Interesting maiden allowances on turf at Tampa today, an occurrence that has contributed to their bottom line success. They are 3-year-olds going a mile; two have run and two are promising newcomers. First, the firsters.
Chad Brown shipping north from Payson Park with an expensive yearling that he likely bought in Europe. Ironically named Domestic Spending (5-2), he’s been in training since November and Crown names Antonio Gallardo. He’s not fooling around.
Neither is Jonathan Thomas, a cool 38% at the meet, profitably with all turf runners lifetime and batting 19% with newcomers. He’s been training seriously since early December and he’s named Daniel Centeno. He doesn’t look to be playing either.
But we will concentrate on two that have run. My Eclair (3-1) looms a most probable winner. A bullet out of the gate in his five furlong debut, he tired while not changing to his correct lead and the winning firster in that race finished up to win like a good horse. Both pace and final time were fast.
Now Curlin’s Thrill (10-1) is nowhere near as fast and a quick pace can help him here. But he likely will need a pace meltdown, which could happen here, and will need to move forward in start two for Graham Motion. At that odds, it may pay to find out.
You need to check out RACE 3 on JAN 19 on the Tampa Today Video section on the homepage. Allowed to drop back to last of 12 for more than half his two-turn debut, he found a seam inside.
He wasn’t stopped, but neither did he have a clear shot. The Curlin colt finished fourth, mostly on his own ability, while weaving his way between for room. He just started to reach full stride as the wire came up. If the odds are square, from 6-1 to 8-1, you’ll know what to do. Same with the exotics.
