The Tampa Bay finale on turf that launches the racing week in Oldsmar is a beauty, matching a hihgly viable second time starter, Anzio (4-1) off a promising downstate debut, vs. a newcomer from Team Klaravich/Brown that was a $606K yearling purchase over there at Tattersalls.
That’s a lot of money for a European turf pedigree. Brown won with a European debut type in the Tampa Derby Day finale for this same outfit and can make it two straight here with Equitize (5-2).
The latter is working quickly at Brown’s Payson Park base, and his pedigree will take care of the distance and the surface. Hector Diaz, an underrated grass rider, wins at a profitable rate for this barn.
But we’ll count on a Shug second-starter with the meet’s leading rider to take advantage of the experience gained at Gulfstream where he lost ground into and through the stretch and didn’t help himself there when he failed to switch to his correct right lead through the straightaway.
The Temple City colt boasts four works since the debut and this course figures to suit the late running style demonstrated last month. He has to if the newcomer runs to his lofty turf pedigree.
We’ll take whatever value is available on the McGaughey runner as Equitize is very likely to be overbet given the connections.
Betting Anzio to win at 5-2 or greater and an exacta box with the blue-blooded firster.
