Tampa Bay Turf Provides Competitive Races, Wagering Opportunities

The Tampa Bay Downs turf course has become quite popular in recent years. The Florida track offers lush turf which attract many top trainers during the winter.

Tampa Bay Downs- Race 1

Post: 12:32 PM ET; $19.5k Maiden Claiming going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 6

• #2 DEPOLI (2-1) gets the top selection. He shouldn't have trouble with the 6 furlong distance. This one has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #4 MAJESTIC PHAROAH (3-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He goes out for the Sweezey barn and gets Suarez in the irons.
• #3 COX CANYON (6-1) debuts here and feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He goes out for the Harty barn and gets Arroyo in the irons. This one is well bred for this spot.
• #6 PRINCE GHOST (6-1) isn't without hope on debut. He goes out for the O'Connell barn and gets Spanabel in the irons. There is enough in the bloodlines to suggest this one isn’t a total stretch.

Selections: 2 – 4 – 3 – 6

Tampa Bay Downs- Race 2

Post: 12:59 PM ET; $18.5k Maiden Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 8

• #7 WATER FIGHT (9-5) is the top pick. She has races good enough to beat this group.
• #8 LOVE FOREVERAFTER (9-2) debuts here and is the top pick. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Delgado and Rojas.
• #3 GINETTES ON FIRE (5-2) should improve off the first start and appears to be a major player in this race. She could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #2 SUPER CARO (4-1) isn't without hope. She looks to be the class of the field.

Selections: 7 – 8 – 3 – 2

Tampa Bay Downs- Race 3

Post: 1:26 PM ET; $14k Claiming going 1 mile 40 yards on dirt; Entries: 6

• #3 WATCH FOR THE LUTE (3-2) looks best here. He shouldn't have trouble with the 1 mile 40 yard distance. This one has to be respected going out for the combination of Orseno and Camacho.
• #5 SANDY DUDE (7-2) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #1 CHIEF CHARLIE (10-1) is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He looks to be the class of the field. This one could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #4 STRATFORD (6-1) wouldn’t be a total surprise. He makes sense on speed figures. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 1 – 4

Tampa Bay Downs- Race 4

Post: 1:53 PM ET; $17.1k Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 8

• #5 VETERANS BEACH (5-2) gets the top selection. He has the top overall power rating in the group. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #8 SUMMER PALACE (5-1) should be competitive in this spot. He goes out for the Cheeks barn and gets Morales in the irons.
• #3 VINTNER (8-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He makes sense on speed figures. This one could get the right setup in this race.
• #1 MARQUET MALICE (7-2) could get the right pace scenario in this race. This one has been really solid at at these turf route races.

Selections: 5 – 8 – 3 – 1

Tampa Bay Downs- Race 5

Post: 2:20 PM ET; $27k Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 6

• #6 MR. CASH (1-1) is the top pick. He could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end. This one has to be respected going out for the combination of Barboza and Centeno.
• #2 TUNA N STAMPS (6-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He looks to be the class of the field. This one has solid early pace figures which should have him part of the early pace.
• #3 DOUBLE WARRIOR (7-2) fits this group ok. has races good enough to beat this group. This one will likely be out on or near the lead and will look to hold off the charge to the wire.
• #1 GUTHRIE HALL (4-1) feels less like than the other contenders, but this one should be prominent throughout and should be a player in the gimmicks.

Selections: 6 – 2 – 3 – 1

Tampa Bay Downs- Race 6

Post: 2:47 PM ET; $17.1k Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 8

• #6 TAP EM (5-1) looks best here. He will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #1 HARPOON HARRY (3-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He will look to work out a typical turf trip sitting the pocket and tipping out in the lane.
• #3 JOE PHILLIPS (7-2) should be competitive in this spot. He has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #5 THORN (8-1) should be competitive in this spot. He has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 6 – 1 – 3 – 5

Tampa Bay Downs- Race 7

Post: 3:20 PM ET; $15k Maiden Claiming going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 7

• #6 CANDY ARCADE (4-5) gets the top selection. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Delgado and Rojas.
• #4 LEGEND'S SONG (3-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. She has races good enough to beat this group.
• #7 CITY SPEAKER (12-1) is a price horse and isn't without hope. She has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. This one shouldn't have trouble with the 6 furlong distance.
• #5 SENA THE DUCHESS (20-1) feels like the kind of horse that could get a good run in to pop some value on the heavy favorite. She has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 6 – 4 – 7 – 5

Tampa Bay Downs- Race 8

Post: 4:10 PM ET; $17k Maiden Claiming going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 10

• #10 AWESOME STRIKE (7-5) is the top pick. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #1 JOE BRAINS (7-2) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.
• #4 SOUTHERN CIVILITY (5-1) could be involved in the late stages. He has a really balanced run style and could be kicking home with a chance.
• #7 LONG STORY (12-1) is a price horse and seems to be running for the minor placings in this contest. He has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.

Selections: 10- 1 – 4 – 7

Watch and Wager on Horse Racing

Horse racing runs 365 days a year and has offerings across the globe. To watch and wager on the action check out affiliate betting sites including DRF Bets, TVG (BetOnline), and TwinSpires.

Betting News has several free tips and tools that can assist all levels of bettors in finding horses to build wagers around.