Eddie G Wins as Tampa Returns to Turf

The speed and the favorites did not hold up at Tampa Bay Downs in the third race - the track's first on the turf since last Wednesday.

Eddie G, at 8-1, raced in fifth place until the horses neared the final turn and then shot ahead and was unchallenged  as he won the one mile $16,000 claiming race. It was for 4-year-olds and up that had not won more than one race.

Eddie G, ridden by Mike Allen, finished about five  lengths ahead of the late-running 28-1 shot Two Step Cowboy.  Hoon, at 3-1, finished third in the ten-horse field.

The winner, trained by Dennis Ward, won in 1:37.90 on the course listed as firm.

The $2 exacta paid $214.80.

Today's fifth and seventh races also are on turf. We'll be back at the end of the day with  recap and a look at what's ahead at Tampa Bay Downs
  

3    Eddie  G                             $14.80	$8.40	$5.00
2    Two Step Cowboy	$21.40	$11.00
4    Hoon	.	.$3.60

- Jim Freer          

Tampa On Turf for Upcoming Third Race

The third is coming up at 1:25 at Tampa Bay.  

It is a $16,000 claimer at one mile  on turf for 4-year-olds and up that have not won more than one race.

This is the first turf race at Tampa since last Wednesday and will be a chance to gauge how the  now firm course will play this  week.

Irish Jade (post 6) and I Am Who I Am (post 10) ran against tougher most of last year, and from our perspective look like the class.

Greg Rules has the one hole and could try to wire the field. He broke his maiden in his last start, an off-the-turf race at Tampa Bay.  He is 2-1, largely because of the team of Jamie Ness and Antonio Gallardo.
--Jim Freer

Gallardo Leads Jockeys in Wins at Tampa Bay and Nationally

Antonio Gallardo has mounts in nine of ten races at Tampa Bay Downs today.  

 
That gives him a big chance to add to his lead in his jockey standings at Tampa Bay and in North America.

The only race in which Gallardo is not riding is the first, with  scheduled post of 12:25 p.m.  So, there are plenty of ways to bet on his horses at chalk prices--while seeking ways to make bigger money by combining them with long shots  in exotic bets.

Through Sunday’s card, Gallardo has 67 wins in Tampa Bay’s 205-2016 meet that began Nov. 28 and will extend through May 8. The track will then be dark until  June 30 when it will officially end the meet.

Ronald Allen Jr. has 31 Tampa Bay wins and is in second place in what likely will remain a close battle for that spot. Fernando De La Cruz is third with 30 wins, followed by Daniel Centeno with 27.

Gallardo is seeking his third straight Tampa Bay Downs riding title.

Going into today's races, Gallardo has 34 wins  thus far in 2016.  Florent Geroux, who rides mostly at Fair Grounds in Louisiana, and Russell Baze, who rides mostly at Golden Gate Fields in California, are tied for second with  29 wins. 

Jose Ortiz who rides mostly at Aqueduct leads in purses won with $1,197,331.  He  has 24 wins. Joel Rosartio, who  rides mostly at Gulfstream,  is second in  earnimngs with $1,191,343.

Gallardo is 20th in earnings with $495,866.  That points to the discrepancies in purse money between Tampa Bay Downs and several tracks that have larger purses, due  primarily to more stakes races.  

Gallardo rides mostly at Tampa Bay Down and later in the year at Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pa. 

In 2015, Gallardo had 320 wins to place him second in the North American standings. He was 39th in earnings with $5,441,499.

Javier Castellano was first last year in victories with 344 and in purse money with $28,121,767.  He is riding again at Gulfstream and has 19 wins so far this year.  

For the 2015-2016 Gulfstream meet he leads jockeys with 47 wins followed by Luis Saez with 41.
-- Jim Freer 

This Week at Florida’s Tracks: Feb. 1 to Feb. 5

HorseracingFLA Staff Report

Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs will both have their regular schedules this week.

Gulfstream will have racing Wednesday through Sunday. First post is 12:35 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and on Sundays. First post is 12:05 p.m. on Saturdays.

On Saturday Feb. 6 it will have the Donn Handicap (Grade 1), the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (Grade 1) and four other stakes races.

Tampa Bay Downs will have racing on Wednesday and then on Friday through Sunday. First post time is usually 12:25 p.m. Please check this Web site and/or our blog on race day mornings.

Tampa Bay Downs will not have any stakes races this weekend.

On Saturday Feb. 13, it will have four stakes races including the Sam F. Davis (Grade 3) at 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-olds.

The Gulfstream stakes races this coming Saturday are:

*$500,000 Donn Handicap (Grade 1)—1 1/8 miles on dirt;4-year-olds and up

*$350,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (Grade 1)—1 1/8 miles on turf; 4-year-olds and up

*$150,000 Suwannee River (Grade 3)—1 1/8 miles on turf; fillies and mares; 4-years-old and up

*$100,000 Fred Hooper (Grade 3) – one mile on dirt; 4-year-olds and up

*75,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint – 5 furlongs on turf; 4-year-olds and up

*$75,000 Ladies Turf Sprint – 5 furlongs on turf; fillies and mares 4-years-old and up

Gulfstream Park

901 S. Federal Highway Hallandale Beach, Fla. 33009 Phones — (954) 454-7000 Gulfstream Park Website

Gulfstream has racing on Wednesdays through Sundays during its winter meet that ends April 3.

In addition to live racing, Gulfstream has: * Simulcast wagering — seven days a week with more than 30 thoroughbred and harness tracks; open for simulcasting from 11 a.m. until approximately 11 p.m.

* Casino — the two casino rooms are open from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays

* Poker — 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays, and 24 hours on Saturdays and Sundays.

Tampa Bay Downs

11225 Race Track Road, Tampa, Florida 33626 Main Phone (813) 855-4401 Toll Free (In Florida) (866)-TBDOWNS (823-6967) Tampa Bay Downs Website

Tampa Bay Downs will have four-day race weeks for most of its meet that will extend through next May 8. Race days will be Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

There are three exceptions. It will have racing on Thursday Feb. 18 and Thursday Feb. 25 and be dark on Easter Sunday, March 27.

On days when it does not have live racing, Tampa Bay Downs is open for simulcasting and its poker room and golf range are open their regular hours.

*The Silks Poker Room hours of operation: Daily, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 a.m.

The Downs Golf Practice Facility hours of operation:

Pro Shop: 8:30 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. daily (Last bucket sold at 7:45 p.m.)

Range: 8:30 a.m. – dusk daily

Short Game Area: 8:30 a.m. – dusk daily (lights out at 9:45 p.m.)




This Week at Florida’s Tracks: Feb. 1 to Feb. 5