Hammersly: How I'll play Tampa pick five for Saturday, March 9

A mare making her career swansong, fillies who ran into monster Newspaperofrecord at the Breeders’ Cup, a sprinter who beat top-class sprinter Imperial Hint and stretches out for the first time, a number of Chad Brown runners (and you know how scary they can be) and 3-year-olds looking to stay on the Kentucky Derby trail add up to an intriguing Pick-5 at Tampa (races 7-11).

Race 7
ENGLISH BEE (#3) and PROLIFERATE (#10) knocked heads at Gulfstream on Jan. 19, finishing first and second, respectively, separated by just a neck. They might go at again. DIGITAL AGE (#8) rallied to win his turf debut here Jan. 19 for top trainer Brown despite a slow start and traffic trouble.

A’s) 3, 10
B’s) 8
C’s) None

Race 8
KILLYBEGS CAPTAIN (#3) looked super whipping top-class sprinter Imperial Hint in the Pelican here Feb. 16. It’s his first time going this far but while he has speed he doesn’t look speed-crazy. FLAMEAWAY (#1) set a pressured pace before fading to third in his return in the Grade 3 Mineshaft at Fair Grounds Feb. 16, not bad considering the pace pressure he got and that it was his first start in six months. He’s run big here before.

A’s) 1, 3
B’s) None
C’s) None

Race 9
RYMSKA (#7) hails from the ever-dangerous Brown barn and when on her game is top-class. HAWKSMOOR (#2) makes her career swansong and showed there’s still plenty of gas in the tank with her romping win in the Grade 3 Endeavour here last month. ONTHEMOONAGAIN (#8) showed big ability in Europe and then in New York last summer/fall when moved to Brown’s care. VIVA VEGAS (#3) gave HAWKSMOOR a scare when a rallying second to her in the Endeavour and looks better than ever.

A’s) 2, 7
B’s) 8
C’s) 3

Race 10
CONCRETE ROSE (#5) looked super winning her first two starts but then ran into monster Newspaperofrecord at the Breeders’ Cup. She’s been freshened and doesn’t face that gal here. WINTER SUNSET (#3) is regally bred and has shown ample talent in her first two starts, winning both comfortably. STELLAR AGENT (#10) won her debut smartly and then like the top pick had the misfortune of running into Newspaperofrecord in her next two starts. LA FEVE (#1) ran on well for third in the Grade 3 Sweetest Chant at Gulfstream, her U.S. debut. She could move forward off that run for Brown.

A’s) 3, 5
B’s) 10
C’s) 1

Race 11
DREAM MAKER (#4) was much ballyhooed last spring/summer but had some issues. However, he came back smokin’ to romp at Fair Grounds on Feb. 9 and may be ready to deliver on his early promise. TACITUS (#10) was, according to trainer Bill Mott, the barn’s ‘Derby horse’ in the fall before Hidden Scroll and Country House came on the scene. The regally bred colt has worked well for this first run of the year. WIN WIN WIN (#7) has won three of four including a smashing win in the Pasco here Jan. 19. All his work has been sprinting, so it’s a new game and tougher foes but he’s got talent. WELL DEFINED (#5) added blinkers and got back on track with a big win in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis here Feb. 9. That said, there’s ample other speed in here so he may not get such a cozy front-running trip as he did in the Davis.

A’s) 4, 10
B’s) 7
C’s) 5