Holland's North American Racing Picks for Apr. 22

by Tim Holland

Handicapper Tim Holland is recommending plays for Tampa Bay Downs, Will Rogers Downs, and Fonner Park on Wednesday.

Tampa Bay Downs

Race 7

An interesting group of maidens going 7-furlongs includes #5 Creed (5-2), a debuting son of young sire Honor Code. Out of a stakes-placed mare, 3-year-old is a sibling to four winners and cost $650K as a yearling. Works include a 4-furlong move in :49 from the gate at Payson Park for trainer McGaughey, who wins with 12% of his first-time starters. Bay appears ready to win at first asking under Gallardo, who has won with two of his last five rides for the barn.

Race 8

Sprinters travel 5-furlongs on grass with #8 Summer Assault (2-1) cutting back in distance off an even third in a one-mile stakes early last month. Trainer Boyce wins with 18% of her runners that have not raced for 46-90 days, and the son of good young turf sire Summer Front has won over the course and distance. Gelding should find a solid pace to close into with Suarez remaining aboard.

Will Rogers Downs

Race 3

Trainer Silva wins with 37% of his runners that won last time out and saddles #4 Miss Perfecta (7-2), who made it four wins in a row when involved from the start at this distance at Turf Paradise last month. Silva has won a race this meet from a limited number of starters, and 4-year-old can be on or near the lead throughout with Cabrera in the saddle.

Race 9

#10 Vallestina (3-1) did not get the best of trips when closing to finish fourth as the favorite in her first start on this oval nine days ago. Trainer Meah has won with 10% of her runners since the beginning of last year and daughter of Leroidesanimaux has won 3-of-10 career starts on dirt. Chestnut can be in good position throughout with Kennedy taking the mount.

Fonner Park

Race 4

No less than 65% of races at this distance have been won in gate-to-wire fashion, and #8 Langs Legend (5-2) appears fastest early here. Son of Langfuhr has a record of 11-1-2-1 on this oval and was involved from the start when a close second in his latest over the track and distance. Trainer Donlin wins with 14% of his sprinters, and chestnut may be best with Martinez remaining aboard.

Race 5

#7 Jack Be Good (3-1) gets class relief off a weakening third-place finish after dueling for the early lead over the track and distance late last month. Trainer Castillo looks for first winner of the meet, but gray has a record of 11-2-1-3 on this oval. 6-year-old figures to be sent early and tough to catch with Haar again in the irons.

Race 9

Trainer Compton won with five of last 11 runners dropping two classes and saddles #5 Racey Reecey (12-1), who was not a factor when facing better over the track and distance nine days ago in her first start since September. Compton has won with 19% of his starters at this meet and mare has won two of 15 starts at this trip. Dark bay can be tough at this level under Fackler, who has won with 23% of his rides for the barn in the past 60 days.