With Oaklawn delaying the Rebel and Honeybee Stakes to tomorrow, it allows a variety of tracks to be highlights on my stream Also Eligible and here on Bleacher Brothers. We will take advantage of that delay and take a look at two turf sprint races, both going five furlongs.
First, we will look at the Lighting City Stakes, where we have older fillies and mares sprinting on the turf. About an hour later, we will look at their finale, the Turf Dash Stakes. Both races drew 14 horses, but only up to 12 will run today.
Tampa Bay Downs Race 8 – Lightning City Stakes
We begin with the fillies and mares here in the Lightning City Stakes. The 11 Risk Threshold (2/1 morning line) is favored in this turf stakes race. She appears to be the speed in this race, but this is the first time that we will be racing less than six furlongs on the turf. But she will be on the outside and might have horses that will be close enough to the front that she won’t be able to get all the way over towards the rail.
The 2 Sol Hope (3/1 ML) finished third last time out at Gulfstream Park last month after a three-month break. She has closed well in previous races, but last time out she wasn’t catching a loose on the lead winner. That race last month will help her here today.
The 8 Bahamian Moon (15/1 ML) loves this five-furlong distance, especially here at Tampa Bay Downs. Last time out she closed to win as the favorite after facing the boys on the turf the previous two times at this distance here at Tampa. I would not be surprised if she is there at the end here today.
The 9 Great Venezuela (5/1 ML) could not get by the winner last time out in the Sunshine Filly and Mare Turf Stakes at Gulfstream last time out. She won her only five furlong test in October, also at Gulfstream. The shorter distance may allow her to be off the pace more and make a move like she did in that October win.
Joe’s Lightning City Stakes Pick
It looks like Risk Threshold may be challenged on the front end here today. I am going to take a chance in beating here today. Great Venezuela will be back running at five furlongs today looking to go two for two at the distance. I think Bahamian Moon will get a piece here.
I’m calling this race 9-8-11-2 and my play is $20 to win on the 9.
Tampa Bay Downs Race 10 – Turf Dash Stakes
Note that at least one of the “also eligibles” will run here today. The 1 Super Chow (15/1 ML) will be scratched to run in the Gulfstream Park Sprint. He never ran on the turf and it makes sense he stays on the other Florida coast.
The 8 Our Shot (8/5 ML) races for the first time in four months here today. He rallied wide to win the Grade 2 Woodford at Keeneland. He will be closing just like he did the last three times he has run.
The 11 Isivunguvungu (3/1 ML) had traffic issues at the end of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar in November. He returns here with this as a potential prep race for a race in Dubai in about six weeks. He will be closing here today but is this more getting ready for a trip to the Middle East?
The 6 Reef Runner (12/1 ML) was bumped around at the start of the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint and was very wide and still finished third. If there is enough of a set up here today, he can make a run for it in the stretch again today.
The 2 Souper Quest (4/1 ML) is the speed in this race and has put some blistering fractions on the tote boards in races the last couple of years. He will go, but if the field keeps up early on in this race, will be fade like he did in the last two races?
Joe’s Turf Dash Stakes Pick
Things are setting up for Our Shot, Isivunguvungu and Reef Runner nicely today. Souper Quest looks to be the speed of this race and might be going way too fast today. Isivunguvungu has a shot here, but I think the outside post will hurt him. I’ll take the favorite here.
I’ll call this 8-6-11-2 and my play is $20 to win on the 8. Best of luck everyone and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
