By: Peter Monaco
The 2019 Tampa Bay Derby will be the last race offering Kentucky Derby points for prep races at the Oldsmar, Florida, track. Well Defined is the only horse returning from the first Derby prep held at Tampa on Feb. 9, the Sam. F. Davis. In that race he dominated his competition by 2 3/4 lengths and he’ll have a bunch of new shooters taking him on today.
The 2019 Tampa Bay Derby will be run at 1 1/16 miles on the main track and award Kentucky Derby points on a 50-20-10-5 scale to the top four finishers. It will be run as Race 11 of 12 and post time is 5:25 ET
Let’s meet a rather interesting field of 11.
1) ADMIRE 12/1 Trainer: Dale Romans Jockey: Robby Albarado Starts: 3: 1-0-0 Earnings: $58,060
He threw in a clunker in his first race in Nov. but came back three weeks later and broke his maiden at Churchill in the slop and barely held on. He now looks to rebound from a fifth place finish in the Withers Stakes where he was 5 1/2 lengths behind the winner. Needs softer to shine. Passing.
2) SIR WINSTON 12/1 Trainer: Mark Casse Jockey: Julian Leparoux Starts: 6: 2-0-1 Earnings: $89,050
Was last seen running fourth in the Withers 1/2 length in front of Admire. This fellow has run on dirt, turf and synthetic surfaces and his best races have come on the poly-track and I think that’s where he should be. Passing.
3) LORD DRAGON 30/1 Trainer: Jordan Blair Jockey: Jose Bracho Starts: 6: 1-2-1 Earnings: $35,334
Broke his maiden in his sixth start at Tampa Bay in a 1 mile and 40 yard event where he barely held on by a head. Connections are dreaming big here but if you like this horse you can toss him with confidence and move on. No shot today.
4) DREAM MAKER 4/1 Trainer: Mark Casse Jockey: Florent Geroux Starts: 4: 2-0-0 Earnings $72,850
Came out of the Oct. 6, Breeders Futurity with a hoof injury and took some time off to heal. He returned to the races on Feb. 9, at the Fairgrounds in an optional claiming race and romped to an 8 1/2 length score. It looks like he’s back on track and could make some noise today. A dangerous contender.
5) WELL DEFINED 7/2 Trainer: Kathleen O’Connell Jockey: Pablo Morales Starts: 7: 3-1-1 Earnings: $490,570
Started the year with a dismal outing in The Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream where he ran fifth, some 12 lengths behind the winner. He came back with blinkers in the Sam F. Davis on Feb. 9 and went wire to wire, pulling away by 2 3/4 lengths. It seems he likes this course and looks live today. Contender
6) OUTSHINE 8/1 Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Joel Rosario Starts: 3: 2-0-0 Earnings: $80,900
Returned from an eight month layoff to score handily by 2 lengths at 7 furlongs in an optional claiming event at Gulfstream on Feb. 10. With a 2/3 win record and that race under his belt he’s got some confidence and some conditioning. Can hit the board.
7) WIN WIN WIN 5/2 Trainer: Michael Trombetta Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Starts: 4: 3-1-0 Earnings: $127,300
With three wins and a good second place finish it seems this speedy fellow is as serious as a heart attack. Won the Pasco Stakes by 7 1/4 lengths over this course in Jan. and he seems so versatile he can go wire to wire or close into a blazing pace if needed. And,with two bullet workouts in the holster over this course there’s a lot to like. If he breaks well, (2/4 bad starts) he might be gone. Top Contender.
8) THE RIGHT PATH 15/1 Trainer: Jorge Duarte Jr. Jockey: Joe Bravo Starts: 2: 1-1-0 Earnings: $47,300
Won his debut at Aqueduct on Nov. 3 in a six furlong contest and ran third in his next start at Gulfstream but was moved up to second place via a disqualification. He has showed talent in his short career and I couldn’t totally count him out in his first two-turn test here. Possible but not probable. Passing.
9) DUMPH 20/1 Trainer: Mike Maker Jockey: Daniel Centeno Starts: 5: 2-0-1 Earnings: $151,540
Ran a decent third in The Remington Springboard Mile back in December but then ran a terrible eleventh out of 14 in the Risen Star last month. I don’t see any surprises coming from him today and we can toss him without worry.
10) TACITUS 12/1 Trainer: Bill Mott Jockey: Jose Ortiz Starts: 2: 1-0-0 Earnings $43,000
Been on the shelf since breaking his maiden in his second start in a one-mile event at Aqueduct on Nov.10. Tapit colt has some good breeding and has done little wrong. He could hit the board but others are more promising. Passing.
11) ZENDEN 8/1 Trainer: Victor Barboza Jockey:Samy Camacho Starts: 3: 2-1-0 Earnings: $106,770
Won his first two starts sprinting at Gulfstream and then ran a good second to Call Paul in the Swale Stakes last month. Tries two turns for the first time and this guy could be a nice horse. Not loving his chances for the top spot but he’s another who could hit the board with a good effort.Peter’s SELECTIONS:
#7 WIN WIN WIN 5/2 Speedy colt waves goodbye
#4 DREAM MAKER 4/1 Should get a good trip
#5 WELL DEFINED 7/2 Might forget to stop again
#6 OUTSHINE 8/1 Needed his last, should be tighter today
#11 ZENDEN 8/1 Could be a runner
