Betting With, and Against, Owen Almighty in the Pasco Stakes

A compact field of six three-year-olds will travel seven-eighths over the Tampa Bay Downs dirt in Saturday’s $150,000 Pasco S. The race is led by the Brian Lynch-trained #6 Owen Almighty (4-5) who gets the outside slot in the heat. By Speightstown, the $350,000 yearling purchase debuted at Churchill Downs on June 20 and drew clear by 3 1/2 lengths under the wire in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight event.

Owen Almighty – With

• $15 trifecta key 6 with 4,5 ($30)

Owen Almighty – Against

• $5 trifecta 4,5 with 4,5,6 with 4,5,6 ($20)
• $5 trifecta key 4 with 5,6 ($10)

The Kentucky-bred went postward as the 3-5 favorite in the Juvenile S. at Ellis Park in his second assignment and lived up to the hype with a 4 3/4-length romp. In his most recent performance, the bay colt was a clear second behind the talented Jonathan’s Way in the Iroquois S. (G3) beneath the Twin Spires. 

Owen Almighty has utilized his natural early speed combined with a nice turn of foot from his three outings to date, and I feel that kicking off his season at seven furlongs is a wise move. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the assignment. 

The pair of contenders drawn directly inside of the favorite appear to have the best chance for an upset. Maiden winner #4 Rookie Card (3-1) has registered a trio of very good sprint runs in the Empire State to date for trainer Danny Gargan. The son of Adios Charlie, who attracted a final bid of $165,000 at OBS as a juvenile, comes in with a pair of swift half-mile drills at Palm Meadows in advance of his stakes bow, and the Florida-bred will be prominent from the opening bell in his initial try in the Sunshine State. 

#5 Naughty Rascal (5-2) is a dual stakes winner who exits a fine runner-up effort in the Inaugural S. on the course for Gerald Bennett. This bay son of Rogueish has won or placed in each career showing to date and has versatility in his running style, too. This $39,000 auction buy will benefit from having a go over the surface with Edwin Gonzalez in the stirrups.