Tampa Bay Downs: Betting an all-stakes Pick 3 on Feb. 6

Racing at Tampa Bay Downs. (Photo by SV Photography)

February 4th, 2021

Hoping to build your bankroll in advance of Saturday’s Sam F. Davis S. (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs? Then you need to check out the three undercard stakes races.

The $175,000 Tampa Bay S. (G3), the $150,000 Suncoast S., and the $175,000 Endeavour S. (G3) precede the Sam F. Davis on Saturday’s action-packed card. The three races are arranged in consecutively, so let’s put together a Pick 3 ticket on a $30 budget.

Race 8: Tampa Bay (G3, 1 1/16 miles on turf, 3:30 p.m. ET)

#12 Greyes Creek looks tough to beat for top turf trainer Chad Brown, who has won five races from 14 starts at Tampa Bay Downs this winter. The son of Pioneerof the Nile possesses a wicked turn of foot, which he used to nab a one-mile allowance at Gulfstream Park last month.

With Brisnet Late Pace ratings of 100 and 102, Greyes Creek will be tough to hold off down the lane. The far outside post is a concern, but there is plenty of pace in the Tampa Bay, which could produce a strung-out field and allow Greyes Creek to save ground around the first turn.

I’ll take a stand and single Greyes Creek to kick off the Pick 3.

Race 9: Suncoast S. (1 mile and 40 yards, 4:02 p.m. ET)

The improving #7 Gulf Coast showed determination to win the one-mile Cash Run S. at Gulfstream last month, by a half-length, over #5 Honorifique. The race came back quick on the Brisnet Speed rating scale, which stamps these two fillies as the runners to beat at Tampa.

I’ll also toss in #4 Curlin’s Catch. Following a couple of so-so efforts over the Woodbine Tapeta course in the fall, the daughter of Curlin switched to dirt for a one-mile maiden race at Gulfstream and led all the way to win by 2 3/4 lengths. This effort was flattered when runner-up Tabor Hall returned to win her next start.

Curlin’s Catch appears capable at price in the Suncoast.

Race 10: Endeavour (G3, 1 1/16 miles on turf, 4:32 p.m. ET)

Brown holds a strong hand with #5 Counterparty Risk, who charged hard to finish second by a head in the Dec. 26 Lady of Shamrock S. at Santa Anita. But I prefer the chances of #6 New York Girl, who will make her second stateside start for trainer Bill Mott.

Formerly a Group 1 competitor in Ireland, New York Girl produced a big effort in a Dec. 31 allowance racing 1 1/16 miles at Gulfstream Park. After she rated a few lengths off the lead, New York Girl rallied strongly under a hand ride to score by 1 3/4 lengths.

New York Girl appeared to have something left in the tank, so I’m excited to see what she can accomplish in the Endeavour. If she takes even a small step forward, she can upset Counterparty Risk to conclude our Pick 3.