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<title>The Racing Dispatch / NTamm1215 / Commented News</title>
<link>http://www.racingdispatch.com</link>
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<pubDate>Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:46:05 -0600</pubDate>
<language>en</language>
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<title><![CDATA[Deal makers in Louisana 'scabs'?  Some say so]]></title>
<link>http://www.racingdispatch.com/RacingNews/Deal_makers_in_Louisana_scabs__Some_say_so/</link>
<comments>http://www.racingdispatch.com/RacingNews/Deal_makers_in_Louisana_scabs__Some_say_so/</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:46:05 -0600</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Racing News</category>
<guid>http://www.racingdispatch.com/RacingNews/Deal_makers_in_Louisana_scabs__Some_say_so/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Amid the widespread euphoria of horseplayers who are able to wager on the Fair Grounds through many of the main Advanced Deposit Wagering (ADW) sites, some members of The Horsemen's group in states other than Louisiana are disappointed that such a deal was struck.<br/><br/>24 Whip(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saratoga Horse du Jour- Day 8 (Thursday)]]></title>
<link>http://www.racingdispatch.com/DispatchFeatures/Saratoga_Horse_du_Jour-_Day_8_Thursday/</link>
<comments>http://www.racingdispatch.com/DispatchFeatures/Saratoga_Horse_du_Jour-_Day_8_Thursday/</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:00:43 -0500</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Dispatch Features</category>
<guid>http://www.racingdispatch.com/DispatchFeatures/Saratoga_Horse_du_Jour-_Day_8_Thursday/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Thursday program is headlined by the $80,000 John Morrissey for NY breds going six and a half furlongs.  The previously undefeated Ferocious Fires will look to atone for a poor effort last time out on turf against open company.The 8th race is a purse enhanced N1X event for fillies and mares going a mile and a furlong on the main track.  The purse incentive program introduced by NYRA is an absolutely terrific idea as a race like this in year's past would certainly not have drawn a field of ten.  We're going to go outside the box in the 8th race and take a horse who not only is winless this year but is only 1 of 24 in the last two years.  The key to understanding #8 BORROWING BASE is to put all of her efforts in context. At the beginning of this year she made four starts on the inner track against N1X and N2X company, and it goes without saying that that particular surface plays against her style.  She was then put in a one mile event on the Aqueduct main track, a route that gives her no opportunity to unwind and show her late speed.  Three failed attempts on the turf can be discarded and it is ultimately her last start that is quite convincing.  Going a mile and a sixteenth on the Belmont main track, this mare took up her customary position at the back of the pack, she closed well but she was trying to rally into a terribly slow pace and eventually finished behind a couple of horses who enjoyed perfect trips.  She's now getting a significant upgrade at pilot, stretches back out to 9 panels, and is back at her favorite track, Saratoga.  The pace is going to be solid in this event and with so many young fillies who may have trouble with this distance entered, we'll take a chance with Borrowing Base at or around her morning line price of 15-1.DAY 8 HORSE DU JOUR: #8 BORROWING BASE in Race 8.DAY 7 RECAP: A scratch of the lone speed seriously hindered Borobudur's late kick but he found a way to get going late and get up for 2nd.  It was our 4th in the money finish in 7 days, but we're still in search of our second win.TOTALS: 7: 1-2-1 -$7.30<br/><br/>8 Whip(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saratoga Horse du Jour- Opening Day]]></title>
<link>http://www.racingdispatch.com/DispatchFeatures/Saratoga_Horse_du_Jour-_Opening_Day-1/</link>
<comments>http://www.racingdispatch.com/DispatchFeatures/Saratoga_Horse_du_Jour-_Opening_Day-1/</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:16:35 -0500</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Dispatch Features</category>
