Daddy's Boo has speed-figure edge in turf-mile feature
OLDSMAR, Fla. – Handicappers who focus on Beyer Speed Figures won’t have to search long for a winner in the featured seventh race Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs. The Beyer par for the one-mile turf race is an 82, and Daddy’s Boo just happens to have scored a pair of 82 Beyers in her last two races, making her the only horse in the field to have reached the 80 mark.
The second-level optional $32,000 claimer offers a purse of $24,000 and drew a full field of 10 older fillies and mares, with one additional runner on the also-eligible list.
Daddy’s Boo, a winner of two consecutive turf races at this meet, was entered in a $16,000 starter handicap last Sunday but was scratched by trainer Larry Rivelli when the race was rained off the turf. Saturday’s race might be a better fit for Daddy’s Boo because it is a furlong shorter than the other race, which should aid her front-running style.
“This race actually looks easier,” Rivelli said. “I’m confident. She’s doing good, and she should show her usual speed, so hopefully she can get the job done. Numbers-wise, she’s capable of beating these horses.”
Daddy’s Boo scored by 1 3/4 lengths in a $16,000 claimer going a mile on turf here Dec. 4 and returned to take a $16,000 starter handicap at 1 1/16 miles by 3 3/4 lengths on Dec. 26.
KEY CONTENDERS
Daddy’s Boo, by Sweet Return
Last 3 Beyers: 82-82-38
◗ She owns an excellent 5-for-7 record on turf and will be ridden by top local jockey Antonio Gallardo, who steered her to victory Dec. 4.
Reserved, by Kitten’s Joy
Last 3 Beyers: 72-78-74
◗ Her connections thought enough of her to run her in three stakes, including the Grade 2 Natalma in 2014, where she finished fifth of 12. She won her maiden on the Woodbine turf and is stepping down in class after two rich optional-claiming sprints at Woodbine last fall.
◗ She has fired fresh in the past, winning a $60,369, first-level allowance on Woodbine’s Polytrack last June after a 7 1/2-month break and finishing a good third in an optional claimer on the Woodbine turf last October after a 3 1/2-month break.
Showersofblessings, by Leelanau
Last 3 Beyers: 74-45-73
◗ She clearly likes the turf course here, having finished in the exacta in all five of her starts on it prior to a fourth-place finish in a sprint last month, her first race since July. She could move forward in the second start of her form cycle.