US racing tips: Templegate’s best bets for the meeting at Tampa Bay Downs on Sky Sports Racing on Friday
TAMPA BAY
5.45
HIFALUTIN has much the best form in the book with six places from her seven career starts. It’s a concern that she hasn’t managed to get her head in front but she takes a drop in quality here and has been clocking much the best times of this field.
My Blonde Mary showed a little promise on debut and should learn from the experience. She has a fair gap to bridge but may hit the frame.
Donnameup is another who has been knocking on the door and was a fair third last time out.
6.17
TWO LAST WORDS can make the most of his inside draw despite coming back from five months off. He was keeping much higher company than this at the likes of Churchill Downs before his break and has winning form at the trip. He has a top pilot in the plate which looks significant on this course debut.
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6.51
BORN TO GROOVE looks a potential improver in what looks a modest race even for maiden claimer level. She has shown some promise and handled the turf track here when tackling it for the first time latest. She was forced wide from a modest draw and has a much better berth in stall four.
Honesta was well backed before finishing second over course and distance last time so rates the big danger. Splendor Beach wasn’t disgraced latest and could figure.
7.25
BILLYSBIRTHDAYGIRL almost broke her duck here last time. She was just run out of it in the closing stages after being up with the pace. This looks a much softer race and a repeat of that would be good enough to strike.
Ridgelysredhot is another having her sights lowered after a quiet debut. Her trainer Ron Potts has a decent record with runners in this class.
Bellarific could well be the pick of the newcomers. She is bred for this distance and her trackwork has offered some promise.
7.57
Given most of these will probably need the run after a break LADY NINA can strike despite seven months away from the track. Her form is strong with a good win on turf at Gulfstream the highlight. Her trainer does well in these conditions races and she has the ideal draw to slip away from the field.
Redeem My Heart ran a lot better than fifth place suggests at Fair Grounds last time out in February. She has been working well for new connections and should enjoy this trip.
Puntsville has some fair form on turf and worked really sharply over this trip a couple of days ago. She has won over this trip before and rates a danger.
8.29
ROL AGAIN QUESTION couldn’t land a blow in a red-hot race here last time after earlier winning as he liked against this sort of opposition. Those were both sprints but he has strong form over this trip with two wins and a second from just three attempts. He should keep up that good record.
Navy Armed Guard didn’t enjoy his switch to turf latest. He has won two of this past three runs on dirt and is best over this distance. He looks the main threat.
Blue Sky Kowboy was last seen in a Grade 3 at Churchill Downs in November and has won several times at this level. He’s been off for five months but has worked well here ahead of this return.
9.01
NEAT STREET took a big step forward when going down in a tight finish here last time. He wasn’t helped by being forced wide as the pace hotted up before coming home strongly. His trainer is having a strong run with plenty of winners this season.
Uncle Kevin got the job done nicely when winning by two lengths on the dirt here last time. He will be a danger if seeing out this longer distance.
9.33
THE KAHN could be drawn better but he was impressive when scoring over a mile here last time. He stays in the same grade where his trainer Gerald Bennett wins with an impressive 28% of his runners. He clocked a fast time in landing that win and looks the one to beat.
Wilshere Star was a fair third here latest when forced wide a couple of times. He has a better draw today and should be right there.
10.04
DOUBLY BLESSED showed plenty of promise when third here on debut last month, gaining as the race went on. He should have learned plenty from that and put in some sharp trackwork last week ahead of this second start.