Saturday’s $300k Tampa Bay Derby has drawn an interesting field of 11, and note that there have only been two wire jobs in 61 races conducted at 8.5f. Stalk and pounce types perform best, and I will look for value contenders with the right running style.
Musket Man won his 1st three sprint starts and was hardly disgraced in Sam Davis show finish (post 9) at this distance here last time. He projects a ground saving stalking trip at playable odds. He sports a pair of local bullets for this, and note that he defeated Sam Davis winner General Quarters …read more

Before I take a look at Super Bowl Sunday’s graded races, let’s review the big events run this week at the Gulf.

Thursday (1-29-09):
Old Hat (G3) runner-up Elusive Heat (Elusive Quality-Xtra Heat) won a 6f allowance race as Alan Garcia pleased and stopped the clock in a rapid 1:08.94. The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee is definitely headed back to the stakes ranks, and I would not want to tussle with the fleet miss around one turn.
Friday (1-30-09):
Old Hat (G3) show finisher Frolic’s Dream (Smoke Glacken) rebounded to nab the seven panel Forward Gal (G2) by 2.5 easy lengths. …read more

Saturday’s nine furlong Holy Bull (G3) is the longest Kentucky Derby prep so far, and eleven sophomores have signed up for the challenge.
Danger To Society (Harlan’s Holiday) is 2-2 for Robby Albarado/Ken McPeek, and he exits a smart course/distance tally off a layoff. He owns fine positional speed and lands an advantageous inner post.

Idol Maker (Empire Maker) has been on my radar screen since his upset flat mile debut win at Belmont. He hooked the fleet Old Fashioned in the Remsen (G2) 2nd time out, and he probably needed his local allowance prep for this. Todd Pletcher’s $310k …read more