[OFF TURF ANNOUNCED AT NOON] Of the turf races available on Tampa’s Saturday card, the race I have chosen is the seventh for special-weight maiden three year olds at 1-1/16 miles because these horses will pop up in Kentucky or New York or some other major circuit given pedigrees and connections.
One of two horses is likely to top the ticket, the choices being either Economic Policy (2-1) or Maroon Maniac (5-2), favorites with whom we will try to optimize vertically or one or both as keys to the late P5 or P4.
And b
Economic Policy was an excellent second on debut over this course. Saving ground throughout, he was under a snug hold awaiting his time. He swung out to the 5-path at headstretch and finished strongly, unable to beat a talented rival that got first run. Chad + Gallardo; more like odds-on than 2-1.
Maroon Magic was just as good but under different circumstances. He appears to have more natural early speed, can rate from the pocket and can finish, another excellent placing behind a Chad even money first time starter.
‘Magic’ made his run up the fence, good for saving ground but beyond the comfort level of many young horses. Daniel Centeno takes the re-ride for Jonathan Thomas, a lofty 35% effective with second-time starters. The chances that he will offer value compared to his fast-figure rival are good.
Check out his debut which we think you will like. Go to the Tampa Bay Today Video on our home page and see four yourself: RACE 5 on FEB 12. Parenthetically, say a small prayer that predicted rain–badly needed in the area–will not force this event to be rescheduled to the main track.
And so we’re taking him to win on turf, seeking 2-1 minimum, an exacta box with ‘Policy’ and using Safe and Sound (10-1), Fortyeightstraight (15-1) and Kentucky Ghost (8-1) to complete the super-exotics.
