Tampa Bay Downs pick of the day for May 8

Ideal conditions are expected at Tampa Bay Downs on Friday, and Race 5 brings together seven fillies and mares for an optional-claiming allowance event at 5 furlongs on turf.

#7 No Mercy Percy will look to take advantage of a favorable setup in a speed-laden field.

All seven runners have set the pace at some point in their last 10 starts, and a contested scenario appears likely, with #1 Lady Nina, #2 O’Keefe, #4 Regal Chant, #5 Dealer’s Girl, and #6 Puntersville all capable of winging it through an opening quarter-mile in less than 22 seconds.

No Mercy Percy won in frontrunning fashion earlier in her career, but the 6-year-old mare became more tractable in 2019, when she posted a 1-1-2 record from five starts. After a tough journey last time out on dirt, when she was compromised by an inside trip behind a slow pace, No Mercy Percy can establish a perfect stalking position from her outside post, and the speed is more than likely to come back to her in the late stages.

The switch back to turf is no concern, as No Mercy Percy won over the course and distance last year, and the Don Roberson-trained chestnut adds the services of jockey Antonio Gallardo. Tampa’s leading rider has a 20% win rate on turf, and Gallardo should have his mount poised to strike turning for home.

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