<guid>http://www.racingdispatch.com/DispatchFeatures/Saratoga_Horse_du_Jour-_Opening_Day-1/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[One year ago, the Racing Dispatch debuted a new feature called the Horse du Jour. The ensuing six weeks and 36 selections wound up creating a tidy profit for followers. In two subsequent meets at Keeneland the Horse du Jour is 3 for 3 in terms of posting a profit. Opening day at Saratoga is always a terrific day of racing, with two year-old fillies taking center stage in the Schuylerville (G3). It goes as Race 9 and is flanked by the High Rock Spring for NY breds going five and a half panels on the Mellon turf course. It is a turf sprint earlier on the card that draws our attention. The sixth race is a rich N1X allowance event with a strong nine horse field. The morning line favorite is #4 OF ALL TIMES, an inconsistent son of Roar who's fresh off a win against NY bred N2X rivals where he enjoyed a perfect trip while a number of late runners encountered trouble. He will receive plenty of support today as he hails from the barn of Bruce Levine, a high percentage conditioner on quite a roll all over the Northeast. #9 JAZZ NATION is a three year-old son of City Zip who will be making his 2nd start on turf. A debut winner, this guy was put to the test right away as then trainer Reade Baker entered him into the Favorite Trick BC at Monmouth on Breeders' Cup Eve. He finished a solid second that afternoon and ended his juvenile season with a narrow miss against N1X rivals over the Polytrack at Woodbine. He made his 2008 debut on the turf at Gulfstream and the most important element of that effort was the horrendous trip he endured. He was away poorly, forced to check multiple times up the backstretch, floated wide around the turn and still fell only a neck short. He was washed out that day and was making his first start on a new surface off a layoff. With all the adversity he faced, a runner-up finish is awfully impressive. After finishing second in a restricted stakes event at Ocala, this guy was put on the shelf and he subsequently moved into the barn of Steve Asmussen. He fared poorly in his first effort off the layoff over the Tapeta at Presque Isle and now goes 2nd off the bench back on the weeds. The pace in here should be awfully sharp and it doesn't hurt that this guy is from the Zayat Stable, the leading owner at this meet in 2007 by a wide margin. DAY #1 HORSE DU JOUR: Race 6, #9 JAZZ NATION Good luck!<br/><br/>16 Whip(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Proud Spell digs deep for Delaware Oaks decision]]></title>
<link>http://www.racingdispatch.com/RacingNews/Proud_Spell_digs_deep_for_Delaware_Oaks_decision/</link>
<comments>http://www.racingdispatch.com/RacingNews/Proud_Spell_digs_deep_for_Delaware_Oaks_decision/</comments>
<pubDate>Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:15:45 -0500</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Racing News</category>
<guid>http://www.racingdispatch.com/RacingNews/Proud_Spell_digs_deep_for_Delaware_Oaks_decision/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Kentucky Oaks winner Proud Spell looked to be in hot water around the turn of the Delaware Oaks but dug in gamely to score by three-quarters of a length.  She's still on track for the Alabama (G1) on August 16 at Saratoga.<br/><br/>15 Whip(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Thanks for the try, now get back to work...on dirt]]></title>
<link>http://www.racingdispatch.com/DispatchFeatures/Thanks_for_the_try_now_get_back_to_work---on_dirt/</link>
<comments>http://www.racingdispatch.com/DispatchFeatures/Thanks_for_the_try_now_get_back_to_work---on_dirt/</comments>
<pubDate>Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:18:20 -0500</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Dispatch Features</category>
<guid>http://www.racingdispatch.com/DispatchFeatures/Thanks_for_the_try_now_get_back_to_work---on_dirt/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[I am a Curlin fan.  I have no problem admitting it.  I don't hold his trainer's record against him, I don't hold his partial owner's inability properly distribute funds against him.  I cheered like a lunatic when he won the Breeders' Cup Classic and cheered again when Jess Jackson made the announcement he'd be back in 2008.His Dubai World Cup was solid and his Stephen Foster workmanlike. I applaud his connections for trying this champion on turf with an eye towards accomplishing what most feel to be unthinkable, for an American horse to win the Arc. Poker players say you can't lose what you don't risk, but you also don't win much either.The experiment needs to end.  It was a great idea, it was outside the box, and it was ambitious.  