McGee: Tampa Bay Downs pick four play for Saturday, March 23, 2019
I’ll be taking a run at the late pick four at Tampa Bay Downs with the standard strategy of mixing in the most likely winners with a few potential price plays. Here’s the layout:
Race 7: This bottom-level N2L race at seven furlongs provides a touch of class relief to likely favorite Road to Damascus (7), with Gray’s Image (10) and Money Broker (11) eligible to trip out nicely from their outer posts.
Race 8: This way-wide-open turf mile for first-level allowance fillies and mares is a tricky one. I’ll be looking for Moon Dash (2) to benefit substantially from her January return for Mike Stidham, who’s had another productive winter with his “off” string at Tampa, while Elusive Truth (9) also could move up off a needed last out. Monkey Mind (5) has been consistent at this level and just can’t be left off the ticket.
Race 9: This is something of a replay of the key Feb. 23 race won in wire-to-wire fashion by Nigel’s Destiny (10), with one key exception: they’ll go an extra quarter-mile this time when stretching out to 11 furlongs. Wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Declan Cannon nurse Nigel to another score, but look for Marksman (5) and Whiskey Train (7) to make well-timed runs to seriously threaten.
Race 10: This full-field finale with all kinds of questions demands at least a little bit of a spread. Red Kitten (12) comes perfectly drawn in the outer box. She turns back in distance off a two-turn debut in which she performed respectably when well bet, and she appears the best of the maidens who already have started. Still, there are a handful of first-timers in capable hands, and they all merit close looks. They are: Don’t Spin Me (2) for Monte Thomas, Smokin Princess (5) for leading trainer Gerald Bennett, and J’s Threestep Halo (8) for Maria Bowersock.
:: See Marty McGee’s pick four play in DRF TicketMaker and bet it with DRF Bets
Here’s the straight-A ticket:
R7: 7, 10, 11
R8: 2, 5, 9
R9: 5, 7, 10
R10: 2, 5, 8, 12
50-cent ticket = $54
