Check out our race-by-race verdicts and nap selection for Friday's meeting at Tampa Bay Downs.
17.24 (All times BST, live on Sky Sports Racing): Game Day Drama finished in the money for the sixth time in a row when returning a losing favourite here last time. He’s at least consistent which is more than can be said of AMERICANO but the latter posted his best speed figure so far this year on his latest start and the winner has subsequently gone in again. Expediter won at Finger Lakes when last in action but that was in the summer of 2019 while Passionate Hachi has the past form and Young American can figure if it’s a wet track.
17.52: Freedom Lass found only one too good in a stakes race at Hawthorne back in November though it wasn’t a great race and it doesn’t bode well to see her dropping down to this level on her return. Flaming Indy is preferred on a recent third here when finishing well ahead of Timeless Di but one of the newcomers may prove good enough. Fast Fionnuala represents a yard in good form but the same can be said of HYPERLOOP, an Empire Maker filly partnered by a leading track jockey in Samy Camacho for her debut.
18.21: Several drop down in class with MOMENTO making most appeal. She’s been well beaten on the Turf either side of winning a maiden race on the main track at Fair Grounds and should go close in this company back on the Dirt. La Belle De Course can do better back at this lower level while both Karatbars and Lovielee won maiden races here last month with the former the more impressive. My Sister's Keeper has had her claim waived but is returning from a lay-off and will be of more interest in the future when back on Turf.
18.52: Three of these won maiden races last time with Danville having more scope for improvement than Husband In Law and Fine Spirit. Travel Agent has the form to figure but a wide draw has done him no favours while Dopo Lavoro is usually thereabouts and finished in front of Ed's Dog here last month but has just the one win in 23 outings. NO REGRETS (NAP) hasn’t raced since November but went close at the likes of Belmont and Saratoga last year and if running anywhere near the same level on his return, Michael Dini’s charge may prove the one to beat.
19.25: Sir Swaysalot has finished runner-up the last twice now but failed to trouble the winner on either occasion. Just Shoot Already was also beaten over three lengths when a losing favourite here last month though finished in front of Bolter earlier and the latter has subsequently gone close with Molokai Night behind. Not Telling is a likely improver but ESOR is also unexposed as he drops down in class for a yard in good form and the latter gets a tentative vote.
19.55: An open contest with Matty's Express winning one of these contests last month having earlier found Valiant Virtue too good here. Gator Posse and Bronx Rumble were also beaten by the former while several won maiden races last time. That includes the Godolphin charge Caramelito, Indy Ride and High Threshold but a chance is taken on FIRST HOMESTEAD. The latter made a winning start over 6f here with a subsequent winner back in third and is expected to improve for both today’s longer trip and the switch to Turf.
20.26: Draftable improved when dropped down to this grade last time and finishing in the money over 6f. Indian Buzz found only one too good over track and trip with The Exception four lengths behind and the latter is unlikely to reverse running drawn on the outside. SACCO AND VANZETTI could also have had more luck with the draw but won a maiden race over course and distance last month with plenty to spare and should make his presence felt at this level with a similar effort.
20.58: Town Classic has the beating of both Divine Ambition and Ludington representing Gerald Bennett’s leading yard but drops down in trip from a wide draw. Zorb won easily here in December and returns to action along with several others including Cake Pop, Small Fortune and Weekend Wizard but a chance is taken KITCHEN FIRE returns to his best. The latter has been competing over 5f so far this year but earlier speed figures for his winning form over today’s longer trip suggest he can go very close in this.