I would never call it a mistake, but it needs to end. The story of the Man O' War was the psychotic pace that Sudan and Mission Approved set together.  That's a story unto itself as I can only imagine how David Cohen and John Velazquez explained themselves afterwards.  Curlin was in the clear the entire way, where he likes to be, and was unencumbered by any traffic.  The pace understandably folded in front of him but he was outmoved by Red Rocks.  A nice horse, himself, Red Rocks was also the recipient of a perfect trip.  However, Red Rocks had become a virtual non-entity in European Group I racing.  He hadn't finished better than fourth in a Group I race since winning the 2006 Breeders' Cup Turf.  A funny thing happened today, though, he beat Curlin.There's no way Curlin is capable of competing with the best Europeans around if he couldn't get by Red Rocks with no discernable excuse.  It seems extremely naive to thinkt that Curlin &quot;needed&quot; a race on turf or that he'll move forward in his next try on the weeds.  He is a dirt horse.Thus, if Steve Asmussen and Jess Jackson would like to do what's best for Curlin, it seems quite clear they'd move him back to dirt.  There's still plenty of time to make the Woodward, look for a repeat in the Jockey Club Gold Cup and then contemplate a date with Big Brown in either the Breeders' Cup Classic or even the Clark Handicap.  Hats off to you Mr. Jackson, you are a real sportsman, now please put Curlin back where he belongs.<br/><br/>15 Whip(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Notional first to punch ticket to Arcadia]]></title>
<link>http://www.racingdispatch.com/RacingNews/Notional_first_to_punch_ticket_to_Arcadia/</link>
<comments>http://www.racingdispatch.com/RacingNews/Notional_first_to_punch_ticket_to_Arcadia/</comments>
<pubDate>Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:09:37 -0500</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Racing News</category>
<guid>http://www.racingdispatch.com/RacingNews/Notional_first_to_punch_ticket_to_Arcadia/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Notional, a new arrival to the barn of Mark Hennig after spending his entire career with trainer Doug O'Neill on the west coast, could be headed back after his score in the Salvator Mile (G3), the first Breeders' Cup &quot;Win and You're In&quot; race of 2008.<br/><br/>18 Whip(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Eye for an eye?  No, Jeremy Rose, you deserve more...]]></title>
<link>http://www.racingdispatch.com/Perspectives/Eye_for_an_eye__No_Jeremy_Rose_you_deserve_more---/</link>
<comments>http://www.racingdispatch.com/Perspectives/Eye_for_an_eye__No_Jeremy_Rose_you_deserve_more---/</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:44:55 -0500</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Perspectives</category>
<guid>http://www.racingdispatch.com/Perspectives/Eye_for_an_eye__No_Jeremy_Rose_you_deserve_more---/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Dear Jeremy Rose,As an avid racing fan, someone who is truly attached to the Sport of Kings as an active participant, do all of us who love this game a favor. Take your suspension, go to anger management, pay the vet bills for Appeal to the City, and then find another profession.For those of you out there, and I know you exist, that don't believe that Jeremy Rose's actions in the 3rd race at Delaware were completely reprehensible, feel free to contact me with your opinions.  For those of you, like myself, that found his whipping of Appeal to the City across the face, followed by his continued whipping and then his look to see what type of damage was done to the mare's face, completely reprehensible, then read on.  In a time of heightened sensitivity regarding all things racing, everyone involved in the game must behave carefully. Since May 3 all of us who support horse racing, whether it be with our dollars, our lungs, or our livelihood, have been scrutinized.  We've been accused of following a sport that is cruel, inhumane, and replete with characters blinded by the glitter of the almighty dollar and how they can gain it through the performance of their equines. In my opinion, almost all of what we've been accused of is baloney.  While tragedies like that of Eight Belles occur, they should not cast such a horrendous shadow over a game where plenty of good things take place, both for humans and horses.Then you have incidents like Monday's at Delaware that just add fuel to everyone's fire.  When you have been accused of being a racist, you don't make racial remarks (ahem, Don Imus.)  