
leader who had a four-length advantage at the top of the stretch. Might be back
in the winner’s circle before the season’s end.
5TH — PRETTY PATSY (Gimmeawink) showed some promise at 28-1, finishing
second on the lawn after five dull trips on the dirt. The three-year-old miss
rallied from far back early on and made a good move in the stretch and was
second best. She may have discovered her calling. Could surprise a field of
maiden claimers on the green.
Friday (3/29)
6TH — HE’S A FIREBALL (Mr. Greeley), a Gulfstream invader, ran a good second
after lacking room inside entering the stretch versus $16,000 non-winners of two
lifetime on the sod. He had been facing the same kind in Miami for a $30,000
tag. Should beat a similar field with a good trip.
10 — A. P. STEEL (Circular Quay), a first-time starter from the stable of
veteran horseman Freddie Hyatt, was not on his best behavior debuting with
$32,000 maiden claimers on the lawn. The sophomore was fractious in the post
parade, broke awkwardly, lost his irons and finished seventh in a field of nine.
This effort is a throwout, and improvement is expected.
Saturday (3/30)
2ND — DIRECTION TO PAY (Pavoratti) settled for third in his first attempt
with $5,000 non-winners-of-one in six months going seven furlongs, the easiest
spot he has seen so far. The four-year-old gelding was moving well and lacked
room in the stretch. He was well backed by the bettors and could prevail against
this kind next time.
7TH — TIGERDUDE (Aptitude) woke up and closed a ton to just miss by a nose
at 17-1 in his first start on the Tampa turf, and also his premiere with new
trainer Kathleen O’Connell. The four-year-old showed marked improvement as he
had failed to hit the board in four previous tries on the sod. He was ninth in a
ten-horse field until the top of the stretch, moved to the middle of the course
and closed very quickly on the outside. Fits with first-level allowance runners.