Today’s second race in Oldsmar provides a good opportunity for members of the “beat the favorite” club to get their racing week at Tampa off on the good foot.
We understand why Ginette’s On Fire (6-5) is the favorite, given that the Cruz barn is profitable going dirt to turf and that her last dirt run came vs. colts, not the case here.
But if you saw Peace Fire’s (4-1) last [Tampa Bay, MAR 5, Race 3], you would understand the play. Showing much improved early speed in her second turf run, she stayed on gamely after being passed by the ralliers.
Subsequent to that effort, she returned and worked very well twice, her spacing is good, Antonio Gallardo re-rides and, the clincher for us, the move up in class off a losing effort. We have confidence in Mario Lopez’s confidence.
Taking Peace Fire to win at 5-2 or greater, an exacta box with the favorite, and adding Maria Bowersock price shot to the exotics mix.
