Daily Racing Form expert handicapper and analyst Ron Gierkink handicaps the Wednesday, January 28 racing card at Tampa Bay Downs, including his projected 1-2-3 finishers. His best bet of the day comes from Race 9.
Also, view FREE DRF Past Performances for today’s Race of the Day.
BEST BET: Authenticate Now (9th race)
Ninth Race
1. Authenticate Now
2. Life Advice
3. Temple City Taboo
AUTHENTICATE NOW is descending from first-level allowance company to a new low in this $25K non-two tilt and merits top billing. She’s versatile in terms of running style and rarely runs a bad one. LIFE ADVICE just missed last out in an identical spot when claimed by second-leading trainer Arriagada, who’s 4 for 9 when using Camacho at the meet. TEMPLE CITY TABOO can make his presence known if he fires one of his better shots. NASHVILLE SLEW could hit the ticket with blinkers on if sufficiently cranked up for her first start since last spring.
Here are Ron’s thoughts on the other eight races on Wednesday’s Tampa Bay Downs card.
First Race
1. Moroder
2. Repetitive
3. American Direction
MORODER checked in fourth among two next-out winners after vying for the lead the last time he went postward nearly a year ago. Hamm has excellent numbers with long-term comebackers and this one may take some catching under Meneses. REPETITIVE is debuting with speed pedigree for a trainer who can have one ready. The homebred is a full-brother to stakes winner Cajun Firecracker, a debut winner at 2, along with two other winners. AMERICAN DIRECTION is descending from maiden special company for his second start off the bench following a trainer change and appears to have found his friends.
Second Race
1. Jassai
2. Utopia Rose
3. Strand of Gold
JASSAI has been knocking on the door at this $5K conditioned class and looks ready to break through in the fourth start of her form cycle. Red-hot leading rider Sam Marin is 3 for 8 at the meet for the barn. UTOPIA ROSE is halving in value from $10K and could get back on the beam if she gets away cleanly. STRAND OF GOLD landed on the edges in both of her local outings and should be along to garner some of the scraps.
Third Race
1. Norfie
2. Osprey
3. Al Ameeq
NORFIE is dropping off a belated third in an open $6.25K claimer to meet $5K conditioned stock and should be dangerous in his third race off a fall freshening. He possesses the highest last-out Beyer in the field by a good margin. OSPREY faded to end up fifth behind the top pick when moving out from six to seven furlongs in his latest. AL AMEEQ is another coming from $6.25K company who should be competitive from off the pace.
Fourth Race
1. Heavenly Dancer
2. Padrino’s Gold
3. Instabrat
HEAVENLY DANCER stalked the pace last time before tiring to finish a distant third behind Long Gone Sally, who returned to double up in a starter-optional claimer with a 75 Beyer. She’s being reunited with leading rider Marin and figures to take some beating in her third start off a layoff. PADRINO’S GOLD placed in each of her last three starts at this non-three level. Cutting back a furlong from six and a half isn’t ideal, but she should be a factor again. INSTABRAT appears to be the lone speed and good layoff trainer Hamm is 4 for 12 at the meet when giving Gil a leg up.
Fifth Race
1. Jersey Joyce
2. Enchant
3. Addagirl Addie
JERSEY JOYCE filled out the exacta for the first time last out off a layoff in her local bow at this level. She’s been improving since last spring and will be tough to deny if the pattern continues. ENCHANT flattened out to fourth after vying for the lead when exiting a six-month absence two weeks ago, a race she seemingly needed. Marin could secure an uncontested lead this time with a chance to wire the field. Professional maidens ADDAGIRL ADDIE and KATARZYNA are obvious prospects for the bottom of vertical wagers.
Sixth Race
1. Authentic Wave
2. Ridgie
3. Questnbled’cisions
AUTHENTIC WAVE won her last two outings from off the pace with blinkers on at Gulfstream, including a blow-out score in a seven-furlong starter/optional claimer. She’s adding Lasix and the hot leading rider Marin to her arsenal after working a fast half-mile at GP. RIDGIE won her penultimate race in allowance company before picking up some black type most recently when third in the Gasparilla, during which she was bumped early in the stretch before drifting inward. QUESTNBLED’CISIONS went on Lasix when she crushed $25K maidens three weeks ago and could handle the rest.
Seventh Race
1. Redbird Nation
2. Fit to Fire
3. Loyal Clement
REDBIRD NATION came up empty among three next-out winners when exiting a long layoff while claimed for $16K Dec. 13, a race he had to have needed. He’s halving in value and his trainer has solid numbers pertaining to this situation. FIT TO FIRE is dropping back down to the class at which he wound up second two back and should be prominent with his tactical speed. Marin combined with O’Connell for a win last Saturday, one of his five scores on that card. Longshot LOYAL CLEMENT could rally for a slice of the pie in his third race following a fall freshening.
Eighth Race
1. Fort Charles
2. Midnight Onyx
3. Lucky Curlin
FORT CHARLES finished a distant third most recently for $10K in his debut for Simone, who had a 22% strike rate second time off a claim going back five years ($2.14 ROI). The drop to $5K could put him over the top. MIDNIGHT ONYX beat easier $5K conditioned opponents last out in his first try for high-percentage trainer Avila. He has the highest last-out Beyer in the lineup by a wide margin and Gil is 5 for 8 at the meet for the barn. The classy veteran LUCKY CURLIN ended a drought in his latest could join the fray. First-time gelding GREY CHARMER is another possibility.
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