Wednesday track picks from Garrity — Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Park, and Lone Star Park
We have three plays today, two in Florida and one in Texas. We expect fast dirt and firm turf in all three. Let’s go.
Tampa Bay Downs, Races 4-5-6
Post Times 1:57 pm EDT, 2:27 pm EDT, and 2:57 EDT
The key to this sequence at Tampa Bay is the 5th, an allowance/optional claimer at 6 furlongs on dirt. The even-money favorite, 6-My Boy Lenny, looks like he’s going to have to fall down to lose, but he will be a very, very short price, too short for us to make a win bet. So we will key him in the Pick 3 that includes the race before and after.
The 4th is a wide open 5-furlong turf dash for 2-year-old fillies. There are eight entered, and we think any one of them could win, so we will buy the race by hitting the “all” button. The 6th is an $8,000 claimer at a mile and a sixteenth on dirt for older females, and we like the favorite, 4-Lady Breanna, who’s coming off an excellent race, and we also like 1-Darlindiva, who could get brave on the lead. We will include both of them on our Pick 3 ticket. The bet is as follows: Tampa Bay Downs, Race 4, 50-Cent Pick 3: ALL with 6 with 1, 4. That ticket will cost $8, but those looking for a larger play can play with a larger base wager. We will play it for $1.50, for a total play of $24.
Gulfstream Park, Race 9, 4:13 pm EDT
Allowance, 1 mile, Dirt, 3-Year-olds
The featured race at Gulfstream Park today is a mile allowance for 3-year-olds, and it’s a fascinating race, as entered are three potential Triple Crown starters: 1-Ete Indian, the winner of the Fountain of Youth Stakes; 4-Shivaree, the runner-up in the Florida Derby, and 7-Sole Volante, who won the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs. None of these three colts will make the Belmont Stakes, which is in just ten days, but one or more could end up starting in the Kentucky Derby, which is on September 5.
We like Sole Volante in this spot. Even though there are only seven entrants, quite a few of them are very quick, so quick, in fact, that we are expecting a fast pace. The stretch-running Sole Volante should be able to sit off the fast pace and move past the speedsters when they begin to shorten stride. We think he’s a good horse, we think the race shape will flatter his running style, and we think 9/5 is a square price. We will bet him to win. The bet: Gulfstream Park, Race 9, $40 to win on 7-Sole Volante.
Lone Star Park, Race 5, 4:43 pm EDT
Maiden Special Weight, 1 mile, Turf, 3 & Up
Ten go in this maiden race at a mile on turf. 1-Battleship Bevo is a strong play: he’s decent cruising speed, a strong closing kick, and an inside position that will be a tactical advantage for him. He’s come close in maiden races at this distance before, but we think he will break through and get his picture taken today. Look for him to sit mid-pack early and be moving late. We will bet him to win at 7/2. The bet: Lone Star Park, Race 5, $30 to win on 1-Battleship Bevo.
That’s all for today. Until tomorrow, enjoy the racing, be safe, and, as always, good luck at the windows.