Today’s finale in Oldsmar for older fillies and mares going one mile on the Tampa turf present an opportunity for a price shot too tempting to resist and if trips are the measure, then certainly Elusive Ryder deserves a second look at 10-1 on the early line.
Favorites won’t be hard to find. When betting ceases the public likely will focus on Bloody Mary Mornin (3-1) with Daniel Centeno and the sharpest recent form, and Love Daddy (6-1) who’s taking a huge drop for Saffie Joseph Jr, is working well, and attracts co-leading rider and turf ace, Samy Camacho.
But Elusive Ryder caught the eye in her last two starts. She didn’t threaten to win either one but given her trips, she never was given a serious chance. The course lover dropped back in both those starts, was allowed to lose contact with the leaders but went very well late in her most recent run.
Urged to rally wide on the turn, she entered the stretch wider still continued her rally, compromised by both ground loss and moderate pace. Adding that nine furlongs is not her best go, turning back in trip should help her her the space she needs to make her late run most effective.
Actually, she been up against the trip in both recent starts but check out her mile and an eighth last out on the TAMPA BAY TODAY Video, RACE 7 on JAN 3. The switch to Wilmer Garcia should help as he finishes strongly with the right partner on grass.
Taking Elusive Ryder to win at 6-1 or greater and key-boxing exactas with the two fillies named above.
