By Joe Quillen
Wednesday 1/3/24 – Tampa Bay Downs Race 9
Let’s head down to Tampa today’s edition of Quills Picks winners as we will take a look at their finale, the ninth race on their card. This is a one mile race on the turf for four year olds and up. There are 14 horses entered for the race, but only 10 will run.
It looks like the race will stay on the turf, so the main track only entry, #11 My Man Vito (10/1 morning line) will be scratched. The 12 Souper Energizer (12/1 ML), 13 King of Hollywood (10/1 ML) and 14 Mr. Kringle (10/1 ML) will need scratches from the main body of the field to enter. For those that don’t know, some tracks do that to try to have a full field even if someone scratches.
The 9 Space Runner (3/1 ML) ran well since he returned to the races on October 21. He ran well in $25,000 optional claimers on the synthetic course at Guifstream and won last time out at Tampa a couple of weeks ago.
The 10 Happy Runner (5/1 ML) won first race off the layoff winning on the turf going slightly longer in allowance company. He could be ready to pounce on the outside when they turn for home.
The 1 The Judge and Jury (7/2 ML) will get some money after his 7 furlong score last time out at Tampa, but he’s only run one lifetime at a mile or over, and it was a one mile race on the synthetic at Turfway at the beginning of his career. I wouldn’t touch this horse with your money let alone mine.
The 2 Megacity (8/1 ML) faded last time out in his first race after a layoff. He probably won’t win, but I think he’ll be in the top four here as he should be a little more fit.
The 5 Magical Marriage (8/1 ML) is second race off a layoff after dropping back to fourth last time out. He shortens up slightly and I think he steals this race at a nice price.
I’m calling this race 5-10-9-2 here in the Tampa Bay finale, and my play is $20 to win on the 5. Good luck everyone and catch you tomorrow for a look at another race.
Tuesday result
My pick Rerally was consistent just like the last few races as I cited in yesterday’s article, but he could not hold off the favored Dust Devil in winning the sixth race at Parx. No winner for me here, but even without the win, I do feel like I am reading the program rather well though I don’t have a winner yet in the new year.
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