1/31: Tampa Bay (8th-12th); Santa Anita (6th-9th)
 

TAMPA BAY DOWNS


POST-SCRATCHES


8th: OC/N2X, 4+, 8.5f-T (P5, P3, DD)

P5 may be too arduous to play for small money with this deep, well-matched group starting it..

Most Likely: #5 Stormy Pacific 3-1 5th
Best Value: #1 Examen 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #10 Dramedy 4-1 4th
Exotics Use: #13 Layton Register 7-2 9th


9th: 35th Suncoast, 3yo-F, 1m-40y (P4, P3, DD)

The endless parade of mediocrity in the sophomore filly ranks continues here..

Most Likely: #1 Irish Jasper 7-2 8th
Next Best: #3 Whimsicality 9-2 5th
Best Value: #6 Innovative Idea 8-1 4th
Exotics Use: #5 A. P.'s Glory 8-1 6th


10th: 16th Endeavour (G3), F&M-4+, 8.5f-T (P3, DD)

Excellent cast for this early season turf test. As discussed on ATR with owner Covello, expect Testa Rossi to be more involved here. Also expect improvement from Hard Not to Like on move to Clement..

Most Likely: #1 Testa Rossi 3-1 WON-via DQ ($5.20)
Best Value: #11 Hard Not to Like 7-2 2nd-DQ'd from WIN
Next Best: #5 Principessa Ava 20-1 4th
Exotics Use: #6 I'm Already Sexy 4-1 7th


11th: 35th Sam. F. Davis (G3), 3yo, 8.5f (DD)

Fun edition of this typically mundane Tampa Bay Derby prep despite the fact that race was denied Kentucky Derby points. Rooting that Chad Stewart's likeable Catalina Red continues to confirm bona fides but anticipate Josie Carroll's Ami's Flatter advances his classic credentials after excellent soph debut in dirt and stakes debut in Mucho Macho Man behind Bluegrass Singer (solid Holy Bull 3rd last week)..

Best Value: #3 Ami's Flatter 9-2 4th
Next Best: #1 Catalina Red 4-1 5th
Exotics Use: #11 Ocean Knight 5-2 WON ($5.20)
Super Add: #8 G Five 10-1 12th


12th: ALW/N1X, F&M-4+, 1m-T (Super Hi-5)

Most Likely: #2 Penelope Perfect 3-1 3rd
Next Best: #4 Lookout Raven 6-1 4th
Exotics Use: #1 Princess Mariah 9-2 5th
Best Value: #9 Stock Yard Hen 8-1 WON ($12.40)
Super/Hi-5: #6 See Trouble 6-1 2nd


P4 Grid:

9: 1-3 (A), 5-6 (B), 2-4 (C)
10: 1-11 (A), 5 (B), 4-6-7-12 (C)
11: 3 (A), 1-11 (B), 2-8-9 (C)
12: 2 (A), 1-4-9 (B), 6-9-10 (C)



SANTA ANITA


POST-SCRATCHES


6th: Palos Verdes (G2), 4+, 6f (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #4 Secret Circle 5-2 2nd
Best Value: #5 Wild Dude 4-1 3rd
Next Best: #1 Distinctiv Passion 2-1 4th
Exotics Use: #2 Big Macher 5-2 5th


7th: 56th Arcadia (G2), 4+, 1m-T (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #4 Kaigun 5-2 4th
Next Best: #8 Za Approval 3-1 2nd
Best Value: #9 Avanzare 4-1 WON ($13.80)
Exotics Use: #5 Edge of Reality 8-1 6th


8th: 33rd Las Virgenes (G1), 3yo-F, 1m (DD)

Best Value: #6 Majestic Presence 7-2 4th
Next Best: #2 Maybellene 3-1 8th
Exotics Use: #7 Callback 4-1 WON ($7.20)
Super Add: #9 Miss Mandate 12-1 5th


9th: MSW, 3yo, 1m-T (Super Hi-5)

Most Likely: #7 Rockin Robin 7-2 8th
Best Value: #2 Blue Law 12-1 2nd
Next Best: #9 Just Kidding 4-1 11th
Exotics Use: #10 Milton 10-1 4th
Super Add: #11 Steam Play 4-1 3rd


P4 Grid:

6: 4-5 (A), 1-2 (B), 3-6 (C)
7: 4 (A), 8 (B), 2-5-9 (C)
8: 6 (A), 2-7 (B), 3-5-9 (C)
9: 2-7 (A), 9-10-11 (B), 3-12 (C)


Good luck!
Steve

Steve, quick question, I see you're not a fan of the 9 in the 11th at Tampa Bay, I like it a lot, any analysis that can sway me off? Thanks in advance.

Won't talk you off. Using as a 'C' with the 2 Pletchers. Contender with another race like last, but consider more a suspect.

