Free Florida Selections

by Ed Meyer

posted on March 11, 2011 in Free Picks and Tips, Handicapping | 4 Comments >>

The Sunshine State will be rocking on Saturday, and my money will be laying in the sun. I think you will want to follow the action on this day, and WinningPonies will be dialed in to mine for the gold.

Tampa Bay Downs – Saturday

Race #5 – #5 Media Madness (5-2)

Ramon Dominguez is in the saddle for Graham Motion.  This is a nice filly by Empire Maker, and she loves the grass. With a win and a second place finish to her credit, I see big things happening today. Dominguez comes alive on the money days, and this may be one of his undercard winners.  The work at Palm Meadows is a deal sealer.

Race #7 – #2 Pluck (1-1)

Dominguez and Motion again, and this one looks like a single for your multi-race gimmicks. One mile on the turf looks tempting. He comes over from the Pletcher barn and Motion does good things with new clients.  Exits the B/C  Juvenile Turf, and beat Soldat in that effort.  He looks to be a turf beast, and should live up to top billing.

Race #9 – #5  Zagora (5-2)

Dominguez again in the G-3 Hillsborough for Chad Brown.  Been off since Keeneland, and gets first time lasix. I like grass runners getting the juice, and coming over from Deauville was a big move for this filly. She likes the weeds, and makes huge class drop from G-1 down to G-3 company. The jock and trainer roll well, at a 21% clip on the turf.

Race #11 – #7 Free Entry (7-2)

Uncle Mo is not supposed to run by all accounts, and Free Entry may have picked up a big pot. 3rd off a layoff, and Chad Brown does very well. Alan Garcia is quietly one of the best riders in the nation.  This son of Tale of the Cat is a big hitter, and is 2/2 with wins at Gulfstream. I think he is maturing, and not having Mo in the neighborhood is a good thing for his connections.

Gulfstream Park

Race #9 – #5 Queen’s Plate Kitten (6-1)

A son of Kitten’s Joy, and is a ripe price 6-1. John Velasquez and Pletcher connect, and they know how to win. The four-wide move edging away last out will give you confidence. I love to play the K.J. runners, and Johnny V is a hot boot anywhere he tacks.

Race #10 – #1 Rule (3-1)

The one turn Gulfstream Handicap is a great race. John V and Pletcher should have won last out in the Donn Hcp, and I see an improved effort along the rail. Giant Oak inhaled them last out, and they will be better off today. He gives an “A” effort every time, and that always makes him dangerous anywhere he goes.

Best of luck, and be sure to check out the new handicapping info for the riders and trainers at winningponies.com.  That info has always played a role in my handicapping, and I am sure you will find it the difference sometimes between winning and losing.

Good luck, and enjoy the weekend!