Holland's North American Spot Plays for Apr. 26

By Tim Holland

Gulfstream Park

Race 3

Trainer Barboza wins with 19% of his second-time starters and sends out #8 Queen Letizia (9-2), who showed little facing better on grass in her debut in February. Barboza has won with 16% of his runners at this meet and daughter of Khozan is out of a stakes-winning mare, who has produced four winners. Dark bay can show more here with apprentice Torres in the saddle.

Race 5

Blinkers are added to #4 Thissmytime (9-2) in her first start for trainer O’Connell off a weakening third-place finish after vying for the early lead in her debut at Belmont in September. Daughter of decent young sire Carpe Diem has been working well for O’Connell, who wins with 16% of her runners that have not raced for 90 days or more. 3-year-old can be on or near the early lead with Davis riding.

Race 11

Maiden claimers on the grass for the finale with blinkers added to #8 Breakaway Romance (10-1). Son of good turf sire Hat Tricks gets class relief off two tries in maiden special weight events, most recently when fading to finish unplaced at this distance in his first start on grass. Trainer Colebrook wins with 10% of runners with blinkers for the first time and dark bay can be forwardly placed from the start with Juarez taking the mount.

Tampa Bay Downs

Race 6

#10 Tony’s Rose (8-1) makes her first start for trainer Sweezey and has not been seen since breaking her maiden at this distance at Belterra last August in her second outing. Daughter of 14% grass sire Tonalist is out of Sweet Emma Rose, who finished second in the Queen Mary (G2) at Royal Ascot. Sweezey wins with a slightly low 9% of his runners that have not raced for 90 days or more but has won with 15% of starters this meet. Filly has been working forwardly and can be running from just off the pace under Wales, who won with four of his last 16 rides for the barn.

Race 9

Trainer Arriagada wins with 18% of his runners in claiming events and saddles #9 Venezuelan Warrior (9-2). 4-year-old has won one of three starts on this track and comes off an unplaced effort facing slightly better here earlier this month. Arriagada has won with 17% of his runners at this meet and gelding should find a solid pace to close into with the addition of blinkers likely to bring some improvement.

Oaklawn Park

Race 6

Not an abundance of early speed entered here may bode well for a front runner, such as #10 Love My Honey (12-1), who had to be used to get to the lead after a slow break in her latest three weeks ago in her first start after a short break. Daughter of Shackleford makes her third outing for trainer Vance, who wins with 17% of his runners second off a layoff. 4-year-old figures to be sent early with Thompson in the irons.

Race 8

Some well-bred maiden fillies going 6 furlongs include #4 Crown Jewel (8-1), who has not been seen since fading to finish unplaced at Keeneland in her debut in October. Daughter of Medaglia d’Oro is a half-sister to Multiple Choice, winner of the Jaipur (G3), and has been working well for trainer Asmussen, who wins with 22% of his second-time starters. Dark bay can show more here under Santana, who has won with 21% of his rides for the barn in the past two months.

Race 10

Trainer DiVito wins with 9% of runners that have not raced for 90 days or more and saddles #8 Shilah Baby (8-1), who has not been seen since fading to finish fifth after leading early at Churchill in November. Gray’s recent works include a bullet 4-furlong move in :46 3/5 this month for DiVito, who has won with 13% of starters at this meet. Daughter of Graydar appears to be the one to catch with Baze in the saddle.