Free: Cross-country plays for Saturday, April 4, 2020

Instead of a stakes lineup that would have included the Santa Anita Derby, Wood Memorial and Blue Grass Stakes on the first Saturday in April, horseplayers will seek overlays at Tampa Bay Downs, Oaklawn Park and Gulfstream Park. Such as these:

TAM, race 3 (1:30 ET) – Pedal to the metal. It worked for Philosophy (3) last out against easier, and his front-running style and inside post dictates similar strategy in this turf sprint, entry-level allowance/optional claiming. He can win again moving up in class. Trainer Kent Sweezey won three races Friday, including one ridden by Gary Wales. Same combo here, long gone again. Philosophy is listed at 6-1, worth a play at 4-1 or higher.

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OP, race 5 (3:06 CT) – Alpha to Omega (10) fits the conditions perfectly: “started for a $12.5k claiming price or less, have not won two races since Dec. 4.” Alpha to Omega started for $10k last year; his second most-recent win was Nov. 16. His form is solid, his speed figures compare favorably to favorite Drena’s Star (6). Probably won’t get the 15-1 morning line on Alpha to Omega, but will settle for a win bet at 8-1 with an exacta saver under the favorite.

GP, race 10 (5:20 ET) – Although comebacker First Premio (3) figures as a solid favorite in this allowance turf mile, in-form Halladay (11) merits support at higher odds. Halladay has improved with each recent start, he meets easier after a decent fourth in a Grade 3, and he can adapt to the likely fast pace. Halladay is 6-1 co-third choice in the program, but more likely to start as second choice. Still, Halladay is worth backing at 4-1 or higher.

GP, race 11 (5:52 ET) – High-fig debut winner I’ll Fight Dempsey (3) looks tough in this entry-level allowance, at lower than his 9-5 program odds. The exacta may offer value with two 8-1 shots underneath. Tomcat Black (1) runs fresh, and he can sprint. Masterday (7) goes route to sprint, Grade 2 to N1X. Exacta key: I’ll Fight Dempsey over Tomcat Black and Masterday: 3 with 1, 7. Regarding odds, in this case let the chips fall where they fall.

OP, race 9 (5:09 CT) – How good is two-for-two Lexi On the Move (6)? She crushed allowance foes last out, winning with plenty left. Her pressing/stalking style fits the pace scenario of this sprint stakes. With continued improvement, she can upset high-fig favorites Frank’s Rockette (8) and Edgeway (4). Lexi On the Move is fifth choice in the program at 8-1. That won’t happen. Likely third choice, ’Lexi is worth a play at 5-1.