Streamin Heat back from layoff in sprint

OLDSMAR, Fla. - Streamin Heat, a fast filly from the Larry Rivelli stable, ships up from south Florida to make her first start since October in Saturday's co-featured seventh race at Tampa Bay Downs, a second-level optional claimer over about five furlongs on turf. In the day's other top race, the consistent Cryptogram will attempt to carry his speed 1 3/8 miles on the turf in a starter handicap slated to go as the ninth race.

Streamin Heat began her career with trainer Wesley Ward on the West Coast, beating California-breds at Hollywood Park in her second start. Brought back in in the CTBA Stakes, again against statebreds, she used her speed to win the 5 1/2-furlong sprint at Del Mar by a half-length.

After finishing unplaced in the Generous Portion at Del Mar, Streamin Heat was off from August to October when she returned to action at Hawthorne for Rivelli in the six-furlong Meadowlake. She led the field into the stretch of that race before weakening to finish sixth.

Ward sends out My Sweet Natalie in the seventh race. She has won 3 of her 5 starts. She won a restricted stakes in her turf debut at Calder, then came back to take the Catcharisingstar Stakes, again at Calder, drawing off late despite drifting out for a 3 1/4-length tally.

In her first start of 2009, My Sweet Natalie led early and weakened to finish third on the turf at Gulfstream.

Of the locals, Shez So Special, who finished second behind the undefeated Snow Lass last time out while making her first start since July, bears watching, as does My Reflection, a winner of 2 of 3 lifetime starts.

The 11-furlong Tampa Turf Test is a wide-open affair. Cryptogram won his last start on the lead and finished second in close photos in his two prior appearances. Speed has been playing favorably over the local turf course, helping Cryptogram's chances.

Otis Ridge, a 7-year-old with a classy background, came from far back to take a similar race last time out and will be making his third start off a layoff.

Stumbling Block, from the powerful Jamie Ness barn, has won two of his last three starts and had traffic problems when fourth the last time he raced in the starter handicap series.