Rain should hit Tampa, Florida on Friday, May 15. Because of the expected rain, we’ll handicap and make horse racing picks for 3 intriguing dirt races. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds from Tampa Bay Downs for Friday, May 15. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.
Tampa Bay Downs Horse Racing Picks
- When: Friday, May 15 at 12:25 pm ET
- Where: Tampa, FL
- Weather: Chance Rain Showers
- Temperature: High 87 – Low 68
Tampa Bay Downs Picks for Friday, May 15
Race 5 – 2:27 pm ET – 6 Furlongs Dirt – $7,000 Waiver Claiming
If Spectacular Road gets an easy lead, expect jockey Gary Wales to put this away before the turn. Road has 2 seconds and a win in its last 5 races. The 7-year-old gelding goes first time for trainer Gary Johnson. Gary wins just 8% at the meet. But he wins 19% first off the claim.
Just Flashy could compromise Spectacular Road’s win chances. The 20/1 morning line runner goes first time for Jennifer Shannon. The hope here is that jockey Ronald Allen Jr. holds off on getting Flashy into a speed duel with Spectacular Road. We’re boxing the top two choices just in case.
Trainer Gerard Ochoa saddles Resident. The 6-year-old gelding takes a slight drop in class from $10,000 claimers, keeps top jock Daniel Centento, and should get a nice trip behind the speed. Flashy and Road must go super-fast to set up Resident for the win, though. We like the Field Commission sired runner to finish third.
- Win: Spectacular Road
- Place: Just Flashy
- Show: Resident
Race 7 – 3:30 pm ET – 5 ½ Furlongs Dirt –$8,000 Claiming
4-year-old gelding Savage Music bombed in its first two races this year. The Gerald Bennett trained front-runner threw in the towel both times. Things could be different on Friday. Savage Music should get the lead while 2/1 chalk Mister Storm goes into this off a lifetime best speed rating. The last time Mister Storm did that, the favorite bounced big time. We’ll back the 10/1 morning line overlay.
Actspectation may have garnered top choice consideration if not for the post. It’s good to be outside of other speed but post-position 12 is too far outside. If not for the post, we’d likely put this one on top. So, if you believe Music gives up again, here’s the one to consider for the win.
If Mister Storm bounces, the gelding finishes off the board, which is why Easy Deligh deserves attention for the show slot. The Gerard Ochoa runner has 6 third place finishes from 29 races. There’s a good chance the Rock Hampton runner gets third again.
- Win: Savage Music
- Place: Actspectation
- Show: Mister Storm
Race 9 – 4:35 pm ET – 6 Furlongs Dirt – $18,000 Claiming
Robert Raymond trained Uncle Kevin could make it 2 in a row after breaking its maiden in its last. Kevin is the speed of the speed. No other horse can get the lead in this. Also, Raymond clocks 18% with his last out maiden winners.
Cliffy broke its maiden at first asking. Trainer Michael Dini entered the Revolutionary sired gelding into a $75,000 optional claimer on the turf. Cliffy had no shot against those quality runners. This is a major drop in class while Cliffy gets a nice trip if someone goes with Kevin.
3/1 on the morning line Total Distraction could go off the favorite. The Teresa Connelly trained runner finished second at this distance and over this track in an optional claiming $16,000 race two back. Distraction could win. But the odds should be nothing to write home about.
- Win: Uncle Kevin
- Place: Cliffy
- Show: Total Distraction
