1/ST BET and Xpressbet are offering a $25,000 Exacta-Thon on Saturday’s racing at Tampa Bay Downs. The 9-race card will provide horseplayers a chance for an extra boost to their balance.
As you play Saturday’s Tampa Bay Downs races, give extra consideration to exacta bets. That’s because players at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet who cash any exacta combination in at least 6 of the 9 Tampa Bay Downs races on Saturday will share in an additional $20,000 in free cash. The player(s) who hit the most exactas on the day will be rewarded with their share of an additional $5,000. Exacta-Thon contest wagers are at $2 minimums ($1 exactas do not apply).
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Tampa Bay Downs // Race 1
Notable: Claiming race is loaded with early speed and sprinters stretching out in distance. #1 Mr Jack has shown some patience in recent starts and will save ground with a chance to make a move late. But he’s not a great finisher, more apt to come up just short. I’ll key him first and second with the class-dropping speeds to the outside.
Exacta-Thon Plays:
Key-box 1 with 6,7 ($8)
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Tampa Bay Downs // Race 2
Notable: No strong feel for this race as #3 Dreaming of Style returned from 1-1/2 years away to spread-eagle an easier bunch last time for high-percentage connections. She’ll likely handle the modest class rise if she came out of that win well, but there are no workouts since that Feb. 18 win, raising some concern. #6 Alexa’s Dream has zero sprint speed showing on her form, but has been facing tougher and did break her maiden at 6 furlongs on dirt back in January 2023.
Exacta-Thon Plays:
Part-Wheel 6 with 1,2,3,4 ($8)
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Tampa Bay Downs // Race 3
Notable: Turf claimers this meet have been extremely formful with 42% winning favorites and an average winner at 7-2, far below what you see overall. #3 Gray Vixen and #8 Cupid’s Strike should be well-backed and formidable. #1 Tapit It Up is better than her last, as is #2 Anador, who drew terribly in post 12 and now has an advantage inside off the infield turf chute start. #5 Laloba Feroz should fit well as this level over a course she relishes.
Exacta-Thon Plays:
3,8 with 3,8,1,2,5 ($16)
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Tampa Bay Downs // Race 4
Notable: Maiden claiming dirt sprints also have been havens for favorites at the meet, winning over 44%. Trainer Maria Bowersox has had some success in these spots and sends out #7 Bet the Howes, who shares the field’s best, last-out Beyer figure and likely will take wagering action for that. #5 Unfieds Princess may have finally found a field she can beat and adds blinkers, but 6 third-place finishes in 12 starts is hard to trust on top. Tread very lightly in this field. Watch the tote and lean toward the chalk in contest plays.
Exacta-Thon Plays:
Straight 7-5 ($2) for a contest play only.
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Tampa Bay Downs // Race 5
Notable: Turf allowance features two Chad Brown trainees, #1 Startup Mentality and #4 Royalty Interest for a barn that’s 8: 2-3-0 this meet in turf allowances. Brown has gone to Samy Camacho more often over the years at Tampa, according to the Betmix database, so Startup Mentality may be the stronger of the pair. But he’s had a lot of success in the past several years with Antonio Gallardo (11-23) on Royalty Interest. They’re obviously big players, but #2 Damaso should show early speed and be the one to catch on a modest pace. Look for her to split the Brown pair.
Exacta-Thon Plays:
Part-Wheel 1,4 with 2 ($4) play multiple times
Part-Wheel 2 with 1,4 ($4) play fewer times
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Tampa Bay Downs // Race 6
Notable: #6 Whats Goin On should be a solid favorite for Jose D’Angelo-Antonio Gallardo connections that are a crazy 48% in tandem at the meet. Gulfstream shipper #10 Mudshaft picks up jockey Gabriel Maldonado, who has been Tampa’s top pilot this season in 5-1/2 furlong dirt dashes like this (5-17, 29%). This mare hasn’t won often or in a long, long time, but her recent string of top-3 efforts makes her interesting in the exacta slots. I’ll focus on this pair. You could certainly add additional runners underneath them to your budget.
Exacta-Thon Plays:
Box 6-10 ($4)
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Tampa Bay Downs // Race 7
Notable: Essentially this same starter allowance was run Feb. 23 and the 2-3-4-5 finishers who couldn’t clear the condition that day against a wire-to-wire winner are back. I’ll look to fresh faces. #6 Big Louie fits the race conditions beautifully, but is just 1-for-16 and tough to trust on the win end for a barn 0-for-19 in 2024 and jockey hitting 2% at the meet. Feels like underneath potential and I’ll put him below all the fresh faces who didn’t run here Feb. 23.
Exacta-Thon Plays:
Part-Wheel 2,5,7,8,10 with 6 ($10)
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Tampa Bay Downs // Race 8
Notable: Tempo looks strong and competitive among several players, giving #5 Sea Art a big-time chance to pounce late while cutting back in distance should naturally put him midflight in this 6-furlong sprint. Like the jockey move to Pablo Morales here for high-percent barn that rarely gets him. Certainly want a win bet here beyond the contest plays as one of my stronger opinions on the card.
Exacta-Thon Plays:
Part-Wheel 6 with 1,3,4 ($6)
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Tampa Bay Downs // Race 9
Notable: As mentioned earlier, turf claimers this meet have been extremely formful with 42% winning favorites and an average winner at 7-2, far below what you see overall. #2 Harpoon Harry has consistent form and well-drawn, while #8 Nautilus comes off a big figure for high-percentage trainer Jamie Ness and top pilot Antonio Gallardo. They make sense in a race that has made sense most of the meet. Hone in on those two and sprinkle in some prices. You’ll want more weight on the 2-8 combo when gambling, but some extra padding of contenders for contest purposes in the final race if you’re needing that all-important sixth exacta win.
Exacta-Thon Plays:
Part-Wheel 2,8 with 2,8,3,6,9 ($16)
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