Holland's North America Spot Plays for May 1

by Tim Holland

Gulfstream Park

Race 5

#9 Awesome Action (6-1) gets blinkers added off a second-place finish over the track and distance at this level when claimed by Gilberto Zerpa. Chestnut has a record of 5-1-2-0 on this oval and posted a sharp 4-furlong work in :47 3/5 from the gate nine days ago for Zerpa, who wins with a high 38% of his runners first time off the claim. 4-year-old can be in good early position with Zayas in the saddle.

Race 6

Trainer Clement wins with 20% of his second-time starters and saddles #1 Mo of the West (9-2), who flattened out to finish fifth in her debut over one mile here in early March. Daughter of Uncle Mo is out of a daughter of War Thief, who won the Modesty (G3), and Clement has won with 16% of his runners at this meet. Dark bay should get a good trip breaking from the rail under Gaffalione, who won with 27% of his rides for the barn in the last 60 days.

Race 11

Blinkers are added to #1 Reiterate (6-1), who weakened to finish fourth on the main track in her latest last month. Filly failed to hit the board in one previous start on grass but is a half-sister to two winners on turf and trainer Casse wins with 14% of runners making this surface change. Dark bay can be on or near the early lead with Irad Ortiz taking the mount.

Tampa Bay Downs

Race 3

Claimers on turf include #5 California Sun (12-1), who has not been seen since being eased on dirt at Thistledown in an allowance in September. Son of 11% grass sire Fed Biz won his one previous start on turf and has been working well for trainer Hamm, who wins with 15% of runners that have not raced for 90+ days. Chestnut can be forwardly placed from the start with Lopez up.

Race 5

#10 City Guy (9-2) drops in class with blinkers added off a poor try on the main track here in mid-March in his first outing for trainer Bennett. Son of Temple City is a half-brother to one winner on grass and Bennett wins with 33% of his starters that have not raced for 46-90 days and has won with 26% of runners this meet. Gelding can be more competitive at this level under Mena, who won with two of his last four rides for this barn.

Oaklawn Park

Race 4

#11 Parched (10-1) makes his first start for trainer Kelly Von Hemel and was last seen when leading from the start to win at Turf Paradise in early March. Von Hemel wins with 11% of runners that have not raced for 46-90 days and dark bay has a record of 4-2-0-2 at this distance. Son of Stay Thirsty has posted two decent 4-furlong works on this oval and is likely the one to catch with Thompson riding.

Race 6

An interesting group of maidens include #9 Super Constitution (8-1), a debuting son of excellent young sire Constitution, whose offspring have won 24% of their first outings. Gelding is out of a mare who earned over $1 million and finished second in the Apple Blossom (G1). His works include a quick 4-furlong move in :47 for trainer Robertson, who wins with 21% of his first-time starters. 3-year-old may be ready for a good first outing at decent odds under Talamo, who has won with one of his last nine rides for the barn. #10 Onaway (5-2) may not offer much value coming off a fourth-place finish in his debut here in February, from which race the first three finishers all won next time out. Trainer Cox wins with 26% of his second-time starters and the son of Carpe Diem will be tough to beat with Castellano taking the mount.

Race 8

#10 Antoinette (8-1) may have just needed her latest when coming up short in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) after being in good early position in her first start since December. Daughter of Hard Spun won the Tepin S. two back in one previous start on dirt and trainer Mott wins with 17% of his runners second off a layoff. 3-year-old can be in good position from the start under Velazquez, who has won with three of his last eight rides for Mott.

Race 9

The Fantasy (G3) drew an excellent field including #5 Harvey’s Lil Goil (12-1), who has won her two starts on dirt by a combined 13 1/2 lengths. Daughter of excellent young sire American Pharoah is out of a mare by Tapit, who is a half-sister to Kentucky Derby (G1) winner I’ll Have Another. Gray was last seen when easily winning the Busanda S. at Aqueduct in early February and has been working well at Payson Park for trainer Mott, who wins with 17% of his runners that have not raced for 46-90 days. Filly can be forwardly placed from the start with Garcia in the saddle.

Race 10

Trainer Asmussen wins with 14% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days and saddles #8 La Chancia (4-1), who has not been seen since giving way badly when unplaced in the Charles Town Oaks (G3) in September. Asmussen has been having a good meet and daughter of Uncle Mo is a half-sister to Southern Honey, winner of the Winning Colors (G3). Filly has been working forwardly and can be running from off what should be a solid pace under Santana, who has won with 21% of his rides for the barn in the last two months.