Tabby Lane: Tampa Bay 6th 3-13

Here is how Tabby Lane’s race is shaping up for this afternoon:

1 Venado (Kimmel – Allen, Jr.) – Coming in off a MSW win here at Tampa last out. It was a romp, but will need to pick up the pace against these.

2 TABBY LANE (Rhone – Butler)

3 Wedding Fever (Brandebourger – Rodriguez) – Still a maiden and lost to VENADO by 7 lengths last out.

4 Sticky Wicket (Lerman – Gonzalez) – Won last out at $16,000 after a brief winter respite. May ned more room than 6 furlongs, but a late in the race force.

5 Flurtini (Ness – Centeno) – Two close seconds in $20,000+ claiming races. In for the tag here at $16,000 and is the rightful morning line favorite. 0 – 11 last 2 years, however.

6 Pyriteville (Feliciano M. – Feliciano R.) - Steady as a rock at $12,500. This step up may be a bit too big. Front running speed horse.

7 Snow Down (Botty – Quinones) – Another that likes to get out in front. Second back after a layoff and dropping in from $25,000. May be a notch below.

8 Cats Zip (Ohilipian – Leyva) – Reeled off two well spaced wins at Calder vs better. Faltered badly after layoff last out, but against $50,000 claimers. Still registered a 66 Beyer. When she’s won, she’s been on the engine and she’ll have company there today.

9 Cherry On the Top (Cibelli – Lezcano) – Broke maiden here in a MSW then was routed on the turf in a Gulfstream allowance. Best Beyers on the grass. Picks up Lezcano. Another that likes to gun to the lead.

10 Extra Fuse (Lockhart – Lloyd) – A confirmed closer, she ran out of room last out at $16,000 and lessens by a furlong today. Still, with a bit of early speed in here six furlongs could be enough.

11 Sweet Apple Betty (Scace – Cotto) – Comes in riding a three race winning streak and will want to go wire to wire. Her wins have been against lesser, but she’s done it easily. This one will be tough for her.

12 Red Kettle (Cronk – Garcia) – Broke her maiden by 12 ½ in a low level maiden claimer in DE. Claimed from Pletcher, new barn ran her back in two allowances over her head.

The early pace is going to be quick and hopefully Tabby can stalk right behind that group. She likes to be near the front end, but if she can rate she should be in good position to pounce entering the lane. If that early speed drags her along too quickly, she could get overwhelmed in the stretch by some of the closers like Sticky Wicket or Extra Fuse. In the past we’ve seen tracks really pave the asphalt on big race days so it’ll be interesting to see how the TBD strip is playing over the first few races. I think the key, even over a speed favoring track, will be Tabby’s ability to relax and rate. One or two speed horses in the field and maybe one could carry it all the way, but with so many, it’s going to be necessary to let them burn each other a bit and pick up the pieces.

Good luck to all her partners and come home swiftly and safely!