When you garner your salary in a game whose every facet is being analyzed, you don't make it worse by doing something so inexplicably idiotic like hitting a horse across the face with your whip. So, sorry Jeremy, you've lost all credibility with most racing fans as someone who can ever get on a horse and proclaim that you have their best interests at heart. Prior to Monday you had a terrific career and were one of the bright young stars of this sport.  With one strike of your whip you ruined it all.  I can't imagine there is an owner out there who could ever trust you with their horses' wellbeing after you've been legged up.  I know I couldn't.Sincerely, Nick TammaroContact Nick Tammaro at ntammaro@racingdispatch.com<br/><br/>19 Whip(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Keeneland Horse du Jour- Day 15 (Thursday)]]></title>
<link>http://www.racingdispatch.com/DispatchFeatures/Keeneland_Horse_du_Jour-_Day_15_Thursday/</link>
<comments>http://www.racingdispatch.com/DispatchFeatures/Keeneland_Horse_du_Jour-_Day_15_Thursday/</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:09:29 -0500</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Dispatch Features</category>
<guid>http://www.racingdispatch.com/DispatchFeatures/Keeneland_Horse_du_Jour-_Day_15_Thursday/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The meet is drawing to an end so there's two days left for us to add to the Horse du Jour profit.<br/><br/>24 Whip(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[One year wonder?  Pyro headed to Darley at career's end]]></title>
<link>http://www.racingdispatch.com/RacingNews/One_year_wonder__Pyro_headed_to_Darley_at_careers_end/</link>
<comments>http://www.racingdispatch.com/RacingNews/One_year_wonder__Pyro_headed_to_Darley_at_careers_end/</comments>
<pubDate>Sun, 09 Mar 2008 18:58:05 -0500</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Racing News</category>
<guid>http://www.racingdispatch.com/RacingNews/One_year_wonder__Pyro_headed_to_Darley_at_careers_end/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Pyro, the winner of the Risen Star (G3) and Louisiana Derby (G2), will stand at the Darley operation in Lexington, KY at the end of his career, raising doubt already that he'll run after his three year-old campaign.<br/><br/>45 Whip(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Tackling Tampa Tuesday: Feb 12]]></title>
<link>http://www.racingdispatch.com/DispatchFeatures/Tackling_Tampa_Tuesday_Feb_12/</link>
<comments>http://www.racingdispatch.com/DispatchFeatures/Tackling_Tampa_Tuesday_Feb_12/</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 2008 06:45:05 -0600</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Dispatch Features</category>
<guid>http://www.racingdispatch.com/DispatchFeatures/Tackling_Tampa_Tuesday_Feb_12/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Its time for another installment of Tackling Tampa Tuesday, this time the February 12 edition.  We started off beautifully last week with winners in the first two legs, including a $12.00 winner to kick it off but the third leg bounced us out.  Well try to get it going again as were still in the black for the meet.Race 7, Leg AVery deep starter handicap going two turns on the lawn kicks off the sequence and thoroughly analyzing every contender in this race is no small task.  After sifting through the contenders and pretenders I came up with three that are on the ticket in here.  The first is #6 STARLIGHT SERENADE, who is dropping significantly in class for his second start off a two and a half month layoff.  In his comebacker he finished second in a 62k classified optional claimer.  He is facing much weaker in here and his tactical speed will help him secure a good spot early as #1 SCRUPLES IN and #2 GRAN CESARE should guarantee a lively pace.  #9 ONOTHEREGOESTOKYO is now making his third start off a layoff and showed improvement last time when put back on the turf.  He raced wide that day and despite finishing behind Gran Cesare and #8 DINNER IN ODEM, he gets on the ticket because of his poor trip, recent work and greater upside.  #12 MANCHU PRINCE was stuck in no mans land for much of the stretch run on 1/15 and was free too late to make an impact.  Hes now going 3rd off the layoff and hails from the high percentage barn of Dale Bennett.Race 8, Leg BGood but small group of claimers going two turns here and one of the biggest concerns in here is the pace, or lack thereof.  