Playing the Pick 5 on Festival Preview Day at Tampa Bay

February 6th, 2020

A quartet of excellent stakes events will be hosted by Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday. The fantastic 12-race card is loaded with quality animals and competitive races, including a fine sequence to cap the big day of action.

Here is my take on the late Pick 5 (Races 8-12):

Race 8 – Endeavour (G3)

Fillies and mares will kick things off on the turf in a 1 1/16-mile affair. The stellar #7 Got Stormy (4-5) is the clear one to beat and will be a logical single on many tickets. Casse charge is all class and will beat this field with something resembling her best.

But if she were to be upended on Saturday, the Pick 5 return could be monstrous. I loved the recent allowance romp by #8 Phantom Opening (8-1) on the course last time out. Arch mare looked the part in her second with blinkers on, and she will track the favorite every step of the way under Gallardo. I will include her along with the favorite.

Race 9 – Suncoast

A deep affair for sophomore fillies lacks a clear standout in a talented cast. #1 Lucrezia (5-1), #4 Motu (7-2), #5 Comical (3-1), #7 Blame Debbie (9-2), and #8 Turtle Trax (12-1), all make a lot of sense to me as win contenders.

Race 10 – Tampa Bay (G3)

A grassy test at 1 1/16 miles attracted nine in a well-matched group. #1 March to the Arch (7-2), #4 Caribou Club (5-2), #6 Halladay (6-1), #7 Hembree (9-2) and #8 Real Story (4-1), are difficult for me to separate. I will use each of the quintet in the third leg.

Race 11 – Sam F. Davis (G3)

Unbeaten #4 Independence Hall (6-5) looks to be well spotted in the feature. I believe that the Constitution colt will live up to the hype and move his mark to a perfect 4-for-4 following the Sam F. Davis.

Race 12 – Claiming

Finale is for fillies and mares traveling a mile on the turf in a $16,000 claiming event. #3 Itsagimme’s Girl (7-2) will be formidable if ready off the bench for Bennett. Speedy chestnut likes the course and has come out on top in her last two claiming assignments.

I will also use #6 Mad Grace (12-1) for the hot Jordan Blair. English Channel mare has improved since arriving in this barn four back, and she was second in her lone appearance on this turf course.

MORE BETS: Sophomore spot plays at Tampa Bay Downs