Every weather handicapper I know says it’s going to start raining early Friday morning in Oldsmar and continue throughout the day. But I’m not total convinced so we’re going with two selections today: One if by turf; Two if by sea,
Should this scheduled $16K claimer at one mile remain on grass, then Mad Grace (6-1) is a good call. Making her third start off a layup, she’s set for best here having shown improvement last out.
Trainer Jordan Blair protected her in a starter comebacker dropped to this level for an improved big-hung third. By that was a 9 furlongs; today it’s eight, which should make all the difference. She won under today’s conditions a year ago almost to the day.
She will benefit from her last. See for yourself on the TAMPA BAY TODAY live video on the homepage, TAMPA BAY DOWNS, JAN 29, RACE 3. interesting to note, too, that she won an off-the-turfer here last year as well.
But if this race is switched to the dirt, we’re taking Main Track Only Captivant (10-1) whose Thoro-Graph figures are forward looking and we like the idea that her sharpness and speed figure edge is fairly significant, and the fact Kathleen O’Connell confidently doubles her claiming tag on the rise.
In either case, we’re boxing the exacta, and taking Mad Grace to win on turf, and Captivant to win on the surface switch–the only way she gets in, of course. We’re willing to take either mare at half their early line odds.