That led me to #3 PRINCE NICK and aside from the obvious name hunch play, he does seem to be among only a few who might have any interest in the early lead.  He was right up on the pace last time at 7 furlongs and trainer Gerald Bennett has worked him twice since the re-claim to stretch him out again.  If jockey Jose Ferrer can get him out of the gate and to the lead, he might forget to quit.  Im also using #4 SYSTAMATIC SAINT, a Becky Maker trainee who closed willingly last time for 12.5k.  He moves up slightly in class but Maker is doing well at Tampa thus far and this guy seems to be on the verge of a breakthrough.Race 9, Leg COn the cards where a turf sprint race was the featured event it has normally been the separator in the Pick 4 sequence.  With an eye towards that, we cannot deny the strong possibility that #1 BIKINI ATOLL may get loose in the early part of this event and never look back.  Early speed is especially lethal in these turf dashes and her recent bullet workout makes Michael Zweisler and Carlos Montalvos intentions clear.  They are running and gunning.  #2 FAST HAND ran down the aforementioned Bikini in her most recent start, a win at this level back in late December.  She has since been freshened and trainer Rafael Ramos has done quite well over the last year with runners fresh off layoffs.  The late speed she showed and ability to overcome a relatively difficult trip makes her a major player.  The unknown quantity in this event is #7 OFFBEAT FASHION, a four year-old daughter of Rock of Gibraltar who is making her first start in America for Christophe Clement.  Many of the Rocks offspring have been rather adept in these sprints and considering she beat males on two occasions and has worked well, she must be given a long, long look.Race 10, Leg DThe nightcap is a wide-open claimer going two turns for older fillies and mares.  #4 CRUZAN FLING is dropping a notch in class and making her third start off a 71 day layoff.  She chased the pace and quit last time when in for 8k but faces a softer group here and has done enough over this surface in her career to be considered a major player.  #6 FULL EXERTION will be piloted by leading rider Daniel Centeno and is dropping from 8k to 6.25k as well.  She has good tactical speed and might only be a little class relief away from being successful.  Trainer Pamela Angevine has struggled a bit at this stand but this should prove to be a great opportunity to break through.  #10 RAVISHING RUBY will have to be handled carefully by jockey Willie Martinez in order to avoid going wide into the first turn, but her last two performances against this level have been too good to exclude her.  She will have to move forward a bit to contend for the win, but that doesnt seem to be out of the realm of possibility.Heres our ticket: 6,9,12 with 3,4 with 1,2,7 with 4,6,10 TOTAL: $54Good luck this week and well see you back here next week for another Tampa Tuesday!  Be sure to check out the Dispatch Derby Poll released today and keep an eye out for the Dispatch Derby Outlook where Travis Stone and myself review our top 20 Derby contenders.<br/><br/>3 Whip(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Eaton's Gift overpowers Swale rivals from gate to wire]]></title>
<link>http://www.racingdispatch.com/RacingNews/Eatons_Gift_overpowers_Swale_rivals_from_gate_to_wire/</link>
<comments>http://www.racingdispatch.com/RacingNews/Eatons_Gift_overpowers_Swale_rivals_from_gate_to_wire/</comments>
<pubDate>Sat, 02 Feb 2008 22:20:53 -0600</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Racing News</category>
<guid>http://www.racingdispatch.com/RacingNews/Eatons_Gift_overpowers_Swale_rivals_from_gate_to_wire/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[It was a frontrunning score for Eaton's Gift, who is now 3 for his last 3 in one-turn races after today's Swale (G2) score.<br/><br/>3 Whip(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Strong La. Derby Day Preview on tap]]></title>
<link>http://www.racingdispatch.com/RacingNews/Strong_La-_Derby_Day_Preview_on_tap/</link>
<comments>http://www.racingdispatch.com/RacingNews/Strong_La-_Derby_Day_Preview_on_tap/</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 2008 19:11:19 -0600</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Racing News</category>
