Holland's North American Spot Plays for May 13

by Tim Holland

Handicapper Tim Holland has some plays on Wednesday at Tampa Bay Downs, Will Rogers Downs, and Fonner Park.

Tampa Bay Downs

Race 4

Trainer Wilkes wins with 17% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days and saddles #3 Falkirk (4-1), who has not been seen since closing to finish fifth in his debut at Churchill in September behind the talented pair of South Bend and Answer In. Son of Cairo Prince is a half-brother to three winners and has been working forwardly for his return for Wilkes, who has won with 13% of his runners at this meet. Gray can be along from off the pace with Gallardo riding.

Race 6

Newcomer #4 Exclusive Donald (6-1) has a good win early pedigree being by 11% first-out sire Exclusive Quality and out of a mare by Two Punch, whose offspring win 12% of their first outings. Gelding’s works include a solid 5-furlong move in 1:01 2/5 last month for trainer Hamm, who wins with 14% of his first-time starters and who has won with 12% of his runners this meet. Bay appears ready for a good first outing with Lopez in the irons.

Race 7

Claimers going one mile on grass include #5 Classy of Course (7-2), who weakened to finish second over the course and distance at this level after leading early in her latest last month. Daughter of Awesome of Course has a record of 7-2-2-2 on this turf and trainer McGoey has won with 19% of runners at this meet. Dark bay figures to be the one to catch again with Centeno remaining aboard.

Race 8

#11 Zechariah (10-1) faded to finish unplaced after pressing the early leader at this level in his latest in early-March in his second start since being claimed by Kent Sweezey. 5-year-old has won 1-of-4 starts on this oval and Sweezey wins with 21% of his claimers. Son of Kitten’s Joy has tactical speed and can be in good position throughout under Wales, who has won with 14% of his rides for the barn in the past 60 days.

Will Rogers Downs

Race 2

A couple of first-time starters in this maiden worth a look include #3 Elle Z (7-2). Trainer Hartman wins with just 5% of his first-time starters, but filly is by 14% first out sire City Zip and posted a sharp 5-furlong work in :50 4/5 from the gate at Oaklawn 12 days ago. Chestnut appears ready for a good first outing as does #9 Lady Fatma (3-1), who worked 4-furlongs in :47 2/5 at Keeneland four days ago for trainer Meah, who won with one of her first two starters at this meet.

Race 4

#11 Wood Hi (20-1) makes his first start for trainer Bravo off a closing fourth in his debut over 6-furlongs here last month. Son of speedy sire Chitoz is a half-brother to one winner and has worked well since his first outing for Bravo, who wins with 20% of his runners overall in maiden special weight events. Gelding can show more here under Eikleberry, who has won with 17% of his rides for the barn in the past 60 days.

Race 7

#12 Heza Wild Ride (6-1) has not been seen since finishing unplaced after a slow start at Prairie Meadows last August in his second outing. Recent works include a solid 5-furlong move in 1:00 2/5 here nine days ago for trainer Ashford, who wins with 15% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days. Son of Sidney’s Candy showed some early run in his debut and can be forwardly placed from the start with Tohill retaining the mount.

Race 8

Trainer Hartman has done well with few runners here and saddles #2 Shesomajestic (5-2), who comes off a fading unplaced effort after leading early at this distance at Sunland in March. Hartman wins at a 15% rate with horses returning from a 46-90 day layoff, and filly has won 2-of-8 career starts over 6-furlongs. 4-year-old figures to be the one to catch under Tohill, who won on both of barn’s recent winners here.

Fonner Park

Race 5

Claimers going 6-furlongs include #5 Innocent Storm (2-1), who was last seen when second over the track and distance as the favorite last month in her second start after a long break. Dark bay has a record of 19-5-6-4 on this oval and trainer Mitchell wins with 21% of runners third time off a layoff. 8-year-old can be in good position throughout under Wood, who has won with 24% of rides for the barn in the past two months.

Race 8

Another runner from the Mitchell barn with claims is #8 Kurious Kennedy (6-1). Dark bay has hit the board in 4-of-5 starts on this oval and comes off a fourth-place finish over the track and distance for Kennedy, who wins with 14% of runners in claiming events. Daughter of Flat Out should find a decent pace to close into with Wood remaining aboard.