Tampa Bay Picks: Wednesday Racing Resumes January 5

With one of the best kept turf secrets in all of Thoroughbred racing, Tampa Bay Downs returns with another week of action! February looms ... and they will have a great set of stakes races!

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered! It is a good time for some of the best that North American racing has to offer. Stay tuned! 

If you're looking for picks elsewhere around the country this Wednesday be sure to check out our free Horse Racing Picks via the gold button below.

Most Likely Winner: (Race 7: Spiritual King #4, 5/2):

Heading to the Tampa Turf Course ... one of my favorites in all of the Nation ... we have a good group of Claiming horses that will contest this route distance. Tops in my mind is Doug Nunn's gelding by Violence. These types can take to the turf well, and looking over his form, it looks like he is poised to get back to business. His 5th place finish last time out was a racing aberration, as far as I am concerned. He is getting to know Tampa well by now. and should handle this field quite nicely. With super rider Antonio Gallardo at the controls, I think he has this contest in the bag. Let's bet this sureshot ...

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #4

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 6: Striking Heir #6, 15/1):

In this cheap claimer, we are out to do some prospecting. Prospecting for long shots, that is ... I like the training habits of Gerald Bennett. His stable is strong right now at Tampa, and I would not overlook this gelding by Wildcat Heir. He is a better sprinter than his record might show, and I think the price is going to be a superb overlay to wager on. The services of Fernando De La Cruz should be more than adequate to get the job done in this spot. Here is to hoping this one stays asleep on the tote. Looking back through his form, there is some sneaky good efforts imbedded in there. Let's go boxcar!

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #6 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Dirt, 6F, OC16k1x, F&M 4+):

On this Wednesday, I found this MT race that looks as good as any to dissect. Sprinting on the dirt, we have 7 going forward, and I am sure that trainer Victor Russo will have one of the favorites in Fan Fan #5. After all, his older filly by Field Commission has a couple of "Place" finishes at Tampa already in this very condition. It would seem possible that Jose Ferrer could see his mount through to the winner's circle. But a question swirls ... is she the type that just cannot win? Always a bridesmaid, and all that ... Maybe ... I am certainly not going to write her off. Let's use her in an Exacta, but on top, I particularly like the look of John Pimental's Band Sweetheart #4. Here is a mare by JP's Gusto that needed a race in order to get acclimated to the Tampa course. Looking over her past form from the fall, and before that from over the summer, she should be able to get this done. I know she only has 1 win in 19 career starts, but that does not mean that she cannot win on this occasion. Her price will be excellent at 6/1, and I think she is fit as can be. I want to roll one other runner underneath to complete this bet, and it looks like Bahamian Moon #3 is the clear choice. This 5-yr-old just missed at the Claiming level last time, and now she gets the jock change to Antonio Gallardo. That is an upgrade for sure ... She likes to set a torrid pace, so look for her to do that right out of the gate! 

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Wheel,  w

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Tampa Bay Downs is back for another week of racing … enjoy some of the best that Florida has to offer!