<guid>http://www.racingdispatch.com/RacingNews/Strong_La-_Derby_Day_Preview_on_tap/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A strong program is slowly being assembled on February 9 at Fair Grounds with BC Juvenile runner-up returning in the Risen Star, 2004 BC Turf champion Better Talk Now slated to return in the Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap along with 2006 Hollywood Derby winner Showing Up.  There could also be a bit of a surprise entrant in the Mineshaft Handicap.<br/><br/>2 Whip(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Tackling Tampa Tuesday: Jan 29]]></title>
<link>http://www.racingdispatch.com/Handicapping/Tackling_Tampa_Tuesday_Jan_29-1/</link>
<comments>http://www.racingdispatch.com/Handicapping/Tackling_Tampa_Tuesday_Jan_29-1/</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:23:14 -0600</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Handicapping</category>
<guid>http://www.racingdispatch.com/Handicapping/Tackling_Tampa_Tuesday_Jan_29-1/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The surroundings may be new but the in-depth original content from The Racing Dispatch will never alter as the next installment of Tackling Tampa Tuesday takes on the January 29 card at the Oldsmar oval.  Todays sequence is arguably the best of any Tuesday during the Tampa meet with no maiden races and a couple of very intriguing turf affairs.  Id be remiss to not include a shout out to the members of Derby Trail whose charge, Kickin N Screamin, will go to the post in Race 8, a $50,000 claiming event for older fillies and mares who have never won two races.  One can count on a very happy winners circle photo if the daughter of Chester House comes under the line first.  With that said, lets get right to the action.Leg A, Race 7The first leg of the Pick 4 is a five furlong dash for starter allowance runners that have run for a claiming price of $5,000 or less since 1/1/07.  This event is absolutely loaded with speed and despite the short distance one must take a long look at any runner who can move at all from a bit off the pace.  That analysis will almost immediately lead you to the probable favorite, #4 MOMENT OF SONG.  This Barbara McBride trainee is making his third start off a two month layoff and finished second at this level in his comebacker late in December.  He then finished second in a two other than optional claimer despite breaking from the rail and being gunned towards the early lead. He has shown success at todays five furlong distance (24:3-9-6) in his career and is a bit more tractable than most of the one-way speedsters surrounding him.  #7 SURE AS SHOOTIN has accumulated a pretty terrible record at Tampa Bay in his career but is now in the hands of Eric Reller who despite a quiet year in 2007 is doing very well at Tampa (15:3-1-2).  This eight year-old son of En Tete is moving turf to dirt after a close sixth against $16k sellers two and a half weeks ago and that turf to dirt move worked beautifully in September at Suffolk, resulting in a score at 10-1.  Sure as Shootin was beaten by the top pick two starts ago by just 2 and  lengths and with a start in the interim I believe that deficit can be bridged.  The potential 7-1 you get here would work much better than the 6/5 on the favorite.In an effort to cover all bases I am going to throw in #6 TRUE GENIUS on the back-up tickets as this old gelding ran a solid third to beaten claimers in his most recent start over a slow and tiring track on 1/18.  Hes now moving up a tad in class but is another contender who would benefit from a pace meltdown.Leg B, Race 8Very wide-open event here with the aforementioned #6 KICKIN N SCREAMIN deserving a long look for trainer Chuck Simon and jockey Rosemary Homeister, Jr.  After a ground saving trip that became ghastly when stymied on the rail in her most recent start, she deserves main ticket status despite facing a bit tougher today.   With the pace a real question mark in here I am going to include #8 GOLDEN CELEBRITY, a hard trying daughter of Forest Wildcat who has run in the money six consecutive times against conditioned claimers at Calder.  Shell be making her first start for trainer James Hartley today and given the lack of early zip in here, she deserves a long look.  One contender you can count on having a great amount of energy late in the race is #3 HURRICANE NIKKI.  This daughter of turf kingpin Mecke finished a solid second when given a generous pace to run at in her most recent start against allowance foes.  She will get your blood flowing at the top of the stretch as her big late kick develops and if its enough to get her to the winners circle we are loath to be knocked out of the Pick 4 because of it.  