Fillies and mares will be in the spotlight in a trio of route races that comprise the Late Pick 3 at Tampa Bay Downs this Friday, March 21. A pair of one-mile turf tests drew full fields to start and end the sequence. Here’s a closer look and a suggested $1 Pick 3 ticket that costs $28:
TAM 7th race (4:00 p.m. EST) -- Proven turf form abounds in this $32,000 optional claiming race, as the 10 sophomore fillies scheduled to start are a combined 9-for-23. But ALTAMIRA SUR has clearly gone to the head of the class. She was a bit unsettled in the gate and bumped by an inner rival after it sprung open, but recovered strongly for her third consecutive long-distance victory. She backed off the pace under a snug hold into the first turn, swept quickly when asked for run 3-wide on the final turn and continued strong on the gallop out after she won going away. She is today’s solo play in the Pick 3.
TAM 8th race (4:35 p.m. EST) -- THAT’S MY CAT has never won on conventional dirt, but she runs for the cheapest claiming tag of her career and deserves a longshot look. She raced within striking range of front-end terror Paper Mansion (16-for-31) in three turf route races, disappeared in her first start this year, raced evenly off a fastest-of-45 workout against next-out repeater Pure Elegance (lifetime best 73 Beyer) and gained late for fourth behind the favorites last out. ONCE AN EAGLE won off the claim at this distance, sustaining a long rally to pass the free-running favorite and another rival who got first run at the lead. SEATTLE CAUSEWAY didn’t show her usual zip in her first start on dirt, but she still merits respect off her prior running lines and class drop for a 23-percent barn with the second-off-the-layoff types. MURUMBI is a six-figure earner with a 29/5-7-6 record at 1-1/16 miles and should get plenty of pace to run at from the rail.
TAM 9th race (5:10 p.m. EST) -- With room to spare on the ticket, go deep in the final leg. SARATOGA GAZE carried her speed to 1-2-3 finishes at the level in her last three starts, the latest on the main track. She is a must use on the ticket but offers little value. E M’S TREASURE GIRL was favored but couldn’t reach SARATOGA GAZE in that turf-to-dirt route race on a day when six winners went wire-to-wire. MEMPHIS SHOWBOAT lacked room from the 5/16s to the 1/8th pole and finished third behind a next-out repeater when last seen in the fall. LINNY KATE missed in a blanket finish the last time she ran on the turf in a race won by Up Her Sleeve (7-18, $150k on turf). TIMELESS ROSE took serious money but was rank and no factor at this level, but she’s worth using at an inflated price as the light weight in the field. RED WIND, a nine-time winner on grass, won twice at this level in December and finished a willing third in a 1-1/8-mile turf marathon recently.
Suggested $1 Ticket
TAM 7th Race: 2
TAM 8th Race: 1, 4, 5, 6
TAM 9th Race: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10
Cost: $28
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