Check out our race-by-race verdicts and nap selection for Wednesday's meeting at Tampa Bay Downs.
17.30 (All times BST): Big Rig’s strike-rate is off-putting and he’s having a first run since Presque Isle in October but he does have the past form to figure in a race of this quality. THE KAHN is fancied to get Gerald Bennett and Samy Camacho off to a positive start, however, even though beaten a long way when second here two weeks ago. There is nothing of the winner’s quality in this and Upper Crown has more than three lengths to find on that run having finished ahead of Sunshines Out earlier.
18.00: Switching from Gulfstream Park, Noble Intentions led off the home turn to land a similar contest here two weeks ago and a follow-up is a possibility. Only a neck separated My Masterpiece and Unabridged over a slightly shorter trip here last month with No Sniveling close up but Bettyb a distant last. That was the third time in a row that Sandrino Hernandez’s charge had got the better of Gary Wales’ mount and the confirmed front-runner can maintain dominance but is on a long losing run. PIONEEROF NEW YORK (NAP) never looked like being caught once hitting the front here in February and there is scope for further improvement under Antonio Gallardo.
18.30: Gallardo followers could be on the money again in this as SUPER TWENTY FIVE has her sights lowered. It could be argued that she needs a bit further than 6f nowadays but the Super Saver filly should still have the class to prevail. Lil B Quick pulled well clear of Alluring Approval and Do What It Takes over track and trip last month so can’t be ignored, though she has three lengths to find with Rattlesnakerose on their run together here in February.
19.00: Gesture was an expensive purchase and she could be ready to show her worth after a couple of runs. Stack Shack is equally unexposed while Natoma produced a much better effort when runner-up here last month having previously finished behind West Burke. Having finished second in all four runs to date, FOXGLOVE could profit from a switch of barn and track to finally open her account as she is still improving.
19.30: Legacy Azteca lost all chance at the start when vying for favouritism here last month but made relentless headway over the final half-mile to finish only a couple of lengths behind eventual runner-up Saucy Don and ahead of Forward Motion. It’s not difficult to see him coming out best of that trio today and he looks a big danger to TOP SEED. Impressive on debut, the latter boiled over in the preliminaries last time and that run is easily ignored. Highland Park Hero was in cracking form last summer but he’s having a first run since August. Strate Remark has an even longer absence to overcome.
20.00: Eyerish Inspired’s recent victory came over 7f and she appears to have more on her plate in this. CROWN OF JOY was slowly away and always behind in better company here last month. But, as that was her first start November, it will be a surprise if Kathleen O’Connell’s mare doesn’t leave that run well behind today. Mast Cove had been going well prior to disappointing last month but is not well drawn while Antalya has yet to hit form this year.
20.30: Creed is a $650,000 son of Honor Code but none of his dam’s offspring so far have managed to win a race. Land Mark Deal is another newcomer worth noting while Sense of Justice will be all the better for a recent comeback run when he finished ahead of Drama Chorus. BLAME THE CAKE showed plenty of ability in a couple of runs at Saratoga last summer and Ian Wilkes’ Blame colt looks the one to be on with Samy Camacho taking over the reins.
21.00: SUMMER ASSAULT is back over his winning trip having placed twice over a mile since. He may have too much pace for last month’s debut winner Sea Lover while December’s winner Baby Boomer has not impressed in recent workouts. Uncle Bud, another last-time winner, looks held by the selection and Kid Russell’s form last year was at Presque Isle Downs. Stuck Up is also having a first run here after a lay-off.
