The play to begin the racing week in Oldsmar and penultimate week of the 2021-22 season, note to mention that late Pick 5 is Procurador (2-1), a two-turn mile for maiden claimers at the $16,000 level.
There are many factors that point out the gelded 3-year-old who made a promising turf debut at NOV 21. Following a dull effort in January, Jesus Cruz took over the training and today is the day to expect a maximum effort.
Freshened two months, he returned going 9 furlongs and once again raced well on grass, moving his Thoro-Graph figure forward incrementally while unable to stay the entire trip.
He returned for his second start off the layup but the race was rescheduled to the main track and he raced dully. Now he returns on 10 days rest and this is where it becomes interesting.
Cruz is profitable with quick turnarounds of 11 days or less, profitable going dirt to turf and has been on a recent roll, a profitable 21% efficient over the past three months. All of it augurs well. If front bandages are removed, so much the better!
But do check his first start for Cruz in which he was carried wide on the first turn, raced between horses much of the way, rallied into contention but could not sustain his winning run. See Tampa Bay Downs, APR 10, Race 3. The turnback and quick return gets it done in today’s fifth.
Taking Procurador to win, no price restrictions, and key him 1-2 in trifectas with potential ground savers Machinegunpreacher (5-2), Summer Boss (4-1), and LAY-2 price shot Eccentrico (10-1)