The one to beat is most definitely #10 R VICARIOUS GIRL, a Wesley Ward trainee who has been knocking heads against one other than foes at Calder, Del Mar, Keeneland, Fair Grounds, and Gulfstream since she broke her maiden over this course at Tampa in April.  She is definitely getting some significant class relief and Ward knows where to spot his horses so that they can give an optimum performance.  On the back-up tickets well throw in #7 SKILLY who broke her maiden two starts ago at Calder than endured a strange trip in her first start against winners.  A big middle move that day left her on empty in the stretch, so a more normal trip rating just off what is expected to be a tepid pace might be the perfect strategy.Leg C, Race 9The third leg of the sequence is an entry level allowance event going a mile and forty yards, a distance previously used only by the Fair Grounds and now defunct Rockingham Park.  It has become more popular at Tampa in recent weeks.  In terms of our ticket were going to let this race go through #6 RAVENCLIFF, a son of Peaks and Valleys who hails from the high percentage barn of Jamie Ness.  In his most recent start, Ravencliff was very slow into stride then entered the turn seven wide before advancing wide up the backstretch and around the turn and finishing a close third.  That paceless race set up poorly for Ravencliff to begin with then when you factor in the extra ground he covered it was truly a horrible trip.  Todays field is rather soft for a N1X so I am not concerned that hes moving up from that $12,500 claimer on 1/17.  Now, in his second start off the layoff, with that disaster of a trip behind him he should post a solid performance.  With a couple of speedsters drawn inside he should get a good trip rating just off the pace and seems quite likely to add to jockey Daniel Centeno and Ness large tally of Tampa triumphs.Just so that we dont have all of our eggs in one basket, well back-up the single here with #1 MY PRIVILEGED who also hails from a high percentage barn.  Trainer Michael Catalano, Jr. is 4 of his first 6 at Tampa and somehow I found a way to bet on the one horse he has started who did not finish in the exacta!  That being said, this guy is shipping down from Hawthorne and is now making his third start off the layoff.  While extended sprints may really be his game, he has a good inside draw with which to save ground and anything close to his 12/6 effort will put him right in the mix.Leg D, Race 10A very salty group of older horses are set to go postward in the nightcap, a five furlong dash on the lawn that drew a field of eight.  The biggest name in the race is #8 WEIGELIA, a graded stakes winner who is making his first start of 2008 in this spot.  He has been successful on the turf in the past but with this being his first start in six months and with some fairly solid runners also set to go, it would seem foolish to just settle on such a short priced favorite.  #1 NOT ACCLAIM finished a solid second in his most recent start, a classified allowance at Calder going five panels on the lawn.  He has good early foot and with the inside draw could find himself on the lead straight away.  #6 PROSICO is another contender who had a solid late summer and fall sprinting on the lawn as his only poor effort was in the maniacally fast Don Ciccio at Hawthorne.  He deserves a long look as he has been a real beast off the layoff in the past and comes from the prolific barn of Dale Bennett.Well use one back-up horse in here, #2 HOLD THE SALT, who should enjoy the return to the weeds after two subpar efforts on the dirt at the Tampa meet.  He is a stakes winner on turf having won the Kentucky Cup Turf Dash at Kentucky Downs in September and could be very dangerous if he gets the right kind of stalking trip.Were going to take the multiple ticket approach espoused by Steven Crist with todays Pick 4 sequence and use tickets that go AAAA, BAAA, ABAA, BBAA, AACA, and AAAC.  Heres the format:AAAA   4,7 / 3,6,8,10 / 6 / 1,6,8  x 4 = $96BAAA   6 / 3,6,8,10 / 6 / 1,6,8    x 2 = $24ABAA   4,7 / 7 / 6 / 1,6,8         x 2 = $12BBAA   6 / 7 / 6 / 1,6,8           x 1 = $3AACA   4,7 /  3,6,8,10 / 1 / 1,6,8 x 1 = $24AAAC   4,7 / 3,6,8,10 / 6 / 2      x 1 = $8TOTAL: $167Good luck with todays sequence and well see you back here with next weeks Tackling Tampa Tuesday.  Keep an eye out later this week for Dispatch on the Trail Part 3 taking a look at the Swale from Gulfstream Park and the Robert Lewis from Santa Anita!Contact Nick Tammaro at ntammaro@racingdispatch.com<br/><br/>2 Whip(s) ]]></description>
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