The 50-cent Late Pick 4 at Tampa Bay Downs paid more than $1,150 three times in the past week. The trend could continue this Friday, Feb. 2, with 40 entries spanning the last four races on the card. Here’s a closer look with a suggested $42 play:
TAM 6th race (3:03 p.m. EST) -- Go deep in the first leg of the Pick 4. FLIPPING FISH was dismissed at 7-2 odds or less in 16 of his last 17 starts for a reason. He’s ultra-consistent, loves to win and has good tactical speed. FREEDOM ROAD dueled through soft fractions and held off FLIPPING FISH for second at 7F, but he can alter tactics and rally into winning contention in this spot with a faster pace likely. AUGER earned nearly $80,000 last year in Ohio and sparred with FLIPPING FISH several times for top honors. LORD BERRIER hasn’t run 6-1/2F since he won twice as a 4-year-old at Tampa by a combined 14 lengths. He’s worth using at 10-1 on the morning line. DOIN’ITTHERIGHTWAY won 3 of his last 4 starts going a route of ground on fast, good and sloppy tracks – and he can save ground from the rail. EXACTING is lightly raced, but he has five wire-to-wire wins at as many distances in his last 12 starts. BIG BUCKSALOT won his second consecutive long sprint in a race that produced two next-out winners; however, a claim on him was voided by the vet.
TAM 7th race (3:34 p.m. EST) -- LUCKY LUCKY LUKE is working forwardly for his first start since a claim on him was voided in October. He gets ample pace flow to launch a winning rally if he avoids a recurring slow start. SAM STORMY rallied for third behind even-money favorite R ADMIRAL two back and hard-hitting ALEMAN (5/3-2-0, $62K), now makes his seasonal debut for a 17-percent layoff barn. CORONOVA is knocking on the door for his first turf victory, leading at the stretch call in 3 of his last five starts on the lawn, only to lose in photo finishes.
TAM 8h race (4:04 p.m. EST) -- SHAKEN AND SHIMMY sat a good trip off a 4-way pace battle and loomed boldly when he swung 5-wide for the stretch drive. But he floated wide and was no match for the 7-to-5 winner. He won twice in photo finishes with Allen aboard and benefits from the shorter distance. STRONGER TOGETHER, the light-weight in the 10-horse field, was no factor in his winter return to Tampa but he finished behind a next-out winner and two runners-up who posted average 80 Beyers. In his prior start at Woodbine, he trailed after a crowded start and swept to command with a 4-wide bid at the quarter pole to win.
TAM 9th race (4:38 p.m. EST) -- The top four finishes from a December 27 race under these conditions reunite in today’s finale. FIEDELIGHTCAYUT repelled two challenges and found more in deep stretch to spring the 18-1 upset. He faces a tougher task from post 10 with more speed in the race, but he gets Lasix and could repeat at another good price. LORD KNOWS, an easy maiden breaker in his turf debut, had the toughest trip of the returnees when he was shuffled late on the backstretch and steadied sharply when blocked with run at the eighth pole. He is a must use on the ticket.
Suggested 50-Cent Ticket
TAM 6th Race: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
TAM 7th Race: 1, 2, 8
TAM 8th Race: 2, 3
TAM 9th Race: 7, 10
Cost for 50-cent ticket: $42
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