TAMPA BAY DOWNS NOTEBOOK
FEBRUARY 19, 2013
by Bob Bauer
Just as we were reveling in the great Tampa weather over the last few weeks, it
seems Mother Nature showed us who is boss. The racing week started on Wednesday
with typical fast and firm conditions. The moveable rail was set at 30 feet on
the turf course. Thursday came with showers that lasted through Friday and we
were left with a good (sealed) dirt track and no turf racing.
It should be noted that the dirt seemed especially kind to speed types on
Friday. The condition on the track television system was rated as good. The
official charts called the going wet-fast. Half of the 10 events on the card
were taken by front-runners and the rest by pressers who raced close-up and took
over late when the pacesetter couldn’t last.
It was still a bit soggy on Saturday, both courses were officially labeled
“good.” Once again, speed was the way to go, especially sprinting. Pacesetters
went gate-to-wire in four of the five sprint events. Both dirt routes went to
close-up pressers that made winning moves entering the stretch. The early
leaders each lasted for a piece of the trifecta.
Closers took two of the trio of turf contests, with the rail back at zero,
including the featured Grade 3, $150,000 Tampa Bay Stakes at 1 1/16 miles. The victor, SWIFT WARRIOR (First Samurai) from the John Terranova
barn, pressed the leaders from fourth and moved outside and went four wide and
got up late, a half-length to the good under regular pilot Jose Espinoza. That
one and second best (dead heat for place) DOUBLES PARTNER (Rock Hard Ten) stood
alone together at the top of the BRIS Prime Power ratings.
Clear and cool weather arrived for Sunday and both surfaces appeared to be
playing evenly. The main track was rated fast and the grass was good.
Next week’s feature will be the $75,000 Super Stakes, showcasing four-year-olds
and upward going seven furlongs.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (2/13)
7TH — GUN POINT (Harlan’s Holiday), trained by veteran Derek Ryan and ridden by
red-hot Jose Espinosa (33 percent winners), was an impressive four-length
first-out winner, besting $32,000 maiden claimers on the grass. This sophomore
colt appears to love the turf and may be able to handle allowance company. If
not, he could cruise through the conditioned claiming ranks.
8TH — MIND SPELL (Proud Accolade) had a rough trip as the even-money choice in his
first attempt for a tag. Ridden by Daniel Centeno (20 percent winners) and
conditioned by Jason DeCosta (40 percent), this one clearly has solid connections
and deserves another try with this kind. He gave an honest effort pressing the
pace into the stretch where he checked and steadied inside the winner when that one
came in. Centeno claimed foul to no avail. Might get his picture taken again
soon.
Thursday (2/14)
4TH — WISER NOW (Wised Up), a four-year-old gelding, showed some ability in his
debut versus maiden special weight foes going six furlongs. The Jane Cibelli
trainee was in tight quarters on the turn and got room in the drive, finishing
fourth. He had been training well with a half-dozen local works since late
December. Should improve with a clean trip.
10TH — CAVALLO MURANO (Elusive Quality) overcame trouble when boxed and waited for
room entering the stretch, and then moved inside to draw off to a handy four-length
tally against $16,000 claimers in a one-mile-and 40-yard test that was taken of
the turf. This six-year old mare appears in sharp form now and should be tough
when back on the weeds, her preferred surface. She has top-notch human partners,
jockey Angel Serpa (26 percent) and trainer Jorge Navarro (35 percent).
Friday (2/15)
3RD — MIGHTY GIEDON (Put It Back) came back running after a 48-day freshening and
finished third after being roughed-up at the break and being steadied over heels
on the turn. A four-year-old gelding from the powerful Chad Stewart barn (27
percent), he fits with $8,000 non-winners of two lifetime claimers and merits
consideration next time out.
6TH — CHIPTEASE (Put It Back) wired a field of $16,000 claiming routers when he
drew off as much the best to a six-length score. The only problem was that this
four-year-old gelding had his number taken down and placed second for bumping
rivals at the break. He appears to like the Tampa track and would have recorded
a pair of victories in three starts here had it not been for this unfortunate
incident. Likes to get the lead early and could repeat with the right pace
set-up.
10TH — RENACERE (Pure Prize) showed up at the Downs after a 290-day hiatus
in a five-furlong dash that was taken off the turf. This four-year-old filly had
sprinted a half-dozen times in Argentina, winning a Group 3 stakes and missing
by only a head in a Group 1. She was prominent early before fading to last in a
field of four in her first local try, but might be dangerous now that she has a
race under her girth.
Saturday (2/16)
3RD — FU PEGS BABY (Fusaichi Pegasus) woke up finishing a good third at 24-1 after finishing up the track in his last four attempts,
and may be showing that
he is returning to form. The six-year-old gelding took an early lead and battled
back after being passed, tried to come again on the far turn but lacked room.
This one ran some good ones last year at Finger Lakes and could surprise at a
big price. Worth using in gimmicks.
8TH — REIGN OF KINGS (Albert The Great) was last at the start after being squeezed
back, but rallied to get the place after splitting horses in a first-level
allowance/optional claiming test at 5 1/2 furlongs. This six-year-old
was a perfect two-for-two at Tampa prior to this and should not be overlooked
the next time back.
Sunday (2/18)
7TH — SMART AND TRUE (Smarty Jones) was very impressive as he didn’t enjoy the
smoothest of trips, but trounced a first-level allowance field by 5 1/2 lengths under Daniel Centeno. Trainer Curtis Garrison had this
four-year-old ready after a 231-day break which followed his first turf try,
also at a mile. In that effort at Calder, he finished second after a troubled
trip and graduated thru disqualification. Appears to be in rare form now and no
telling what this one might be as he continues on the sod.