Today’s featured fifth event in Oldsmar is for older fillies and mares going nine furlongs on the Tampa turf.
It’s easy to understand why Reeve McGaughey’s Miller’s Maiden (5-1) would get lots of attention, given how she jumped up big time in her Tampa and two-turn debut, placing gamely after setting a pressured pace.
However, we prefer a filly who finished 1-1/2 lengths behind her following a much tougher trip in which Kitten With a Whip (4-1) raced between fillies much of the way, swung out wide for the drive and was hindered by a rival in the lane.
Check out “Kitten’s” run—and that of McGaughey’s—Tampa Bay Downs, MAR 18, Race 5 and make your own determination.
Not only is a trip involved but today’s added distance markedly favors the pedigree of Kitten With A Kitten compared to the favorite, or any rival in this matchup for that matter.
Trainer Kent Sweezey has two fillies in this—he owns this one, the other is the early line favorite—and Samy Camacho, a turf ace, takes the return call again.
In addition to the distance pedigree, “Kitten’s” other sibling also won on grass.
Taking Kitten With a Whip to win at 3-1 or greater, and key-boxing exactas with Miller’s Maiden and Kathleen O’Connell’s turnback, She Fled the Scene (3-1).