Mike Vesce: Palm Meadows Works for Today's Tampa Bay Downs Card

Race 2

GOOD PICK NICK (2)
Jan. 23 - Went 23.20 to the top of the lane, was going easily with the rider up in the irons into a headwind in 49 flat, and galloped out with good energy in 1:01.80, 1:15.60 for six furlongs. Rating: B
Jan. 14 - Was encouraged to finish through good splits of 22.80, 47.60, and past the wire in 1:01.40. Rating: B
Dec. 18 - Worked with the popular Jess's Dream in 23 flat to the top of the lane, was much the best while geared down finishing a half-length to the good in 47.40, and galloped out sharply in 1:00.80. Rating: B+

HARD SCUFFLE (7)
Jan. 25 - Was being asked alongside four-year-old Aggrandizement through okay fractions of 24.40, 50.60, and out 1:05.20. Rating: B-
Jan. 17 - Was being asked finishing two lengths behind Battle Midway in 37.20 for the final three furlongs and galloped out 1:02.20. Rating: C+
Dec. 13 - Was being asked but was not match, by eighth lengths, to Mountain Cry from the gate. Rating: C+
Dec. 6 - Was urged some finishing a length behind Mountain Cry in an average clocking. Rating: C+

Race 3

SENOR GRITS (3)
Jan. 26 - Worked with Leparoux aboard in 24.20 to the top of the lane, was in hand to the wire in 48.40, and galloped out very nicely in 1:01.20, 1:15 flat. Rating: B+
Jan. 20 - Was shuffling his feet a bit while urged along in 49 flat and out 1:04.40. Rating: B-
Jan. 7 - Was asked on his wrong lead but through good fractions of 23.80, 48 flat, and out with good energy in 1:00.40, 1:14.80. Rating: B
Dec. 15 - Was on his wrong lead but was going easily in 24.40 for the final quarter-mile and galloped out with good energy in 1:02.40, 1:15.60. Rating: B

Race 10

TESTA ROSSI (FR) (1)
Jan. 26 - Worked with Cay Dancer inside the cones in the middle of a rainstorm in 23.60 to the top of the lane, was not asked for much effort to the wire in a very sharp half-mile, and galloped out an awesome five furlongs in 59 flat. Rating: A-
Jan. 19 - Was lightly urged alongside Cay Dancer through nice fractions of 13.20, 37.60, 1:01.19, and out 1:16 flat. Rating: B+
Jan. 12 - Worked inside the cones alongside Danza Cavallo in 24.40 to the top of the lane, finished well under light urging to the wire in 47.80, and galloped out nicely in 59.20, 1:13.80 for a full six furlongs. Rating: B+
Dec. 29 - Worked with Summer Moon inside the cones in 13.20, 36.20, was traveling better while just urged a tad late to the line in 1:00.60, and galloped out well in 1:13.40. Rating: B

ROSALIND (2)
Jan. 24 - Pretty solid dirt series in blinkers while always second best to Slumber (GB) going back to Dec. 13. She was second best to Rubindy this morning while asked some in 25.40 for the final quarter-mile and galloped out 1:02.20. Rating: B-

JULIE'S LOVE (GB) (9)
Jan. 22 - Two okay moves over the Palm Meadows turf course alongside Salonsun (GER) for this mare. She was not asked for much effort around the wide dogs this morning through splits of 13.60, 38.80, and 1:05 flat. Rating: B-

Race 11

AMI'S FLATTER (3)
Jan. 27 - Was moving well without being asked through splits of 24 flat and 49.20. Rating: B
Jan. 21 - Was going easily and moving well through fractions of 12.60, 37.40, 1:02 flat, and out nicely in 1:15.20. Rating: B
Jan. 14 - Went well while in hand through good fractions of 24 flat, 48 flat, and out 1:02.40. Rating: B

COOMER (10)
Jan. 24 - Was moving well late while just urged a tad past the wire in 24.60, 48.40, 1:00.60, and galloped out well for a Maker trainee in 1:14.60. Rating: B
Jan. 17 - Was asked along late in 24.60 for the final quarter-mile. Rating: B-
Dec. 27 - Was five lengths better than Smokem Kitten and Cold Spice while in hand through splits of 35 flat, 1:01 flat, and out 1:15.40. Rating: B
Dec. 10 - Went well without much ask through sharp fractions of 23.60, 47.40, and out 1:02 flat. Rating: B

OCEAN KNIGHT (11)
Jan. 23 - Went 24 flat to the top, was just going easily into a strong headwind in a sharp 48.40, and galloped out with great energy in 1:10.80, 1:16.60. This may be Mclaughlin's best shot at the Derby. Rating: B+
Jan. 16 - Was just urged a tad late through splits of 36.60, 1:01 flat, and out well in 1:15.20. Rating: B
Jan. 8 - Was just going easily with the rider up in the irons in a solid final three furlongs of 36.40. Rating: B

Race 12

PRINCESS MARIAH (1)
Jan. 21 - Was in blinkers alongside Bourbon Soul around the wide dogs in 25.20 to the top, was well in hand to the wire in a sharp 49.19, and galloped out with great energy in 1:02.80. Mare is doing well right now and took nicely to the new equipment. Rating: B+
Jan. 7 - Was not asked for much effort around the very wide dogs finishing a half-length behind the good Bugle through splits of 25.40, 51.39, and out well in 1:06.40. Rating: B

LOOKOUT RAVEN (4)
Jan. 27 - Was better than Place Card while going easily around the very wide dogs through splits of 26 flat, 51.60, and out 1:08.40. Rating: B
Jan. 20 - Was lightly urged alongside Empress Maker around the wide dogs through fractions of 12.60, 1:03 flat, and out 1:20.80. Rating: B-

TAM SCR/CHG'S

SA SCR/CHG'S

Thank you sir.