Brad Free: Cross-country plays for Sunday, April 19, 2020

Action aplenty on Sunday, including a live longshot at Tampa Bay Downs, a standout “single” at Gulfstream Park, and pace makes the race at Gulfstream and Oaklawn Park. Spot plays for an afternoon with a mandatory payout in the Gulfstream pick six.

Tampa Bay Downs, race 5 (2:45 p.m. Eastrern) – Temptation Eyes (1) smoked her final quarter in 23.58 seconds winning a maiden-claiming turf mile last out, fastest recent finish by any in this field. She rated kindly and won professionally in just her second start. Stylish. Her figure came back at just a 58 Beyer due to the slow pace.

The low fig is fine for Temptation Eyes, it inflates her price, listed at 12-1. Her trainer, Anthony Granitz, is 4 for 5 the past year in turf routes with last-out maiden winners (one winner was disqualified for interference). The bottom line is that Temptation Eyes might be better than her 58 Beyer or morning line. Live at a price, turf only.

Gulfstream Park, race 6 (3:23 p.m. Eastern) – The “cross-country cinch” for Sunday is Bareeqa (3), a stakes winner that qualifies for this starter allowance based on a $16K claiming start in January 2019. Freshened, class of the field, high-figure entrant, Bareeqa stands out as the chalk. Her placement in the pick six sequence is opportune – a single in the first leg. Turf only.

:: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Tampa Bay Downs, race 7 (3:45 p.m. Eastern) – No bet, just curious about well-bred Global Brand (6). Her sprint debut was rock solid, she ran poorly next time out at two turns – 10th without a visible alibi. Sired by War Front, produced by Grade 1 winner Marketing Mix, Golbal Brand should be a runner. Was she overrated? No selection, no bet, merely a curiosity.

Gulfstream Park, race 9 (4:55 p.m. Eastern) – It looks like Blakey (7) could establish a lonely lead in this $8K claiming starter allowance. He crushed nonwinners-of-three claiming rivals last out at this same dirt-mile trip and might be long gone again. Blakey is listed at 6-1.

Oaklawn Park, race 7 (5:06 p.m. Eastern) – Maiden-claiming winner Heros Reward (9) figures loose on the lead in this starter-allowance route, at lower odds than his curiously high 20-1 morning line. Heros Reward crushed last out, the race was validated when runner-up Cold Smoke returned to romp. If he stays the trip, Heros Reward can be gone. A fair price is 5-1.

Oaklawn Park, race 8 (5:38 Eastern) – A potential pace collapse gives route-to-sprint closer Ready Orb Not (6) an upset chance. This starter allowance is loaded with speed, Ready Orb Not will trail early and blast home late. Can she get there? At 8-1, it’s a gamble worth taking.