Mr. Ed’s Best Bets for Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday, March 9

Mr. Ed’s Tampa Bay Downs Best Bets

TRACKING MR. ED: When you add up three Winners (including my Best Bet of the Day), a juicy Exacta, and a late Daily Double, you get $267.50 on VSiN.com posted plays of $180.00 (after scratches) for a well-deserved profit of $87.50. A good day was had by all who joined Mr. Ed at the windows. After all, cashing tickets is what it’s all about! Next up, Tampa Bay Downs!

MR. ED’S KY DERBY DOZEN: 1-Dornoch; 2-Sierra Leone; 3-Timberlake; 4-Fierceness; 5-Muth; 6-Hades; 7-Mystic Dan; 8-Dertiminitic; 9-Track Phantom; 10-Domestic Product*; 11-No More Time*; 12-Forever Young.
(*entered today in Tampa Bay Derby) … Worth noting: Unfortunately, the fastest 3YO in training is Bob Baffert’s Nysos, who is ineligible for the KD due to the trainer’s suspension from racing in Kentucky.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Top jockeys bros. Ortiz (Jose & Irad), joined Tyler Gaffalione, Javier Castellano and Junior Alvarado in crossing Alligator Alley from their winter home at Gulfstream Park to ride in today’s stakes-rich card at Tampa Bay Downs (TBD). Tip: If you are playing Gulfstream today, factor their absence into your handicapping. If you are betting TBD with Mr. Ed, count on the five big-league visiting jockeys to win at least half of the 12 TBD races. Trainers to watch: Chad Brown with six entrants along with Todd Pletcher and Jose D’Angelo with four each.

TAMPA BAY DERBY DAY: There’s much to like on today’s program with only eight weeks left until the Kentucky Derby. In addition to the points-rich Tampa Bay Derby, the 12-race card includes four other graded stakes, a competitive handicap and three salty maiden contests. Race 1 post time is 11:55 a.m. ET/8:55 a.m. PT.

MR. ED’S TAMPA BAY DOWNS BEST BETS

Race 6 (2:27 p.m. ET/11:27 a.m. PT) — G3 $100K Challenger Stakes at 1 1/16th-mile, 4YOs & up
Mr. Ed likes #4 SHERLOCK’S JEWEL (5-1 morning line). The improving gelding has won the last two against weaker competition since switching to dirt with French import Vincent Cheminaud in saddle. Defending champ #3, SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING (1-1) appears to have lost a step. Pick is no mystery to me.
Tampa Bay Downs Best Bet: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)

Race 7 (3:04 p.m. ET/12:04 p.m. PT) — $75K Columbia Stakes at a mile on turf, 3YOs
I’m betting #7 IN A JAM (9-2 morning line) can spring upset over #3 MOVE TO GOLD (5-2). Excellent trainer Mark Casse ships over from Gulfstream, hiring Jose Ortiz to ride. Look for the colt to keep his winning streak alive. Tasty pick.
Tampa Bay Downs Best Bet: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)

Race 9 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — G2 $225K Hillsborough Stakes at 1 ⅛-mile on turf for 4YO fillies
Mr. Ed’s pick is #1 FLUFFY SOCKS (3-1 morning line) for the top trainer-jockey duo of Chad Brown and Irad Ortiz Jr. Winner of nearly $2 million, the mare is positioned for a perfect trip from the rail post.
Tampa Bay Downs Best Bet: $10 Win & Place and bet $5 Exacta boxes with #2 MARKETSEGMENTATION (5-2) and #8 STAR FORTRESS (7-2). Socks it to me. ($50)

Race 10 (4:45 p.m. ET/1:45 p.m. PT) — G3 $200K Florida Oaks at 1  1/16-mile on turf for 3YO fillies
Improving #5 WASKESIU (8-1 morning line) is my LONGSHOT OF THE DAY as she steps up into graded company for HOF trainer Bill Mott. Works indicate late-running daughter of American Pharoah is ready to score at a solid price. Mott stable top rider Junior Alvarado stays aboard.
Tampa Bay Downs Best Bet: $10 Win and Place and $5 Exacta boxes with #7 STYLE POINTS and #11 DYNAMIC PRICING. ($50)

Race 11 (5:18 p.m. ET/2:18 p.m. PT) — G3 $400K Tampa Bay Derby at 1 1/16-mile for 3YOs
The toughest race on the card sends Mr. Ed looking for a live longshot. So, he’ll take a stab with maiden #10 STURDY (8-1 morning line) and bet $5 Exacta boxes with #4 GOOD MONEY (15-1), #5 DOMESTIC PRODUCT (8-5) and #7 NO MORE TIME (7-5). ($30)

TOTAL WAGERS: $170