Tampa Bay Downs: Blameshifter part of deep turf group in Saturday optional claimer

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Blameshifter, a fast-closing fourth in the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Turf last month, heads a talented group of six optional-claiming turf runners in the co-featured eighth race at a mile at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday.

Mike Allen will ride Blameshifter, a 6-year-old gelding, for trainer Dennis Ward.

The field includes two runners coming off wins in their most recent starts as well as a graded stakes winner and a horse who has had an ongoing love affair with the Tampa turf.

Ward shipped Blameshifter to Gulfstream Park to try statebred stakes company in the Sunshine Millions Turf, and after lagging back in last in the 10-horse field to the stretch of that 1 1/8-mile test, Blameshifter was swung to the far outside and unleashed a strong run, coming from seven lengths off the lead to wind up fourth, beaten 1 3/4 lengths.

Blameshifter prepped for his Gulfstream effort locally Jan. 8, rallying from the outside in a very competitive optional claimer at a mile, then being carried wide while finishing fourth, beaten three-quarters of a length. He was elevated to third through disqualification in that test. Blameshifter has won three of his last seven starts, all on turf, and rarely turns in a poor race.

One of those in the blanket finish of that Jan. 8 race was Clear Attempt, who finished third, beaten two necks before being elevated to second through the disqualification of Super Chunky. Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, Clear Attempt was making his first start in two months that day and figures to be fitter for Saturday’s race.

Clear Attempt captured the Grade 3 Poker in 2012, and while he has had only five starts since 2011, Clear Attempt is a classy runner who must be respected.

Mister Pippit, claimed for $32,000 out of a winning effort last month over the local course, has won three of his last five and deserves a long look, while Wild Target tries two turns and turf after posting a popular win going seven furlongs on the main track most recently.

Allie’s Event, who has finished first or second in 9 of 13 starts over the local turf course, makes his first start since July and can’t be ignored.

Pachanga Party returns

Pachanga Party makes his 3-year-old debut in the third race, a seven-furlong optional claimer for sophomores that might produce candidates for the Grade 2, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby on March 8.

Pachanga Party, winner of the $80,000 Birdonthewire Stakes at Calder in September, faces a field that includes Giancarlo and Early Entry, who ran third and fourth in the Pasco Stakes on Jan. 4. Giancarlo was second as the strong favorite behind runaway winner Tashir in an allowance at Calder last out, while Early Entry showed improved speed to capture an optional-claiming sprint most recently.