Today’s spotlight is on Tampa Bay Downs, where they have a Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks prep races. In the next article, we will focus on the Suncoast Stakes which is on the Oaks, and the Sam F. Davis, which is the Derby trail.
Tampa also has a couple of stakes races earlier in the card today, and we will take a look at those other two races. We have the Pelican Stakes, which is a race for older sprinters going six furlongs. The race after that is the Minaret Stakes, which is the filly and mare equivalent.
We will take a look at these two supporting stakes races on today’s Tampa Bay Downs card.
Tampa Bay Downs Race 5 – Pelican Stakes
We begin with the Pelican, and a field of seven older horses are entered here. Favored in this race is the 2 Nutella Fella (2/1 morning line). He is a Grade 1 winner, winning the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga at 54/1 odds in 2023. He fared well in his lone 2024 race, also at Saratoga, returning during the Belmont week at Saratoga finishing third in the Woody Stephens.
There is a good sign after these two long layoffs as he returns here today almost a month after showing back up at Tampa Bay Downs. He finished second in an optional claiming race in preparation for today’s race. This colt shortens up from this seven-furlong race looking to put two good races in a row to start the year.
The 4 Caramel Chip (5/2 ML) comes in off of a third-place finish at Gulfstream against optional claiming company. Before that he finished fourth in the Mr. Prospector, which White Abarrio used to prep and win the Pegasus World Cup. He will be back a few lengths back and look to make a move in the stretch.
The 7 Life Is Precious (8/1 ML) won last time out in an optional claiming race here at Tampa. The race before, he won but was disqualified for lugging in with an eighth to go. But he does have an outside post which would help him stalk the pace here. But is he fast enough to keep up?
The 5 Pure Class (5/1 ML) has a win and a second in two tries here at Tampa Bay Downs. He closed last time out to finish second in a Florida-bred stakes in December. He returns here and should be closing late. His win here at Tampa is at today’s distance.
Joe’s Race 5 Pick
The question to me is whether Nutella Fella needed that race last time out or not. He probably did because he fired two bullets since that race. But did he go too race in that three-furlong work last week?
I’m trying to beat the favorite here with Caramel Chip. He is the most likely horse that will beat the favorite here today. I will call this 4-2-5-7 here with a $20 win wager on the 4.
Tampa Bay Downs Race 6 – Minaret Stakes
The fillies and mares are next and they go the same distance as the previous race here at Tampa Bay Downs. Favored is the 4 Nic’s Style (7/5 ML) who has won five of six races in her career. This mare will be near the front and looking to take over in the stretch.
The 6 Dazzling Blue (3/1 ML) is running her second race off of a layoff after missing by a head last time out in an optional claimer at Gulfstream. She has shown versatility coming from further off the pace than she was last month. She might be on the lead here if she runs the same race at last time out. In that last race she was never more than a half-length behind throughout.
The 8 Miuccia (9/2 ML) won at Tampa last time out in her return after a short break. She dueled and took over in the stretch last time out here at Tampa Bay Downs. She could be stalking here from that outside post here today.
The 5 Ruthless Rua (6/1 ML) was bumped around at the start last time out at Gulfstream Park and finished fourth. She makes the trip up I-75 to Tampa Bay Downs here today where she should be close to the pace as well.
Joe’s Race 6 Pick
Nic’s Style is the class of this field and I don’t see anyone can beat her in this field today. I also highly doubt she will be higher than the 7/5 morning line.
I’m calling this 4-6-5-8 and my play is $20 to win on the 4. Best of luck everyone and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!