How to play the Tampa Bay Pick 4

With three stakes and a deep turf claimer compromising the sequence, here is an analysis of the Late Pick 4 at Tampa on Saturday.

Race 9: The Suncoast

For an ungraded stakes race, this came up a demanding race, one that drew numerous invaders from south Florida. One of those, Sweet Diane (9), is the top selection, not only based on what she did there when second in the Hut Hut, but also due to the advantage of having trained at Tampa since for highpercentage trainer Mike Stidham. Others that warrant use in the Pick 4 include a pair of blowout maiden winners at Gulfstream, Point of Honor (7) and Tapit’s Princess (3).

Race 10: The Endeavour

Time for a single, using only Rymska (8). Besides being a Grade 1 class dropper and a multiple Grade 3 winner, she is trained by Chad Brown, whose fillies and mares have reigned supreme in major grass stakes across the country in recent years.

Race 11: The Sam F. Davis

Not fully trusting Knicks Go (3) to rebound following a disappointing effort in the Kentucky Jockey Club, the nod in the Sam F. Goes to Kentucky Wildcat (6), a developing Tapit colt who graduated from the maiden races at third asking at Aqueduct Dec. 1. Right behind him was Country House, a colt who would return to break his maiden decisively at Gulfstream this winter. One must also respect So Alive (8) in this race given the success trainer Todd Pletcher has experienced in Sam F. Davis over the years. Still, this one is not particularly fast. He needs a leap forward, though he does have a winning race over the Tampa surface. Let’s use Kentucky Wildcat, So Alive, and even Knicks Go as a backup – plus Cave Run (4) and Five Star General (7), and hope to connect with one of the better prices.

Race 12: $16,000 Claiming

Adios Nardo (1) has won two straight, and is the most likely winner of the nightcap. He also is drawn in a position to save ground from the inside post. He seems ulikely to offer much value, however – something At the Ready (4) and Gray Dude (8) should provide. As contenders, they go on the ticket. At the Ready hinted he is cycling back into peak form by running second Jan. 26, his best race since the winter of 2016-2017, and Gray Dude drops in class and has a winning trainer/jockey combination.