Scott Shapiro: Wednesday Wins Tampa/Turfway Picks | February 25, 2026

February is nearly complete, which means horseplayers last chance at our two-month long Wednesday Wins promotion. I am sure most of you by now have registered on the promotional landing page, but for those just checking in, be sure to do so. It is simple. Just bet $50 each Wednesday (February 25) at Tampa Bay Downs and Turfway Park and receive a $10 bonus. I have been taking part and will do so again relying on these horses.


Tampa Bay Downs, Race 6
The pace should be honest in the Wednesday feature in Oldsmar, Florida given the presence of #1 X Y Prime and #2 Tapirs Valor. Potentially 2-1-ML favorite #5 Digital Ops will be close to the pace early as well. This bodes well for second choice #4 Twilight Dancer. The Pennsylvania-bred gelding stretches back out to two-turns after stalking early and tiring late against a strong group of allowance runners going 7-furlongs just ten days ago. Owner/trainer Juan Arriagada wheels this son of Tapiture back quickly suggesting he came out of the last race fine. He has lacked gate speed in his last few starts, but should be full of run late with a solid pace to chase under jockey Antonio Gallardo.

Play: #4 Twilight Dancer (5-2 ML)


Turfway Park, Race 7
It is not often I endorse a Southern California import at Turfway Park, but I like the chances of #4 Sakura Blossom in this second level-allowance at 10-furlongs. The daughter of Classic Empire is winless since March ’24, but has kept solid company in turf and dirt races out west. Leonard Powell is a capable horseman that generally means business when he ships horses out of town that enters a mare that comes in off a third-place effort in the Astra at 1-1/2 miles in a race that fell apart late. Powell attracts Walter Rodriguez. If this gal takes to the surface switch, she should be tough to get by late.

Play: #4 Sakura Blossom (3-1 ML)


Turfway Park, Race 8
My final Wednesday spot play comes in this auction restricted MSW for 3YO fillies at one mile where I like second-time starter #5 Quality View. The Essential Quality filly debuted in an open $50k maiden claimer on January 21 and was arguably best when finishing fourth beaten just a length. The Chris Davis trainee was caught three-wide into the first turn and remained wide throughout, yet got the best of those prominently placed before being run over by a trio of closers. I like that Davis finds a protected spot for the $60k FTK February purchase that comes in off a pair of maintenance drills over this surface since the solid start to her career. Jockey Joe Ramos sticks around.

Play: #5 Quality View (10-1 ML)

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