Tampa Bay Downs Horse Racing Odds & Picks for Saturday, April 18

Tampa Bay Downs Horse Racing Odds & Picks for Saturday, April 18

Written by on April 17, 2020

Tampa Bay Downs’ top race on Saturday goes off as Race 1. The 6 furlong dirt sprint is a $100,000 allowance optional claiming event. In addition to making picks for Race 1, we also make picks for Race 8 and Race 9, a 1-mile turf claiming event. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds from Tampa Bay Downs for Saturday, April 18. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.

Tampa Bay Downs Horse Racing Picks

  • When: Saturday, April 18 at 12:28 pm ET
  • Where: Tampa, FL
  • Weather: Chance of rain showers
  • Temperature: High 85 – Low 72

Tampa Bay Downs Picks for Saturday, April 18

Race 1 – 12:28 pm ET – 6 Furlongs Dirt – $100,000 Allowance Optional Claiming

It remains to be seen if Mahoning Valley horses can carry their good form to Tampa Bay. But in a short field like this, we must take chances on value horses. That value horse is Mahoning Valley runner Diamond Dust. The Timothy Hamm trained 4-year-old gelding hasn’t run since December. But the works are decent and this one has a great 8-5-1 record from 15 races. Give the 6/1 morning line shot a chance.

Gerald Bennett puts My Boy Lenny up for the claim. It makes sense because Bennett got this one for optional $35K in its last. When Gerald last trained Lenny, the 5-year-old gelding won a 6 ½ furlong race by 6 ¼. No doubt, the 7/5 morning line Horse Racing Odds  chalk can win this. But the odds will be much less than 7/5.

Rol Again Question could be the speed of the speed. The Jose Delgado trainee won 2-of-3 before going to the bench. Delgado has 2 winners from 8 runners off 90 days or longer layoffs. The Great Notion sired 7-year-old gelding may not fire right off the bench.

  • Win: Diamond Dust
  • Place: My Boy Lenny
  • Show: Rol Again Question

Race 8 – 4:00 pm ET – 7 Furlongs Dirt –$16,000 Allowance Optional Claiming

Trainer Anthony Ferraro got My Girl Annie to finish second in her first race for him. Annie should get a real nice trip behind the front runners. If jockey Walber Alencar pushes the button at the right time, Annie should fly by the leaders.

10/1 on the morning line Uncommon Factor is in excellent form. The Factor sired 4-year-old filly broke her maiden by 10 lengths in a 6-furlong race in January. She failed in her first against winners but won her last, a 6 ½ furlongs race, by 3 ½. Uncommon Factor can lead this field a long way.

Dreaming Diamonds should go off the chalk. The Cross Traffic runner was fantastic in its first for trainer Victor Carrasco. Antonio Gallardo also sticks. However, this is a jump up in class and a lot of times claimers bounce after lifetime best performances. Will pass for the win money.

  • Win: My Girl Annie
  • Place: Uncommon Factor
  • Show: Dreaming Diamonds

Race 9 – 4:32 pm ET – 1 Mile Turf –$25,000 Claiming

Gallardo gets back aboard Classy Lyn for the ninth. Two races back, Antonio rode Lynn to a 12-length victory going a mile over the turf in a $16K claimer. The slight jump in class shouldn’t bother anyone. Gallardo can put Classy Lyn on the front or see what the other speed does before deciding his initial move.

Here Comes Jackie breaks from post-position 9, but the presser figures to get into a good position before the first turn. Even if Jackie must go wide, she’s talented enough to stay close. Jockey Tom Mejia could take back. She doesn’t often put in a bad run, which means she could close effectively as well. The 2/1 morning line Horse Racing Odds  chalk is the top challenger for win honors.

Jockey Daniel Centeno must decide aboard Classy of Course. The front runner can either try to steal this by going fast early. Or, Centeno can try to slow things down and hope to hold off Classy Lyn and Here Comes Jackie. There’s no right answer, which means, Jackie and Lyn should catch Classy of Course.

  • Win: Classy Lyn
  • Place: Here Comes Jackie
  • Show: Classy of Course