TAMPA BAY DOWNS - SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022
(3:14) TAM 7th Race – Chad Brown holds the aces in the Hillsborough (G2). Undefeated #5 BLEEKER STREET heads the field, looking to win her fifth straight. The daughter of Quality Road is proven over this course although we don’t know how much the rain will affect the going. Stablemate #6 ROCKY SKY had an absolutely horrid trip in the Saratoga Invitational (G3 – soon to be a G1). Chad wisely regrouped with her and the daughter of Rocket Gibraltar should revert to her solid Irish form this afternoon, especially if there is give in the ground. #7 RUNAWAY RUMOR should be considered. The Flintshire filly has run well against graded company, gets Jose Ortiz for the first time and she owns the top turf figure in this field.
(3:49) TAM 8th Race – Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher is particularly adept with horses coming off layoffs. He sends out #4 DYNAMIC ONE for the Challenger (G3). The son of Union Rags was a decent three-year-old and should be even better at four. His works are solid, he handles off going and Irad Ortiz, Jr. sticks with him. Fellow Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey will saddle #3 GREATEST HONOUR. The son of Tapit has won three of seven starts while never finishing out of the money. He’ll get Lasix for the first time this afternoon and certainly has claims to the top prize with brother Jose Ortiz in the irons.
(4:51) TAM 10th Race – If the Columbia Stakes stays on the grass, the Shug McGaughey-trained #6 FORT WASHINGTON is the preferred option. The son of War Front has turf experience, gets Lasix and a jockey switch to Hall of Famer Javier Castellano. If the race is switched to the main track, #3 KITTEN MISCHIEF would be the top contender. The Into Mischief gelding has won on an off track, although it wouldn’t surprise us if he liked the sod as well. No doubt jockey Manny Franco will be more aggressive with the Jonathan Thomas trainee today.
(5:23) TAM 11th Race – #4 CLASSIC CAUSEWAY ran a lovely race in the Sam F. Davis (G3), his first race of 2022. Trained to perfection by Brian Lynch, he basically overpowered the field. There are a couple of interesting newcomers in the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2), but the son of Giant’s Causeway from a Thunder Gulch mare owns a pedigree that absolutely screams mud, he’s been breezing great since his comeback win and gets the benefit of jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. Second in the ‘Davis (G3), #9 SHIPSATIONAL is two-for-two on off tracks. The son of Midshipman, from the Eddie Barker shedrow, has won three of five lifetime starts and is also out of a Thunder Gulch mare. Jockey Manny Franco takes the reins this afternoon as Javier Castellano jumps ship for one of the new faces, #8 MAJOR GENERAL. From the Pletcher barn, that one is a son of Constitution who has won both of his starts. Unraced since September, he’ll need his best effort to win but the Triple Crown is a long game. #3 HAPPY BOY ROCKET impressed us when breaking his maiden at Gulfstream Park in January. Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott has been pointing the son of Runhappy to this race and a big effort can be expected with Junior Alvarado back aboard.
“Here’s hoping the next ticket you buy is a winning one.” Dick Riley