RECAP – Tampa Bay & Gulfstream Hits

Tampa Bay R8

This race ended up being the Super Screener highlight of the day and it was the race we featured in our Saturday webcast. We talked about how On a Spree was coming into a big race 2^nd off the layoff exiting a race that was better than it looked due to the extremely slow pace.

#2 On A Spree – PRESSER – No horse will get a better trip as this lightly raced, improving 4 yr-old gelding who will press #5 Americandy throughout reserving all kinds of energy. His speed figure from that last out win coming off the layoff is severely understated due to the extremely slow pace in that race. Only improves off that race in a continued ascent in that form cycle. Is 5 for 5 in the Exacta on this turf course. On minor concern is the distance but it is minor given his advantages.

He pressed the pace then pounced as they hit the stretch and drew away to his career best. Somewhat surprisingly it was not Americandy that he pressed but rather another Super Screener top choice, #10 Dazzling Truths who was taken immediately to the lead from that outside draw using up valuable energy in the process. All things considered, it was a pretty solid effort as he proved to be stubborn holding on to 3^rd place.

What was even more satisfying is the fact that our Top Long Shot pick, Domain, came through grinding his way to a hard-fought 2^nd place at odds of 12-1. Here’s what we noted about Domain prior to the race:

I encourage you to watch the replays of #3 Domain’s last 3 races. He didn’t get a clean trip in any of those starts and a lot of blame has to be put on his pilot. Was wide throughout in that last race and then ran up on the heals of a foe in the stretch and had to be checked hard losing all momentum. In the race prior, he was making a move on the rail in mid-stretch and then got slammed by a rival to his right and pulled up hard and ended up finishing last. Three races back, he had to wait behind horses coming into the stretch getting shuffled back a bit. Really glad to see the jockey switch back to Wilmer Garcia who led this horse to his last win 4 races back. What I like most about this contender is the fact that he is a massive gelding and a grinder type that can run all day long so the longer the better for this long shot candidate. He’ll get completely overlooked here and should be a prominent player in your wagers (especially “under”) while offering a huge price.

The suggested Super Screener Exacta featuring On a Spree over Domain paid a generous $421.

Gulfstream Park R8

We were lukewarm on Assertiko but the class drop was clearly all it took to wake this one up. Our top three ranked horses finished 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th.

Sunshine Forever Stakes

While El Tormenta disappointed our second choice, Halladay, came through in a repeat of his last race running this field off their feet going wire to wire for the win as the odds-on favorite. Another low priced contender, Aquaphobia, completed the Exacta at 9-2. As a result, the suggested Exacta paid a paltry $70.

Gulfstream R10

Man, I was really looking forward to this race as the Super Screener rooted out a huge Top Long Shot pick, Urban Light, who went off at humongous odds of 51-1.  Unfortunately, he ran up the track in a dull effort. Our second choice, Battle of Blenheim won at 6-5 with a “B” horse finishing 2^nd at 8-1. 

Churchill Downs will take center stage this coming Saturday as the racing world descends upon this fabled track and you can expect massive contentious fields this weekend thanks to plenty of pent up demand.  Can’t wait to dive in!  Catch us Thursday evening on our Facebook webcast as we break it all down for you. 

Until this coming weekend, Go Fast, Stay Healthy and Win!

Mike