Tampa Bay Downs: Betting the $2,997 Super High 5 carryover

The Saturday card at Tampa Bay Downs is kicking off on an enticing note with a non-jackpot $2,997 Super High 5 carryover on the table.

The prize pool for the $1 wager is available to chase right off the bat in Race 1, a $12,500 claimer for horses who have never won two races. The distance is one mile and 40 yards on dirt, and eight horses have entered, which works out to 6,720 possible Super High 5 outcomes.

Let’s take a horse-by-horse look at the field:

#1 San Andres (6-1): Six straight top-four finishes against $8,000 claiming company at Tampa suggest San Andres is a logical threat to finish in the top five, even while stepping up slightly in class. His Brisnet Speed ratings fit reasonably well against Saturday’s field.

#2 Dr Schuster (5-2): Dr Schuster faltered to fifth place after pressing a strong pace in a $25,000 starter optional claimer sprinting seven furlongs at Tampa last time out. But in his most recent start running long, Dr Schuster led all the way to dominate a $16,000 maiden claimer at Tampa by 7 3/4 lengths. A return to that level of form will make him dangerous.

#3 Magic Hooh (7-5): The morning line favorite exits a runner-up finish in a $16,000 claimer over this track and distance. Descending to the $12,500 level should make Magic Hooh tough to beat.

#4 Shipwreck (30-1): Three straight defeats by double-digits margins in $8,000 claimers at Tampa suggest Shipwreck is a longshot to finish in the top five while ascending to the $12,500 level.

#5 Calzone (12-1): Calzone ran well when third in an $8,000 claimer over this track and distance three weeks ago, coming home 4 3/4 lengths ahead of fourth-place finisher San Andres, but it’s worth noting Calzone had finished behind San Andres three times earlier in 2024. Calzone isn’t guaranteed to maintain his newfound edge in their fifth meeting of the year.

#6 Duke of Dooly (10-1): Duke of Dooly has lots of speed and wired a $10,000 maiden claimer over this track and distance two starts back, but he subsequently faded to finish fourth (6 3/4 lengths behind Calzone) in an $8,000 claimer at Tampa. He’ll need improvement to factor on Saturday.

#7 Shemightdancesalsa (12-1): Although Shemightdancesalsa has missed the board in two recent starts against $16,000 and $25,000 claiming competition, three starts back she ran second in a $12,500 claimer sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs at Gulfstream Park. She’s a mare taking on males, but Shemightdancesalsa’s best Brisnet Speed ratings suggest she can factor while dropping in class under apprentice jockey Mariangelys Almedina, who rides with a seven-pound weight allowance.

#8 Midnight Onyx (5-1): Hasn’t finished better than fifth in a quartet of starts since returning from a long layoff. Three came against tougher competition, but Midnight Onyx exits a fifth-place finish in a $12,500 claimer sprinting six furlongs at Gulfstream and needs improvement to challenge. Perhaps tackling a route distance for the first time will trigger the necessary move forward.

Here’s how we’ll bet the Super High 5:

• $1 Super High 5: 3 with 2 with 1,5,7,8 with 1,5,7,8 with 1,5,6,7,8 ($36)
• $1 Super High 5: 3 with 1,5,7,8 with 2 with 1,5,7,8 with 1,5,6,7,8 ($36)
  Total: $72

Good luck!