Tampa Bay Downs Horse Racing Odds & Picks for Friday, April 24

Tampa Bay Downs Horse Racing Odds & Picks for Friday, April 24

Written by on April 23, 2020

After taking Thursday off, Tampa Bay resumes racing on Friday, April 24. Plenty of intriguing maiden claiming races are on Friday’s card. We make picks for two of those races as well as a deep $8,000 claimer in the eighth. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds from Tampa Bay Downs for Friday, April 24. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.

Tampa Bay Downs Horse Racing Picks

  • When: Friday, April 24 at 12:28 pm ET
  • Where: Tampa, FL
  • Weather: Rain Showers Likely
  • Temperature: High 89 – Low 72

Tampa Bay Downs Picks for Friday, April 24

Race 4 – 1:52 pm ET – 1 1/16 Miles Turf – $25,000 Maiden Claiming

Trainer Joan Scott drops Etelka from maiden special weight to maiden claiming. Scott wins just 11% with the move. But this one showed enough in her lone race last December to warrant win consideration here.

Baci has a recency edge over the top choice. The Gerald Bennett trainee goes third time for the 23% winning trainer, finished second in her last race, and could grab the lead and not look back. If not for the 3/1 chalky morning line, we’d consider putting Baci on top.

Underrated horseman James Gulick puts the saddle on first time starter By Th Light of Day. The Suntracer sired filly shows a great work tab for her debut. Gulick has a debut turf win from 4 starters. She’s a must use in the exotics.

  • Win: Etelka
  • Place: Baci
  • Show: By Th Light of Day

Race 6 – 2:55 pm ET – 5 ½ Furlongs Dirt –$16,000 Maiden Claiming

Trainer Victor Barboza has a top contender in first time starter Gran Old Parr. The Kantharos sired 3-year-old gelding has worked great leading up to this. Barboza wins 21% maiden claimers, 23% with horses in sprints, and 18% with debut maiden claimers.

Uknowthedrill doesn’t run for a trainer known for his first time starters. But the Drill Lawyer 3-year-old had a fantastic work out of the gate on April 18. Top speed jockey C.C. Lopez takes the call while this field, outside of possibly Gran Old Parr, leaves a lot to be desired. Uknowthedrill can take these a long way.

Jockey Walber Alencar rode Bee by the Sea to an okay sixth place finish in the debut. Trainer Max Ubide gives this one Lasix. Bee by the Sea should improve, which could be good enough for a top 3 placing.

  • Win: Gran Old Parr
  • Place: Uknowthedrill
  • Show: Bee by the Sea

Race 8 – 3:58 pm ET – 5 ½ Furlongs Dirt –$8,000 Claiming

Fort King goes for 37% winning trainer Georgina Baxter. The 4-year-old More Than Ready sired gelding broke its maiden at the $10k claiming level in its last. Baxter wins 22% with ponies coming off a layoff. She wins 30% with horses in a claiming race, and 28% with her sprinters. King should get a nice trip behind the Delgado runner.

Like Baxter, Jose Delgado has a last out maiden winner as well. Highwaytwentyseven broke its maiden by 4 ¾ lengths. The gelding should grab the lead over Fort King. If Jockey Samy Camacho aboard King allows Highwaytwentyseven to get away, this one can steal the race. So, consider in an exacta box with the top choice.

Bueno Bueno Bueno could eat a lot of win dollars. The Ian Wilkes trainee drops from the $50k allowance state-bred level into this bottom level claimer. But Wilkes isn’t having a great meet. Also, why drop so far? Based on the racing form, triple Bueno is a must use in the exotics. Take a long look before betting on the nose, though.

  • Win: Fort King
  • Place: Highwaytwentyseven
  • Show: Bueno Bueno Bueno