Big Daddy B no longer under radar
OLDSMAR, Fla. – Big Daddy B took a big step forward in his first start for trainer Pedro J. Sobarzo on Nov. 26, rallying from just off the pace to win a $16,000 starter handicap by 1 1/2 lengths and earning a career-high 82 Beyer Speed Figure. He scored at odds of 37-1 that day and will be a far shorter price in the featured eighth race Friday at Tampa Bay Downs, a first-level, $22,500 allowance at one mile on turf.
Big Daddy B was carrying only 114 pounds in his most recent start and will tote a career-high 125 pounds on Friday, spotting his rivals three to seven pounds. But Sobarzo said that shouldn’t matter because the 5-year-old gelding is on the rise.
“I think he’ll win easy,” he said. “He’s a good horse.”
Friday’s race drew a field of nine horses ages 3 and up for the turf, plus one entrant for the main track only. Among the major players is San Dimas, who will make his first start since finishing fourth in the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby on the synthetic surface at Golden Gate Fields in February. Trainer Eoin Harty said the horse needed time off after having an operation to remove a chip from his ankle.
San Dimas turned in a bullet workout Monday, four furlongs in 48.60 seconds, his fifth workout here in the last six weeks.
“He’s been off for quite a while, and he might be short a work,” Harty said. “I would have liked to have had enough time to put a few slower, longer works into him. This is the perfect race for him, but it came up a little quickly in the condition book, and that’s my only concern. But I think if he gets a ground-saving, patient ride, he’ll be very competitive.”
KEY CONTENDERS
Big Daddy B, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 82-67-67
◗ His most recent start came after a two-month layoff and was his first race with jockey Eddie Dominguez, who retains the mount.
San Dimas, by Hard Spun
Last 3 Beyers: 80-67-64
◗ He’s made three consecutive starts on synthetic surfaces but raced creditably in both of his turf starts.
Itsnotezbeinbreezy, by Kitalpha
Last 3 Beyers: 67-78-65
◗ The Beyer from his most recent start doesn’t stand out, but he was impressive in scoring by 2 1/2 lengths as the 2-5 favorite in that maiden special weight race Nov. 26. He’s had two maintenance half-mile workouts here since then.
◗ He made two starts in Grade 3 races at Arlington Park over the spring and summer, finishing sixth in both the Arlington Classic and American Derby, losing by 3 1/4 and 4 1/4 lengths.