Tampa Bay Downs Best Bets
Sure, it’s Super Bowl weekend, but we still have some great horse racing, including a Derby Prep at Tampa Bay Downs, so for a few racing best bets, let’s look over that card and take some shots in the Sam F Davis and the undercard featuring Life Talk who is one of the early favorites for the Kentucky Oaks.
The Sam F Davis, Tampa Bay Downs, Race #10
All eyes will be on #9 Change of Command when the gates spring open on Saturday. The Shug McGaughey-trained running was installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite and will likely get bet down from that number. He looked like a monster before hanging in the stretch last time out at Gulfstream Park and the connections responded by adding blinkers. If they help Change of Command focus when he hits the front, watch out!
Todd Pletcher will send out two in this spot, and I like the bigger price in #2 Tireless. He was a winner last time out over this Tampa track while rating off the speed and getting to the front with very little urging from his jockey. He will need to improve to win here, but if Pletcher sees fit to run him, then you trust he is ready to go.
Another price, #5 No More Time was disappointing last time out in the Mucho Macho Man, but that was first off a longer layoff. It’s a positive sign that trainer Jose D’Angelo spins him back into stakes company and goes for Derby points. He is in a logical improvement spot here and has the tactical speed to stay close to the pace with a nice kick late.
#7 Copper Tax ships in from up north after running in the Remsen at Aqueduct last time out. That was the first clunker from Copper Tax, but it was forgivable given the 1 1/8th mile distance. He will be upfront early and try to last it out to the wire.
The other Pletcher is #6 Agate Road, who, let’s be honest, is a turf horse. He will take money because of the connections, but I am happy to let this one beat me. His fair odds in the spot are closer to 15-1, and he will go off around 4-1.
Picks: 9-5-2-7
Racing Best Bets:
$25 Exacta – 9 / 2,5
$5 Tri – 5,9 / 2,5,9 / 2,5,9
Spot plays:
Gulfstream Race #3 – $50 Win #5
Tampa Bay Race #2 – $50 Win #5
Tampa Bay Race #11 – $50 Win #3
