Tampa Bay Downs Horse Racing Odds & Picks for Saturday, May 23

Tampa Bay Downs Horse Racing Odds & Picks for Saturday, May 23

Written by on May 22, 2020

There’s only a slight chance that thunderstorms hit Tampa on Saturday. We’re confident the rains will stay away, which is why we’ve chosen to handicap and make free horse racing picks for three turf races at Tampa Bay Downs. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds from Tampa Bay Downs for Saturday, May 23. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.

Tampa Bay Downs Horse Racing Picks

Tampa Bay Downs Picks for Saturday, May 23

Race 5 – 2:40 pm ET – 1 Mile Turf – $16,000 Maiden Claiming

Trainer Gerald Bennett wins just 8% with horses trying turf for the first time. But this field lacks a standout runner. In fact, it’s the perfect field for us to grab overlay odds on a horse from a top barn. Dramatone is 20/1 on the morning line. Even though the stats say she fails, Big Drama, her sire, ran some great races over the sod. Who knows? Maybe, the reason she’s 0-for-4 is because she prefers the grass. Also, she takes a drop in class, which nobody else in this field is doing.

At 2/1 on the morning line, Big Liz won’t offer good enough odds for us to back to win. But the Antonio Machado trained runner sure has the resume to finally break the maiden. Then again, it’s tough to back any maiden that’s 0-for-10.

VK Legacy is 0-for-12. She runs hard but doesn’t appear to have the talent to get a victory. If Dramatone doesn’t wake up on the grass and Big Liz decides to go one-paced, VK could win. Make sure to use on top in exotics if her odds float above the 4/1 morning line.

  • Win: Dramatone
  • Place: Big Liz
  • Show: VK Legacy

Race 7 – 3:43 pm ET – 1 1/16 Miles Turf –$10,000 Waiver Claiming

Trainer Robert Bordis doesn’t saddle many horses. When he does, they’re often well-meant. That’s why we think 20/1 on the morning line Circle Away has a big chance to win this $10,000 waiver claimer. The 6-year-old gelding sired by Circular Quay has a 1-1-1 record from 11 races over the grass. Bordis wins 20% with his dirt to turf runners and 20% with his turf starters.

Antonio Gallardo rides Whistle Me Home. The Passion for Gold sired runner has a sweet 2-2-2 record from 10 races over Tampa’s turf. This one ran awesome as an over 12/1 shot on the dirt in its last. The gelding could win. If you don’t want to take a shot on underdog Circle Away consider backing this one to grab the victory.

Delta Levy gets Daniel Centeno to ride. That alone makes this one a contender. But the 3-time Anthony Granitz trained runner is 5/2 on the morning line. This field is too deep to back any runner to win at low odds.

  • Win: Circle Away
  • Place: Whistle Me Home
  • Show: Delta Levy

Race 9 – 4:47 pm ET – 1 Mile Turf – $30,000 Maiden Claiming

Thomas Proctor is a master turf trainer. That’s why we shouldn’t get giddy after seeing The Connector’s 4/1 odds. It’s doubtful the son of City Zip keeps that number. Proctor raced this one at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf. Thomas wins 13% first at a route. He wins 33% first-time maiden claiming.

Trainer Dale Bennett wins 42% first time blinkers. Bennett puts the shades on 5/2 chalk Empty Holster. The 3-year-old gelding should be in a good position to overtake The Connector as they turn for home. If the Proctor runner isn’t up to the task, the chalk wins this.

Burl doesn’t have much of a chance to get it’s picture taken. Trainer Michele Boyce wins just 5% going turf to dirt. But the last race was fantastic and the gelded son of Daaher takes a step down in class.

  • Win: The Connector
  • Place: Empty Holster
  • Show: Burl