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Pick Pony takes pride in providing the most accurate expert picks available today. Pick Pony Expert Picks are carefully selected by our team of analysts based on analytics from our advanced Past Performance Sheets and Racing Forms. For potential longshot selections, check out Pick Pony’s AI Picks.
Race 1: Maiden Claiming | 7 Furlongs | Dirt | $18,500 Purse
Win: #2 Fly Commander (67% confidence)🥈
Place: #7 Nyikos (50% confidence)🥉
Show: #5 Devilment (50% confidence)
Alternative: #4 Kuku (67% confidence)
Notes: Fly Commander has placed in tougher company and looks well-positioned dropping in class. Tactical speed should give this one the early advantage. Devilment and Kuku are live dangers with competitive recent form. Expect a fast and competitive finish with the top four selections all having legitimate chances.
Race 2: Maiden Claiming | 6 Furlongs | Dirt | $21,500 Purse
Win: #6 Khozanall (67% confidence)
Place: #7 Norma’s Irish Lass (75% confidence)Show: #3 Lucky White (50% confidence)Alternative: #4 Lucky Flay (67% confidence)
Notes: Pick Pony analysts view this as a dominant top pick situation. Khozanall has shown promise with two placed efforts and shapes as the clear one to beat at short odds. Lucky White stands out amongst longshots with a recent winning effort that could result in an upset if the favorite falters.
Race 3: Claiming | 6 Furlongs | Dirt | $22,300 Purse WIN ($7.60)
Win: #8 Soundtrack (67% confidence)🥇
Place: #2 Adios Tipsy (50% confidence)Show: #4 Park Avenue Betty (50% confidence)Alternative: #1 Gold Stamp (100% confidence)🥈
Notes: Soundtrack receives strong support and should stay on to be tough from the front. Mi Bella Genio has the best recent form and could challenge early. Park Avenue Betty is a consistent performer. Gold Stamp is universally selected as a live alternative, expected to stay on strongly in the closing stages.
Race 4: Claiming | 6 Furlongs | Dirt | $19,000 Purse WIN
Win: #3 Dundie (43% confidence)🥇Place: #2 Rolling On (50% confidence)Show: #1 Elusive D’oro (50% confidence)🥉
Alternative: #8 Off To The Races (67% confidence)
Notes: Pick Pony analysts are split between Dundie and Rolling On for the win. Dundie has strong form and is the morning line favorite at 2-1, while Rolling On has class and recent performances to assert late. Float On offers value as a live alternative; the trainer’s runners from Pennsylvania have started firing at Tampa with early success this meet. Off To The Races is a longshot with a knack for running into the frame.
Race 5: Maiden Claiming | 1 1/16 Miles | Turf | $21,500 Purse WIN ($6.40)
Win: #10 Reteko (67% confidence)🥇
Place: #4 Alrasikh (75% confidence)
Show: #6 Flag Officer (75% confidence)
Alternative: #3 Silver Ore (67% confidence)🥉
Notes: Reteko looks the one to beat after a close second last time out in higher grade company. Alrasikh has been knocking on the door and rates highly. Flag Officer showed promise when third recently. Despite a large field of 13 runners, the focus remains on horses with the best current form, though a well-timed ride could see a surprise challenger.
Race 6: Allowance Optional Claiming | 7 Furlongs | Dirt | $56,500 Purse WIN ($5.60)
Win: #2 Poiema (38% confidence)🥇
Place: #4 Just Like You (75% confidence)
Show: #5 Dancing Magic (50% confidence)🥉
Alternative: #7 Twin Empire (67% confidence)
Notes: The featured race presents a competitive field. Pick Pony analysts are divided between Poiema, U Lite Up My Life, and Gallop D’Hermes. Poiema returns off a layoff as the morning line favorite with strong form at this level and distance. U Lite Up My Life is on the upgrade and looks a serious rival. Gallop D’Hermes adds first-time blinkers and could factor. This sets up as a contentious affair with multiple win contenders.
Race 7: Maiden Special Weight | 1 1/16 Miles | Turf | $55,000 Purse WIN + EXACTA
Win: #8 Portfolio Duration (57% confidence)🥇
Place: #7 Pop Art (75% confidence)🥈
Show: #4 Spinning Class (75% confidence)
Alternative: #3 Poverty With Aview (100% confidence)
Notes: Portfolio Duration narrowly missed on debut and looks set to go one better. Trained by Chad Brown and at even-money, this filly should be tough to beat. Pop Art will push the pace up front. Spinning Class has placed in tougher company and rates highly as a challenger. Poverty With Aview is universally chosen as a live longshot with value potential if the front-runners falter.
Race 8: Claiming | 1 Mile 40 Yards | Dirt | $25,000 Purse
Win: #9 The Best Distance (62% confidence)
Place: #3 Lace Up (100% confidence)
Show: #4 Al Ameeq (50% confidence)
Alternative: #7 Jades Jay (100% confidence)🥈
Notes: The Best Distance won impressively over course and distance last time and looks well-placed to follow up. Lace Up is universally selected for place, having won convincingly in its last start. Jades Jay offers value; the trainer is keeping a hot start to the Tampa meet going with multiple winners and looks to continue success with this course winner making its first appearance since moving to this high-percentage barn.
Race 9: Claiming | 6 Furlongs | Dirt | $19,000 Purse
Win: #2 Love Hate (33% confidence)🥈
Place: #11 My Pal Max (50% confidence)
Show: #12 Bobby Bob (50% confidence)
Alternative: #4 Sir Thomas Teal (100% confidence)
Notes: Pick Pony analysts show significant disagreement in this race with multiple horses receiving win votes. Love Hate has strong form over course and distance, making this one the slight consensus pick. My Pal Max is expected to settle behind early and launch late. Prinsipito offers longshot appeal for those seeking a bomber. Sir Thomas Teal is unanimously selected as a live alternative.
Recommended Exotic Bets and Value Plays
Pick Pony Analyst Wagering Recommendations
Best Bets of the Day
Race 2 – Khozanall (#6): Near-unanimous support makes this the most confident play on the card. Consider as a single in multi-race wagers.
Race 8 – The Best Distance (#9): Strong consensus pick with recent course-and-distance victory. Reliable anchor for exactas and trifectas.
Exacta Plays
Race 5: 10-4 Exacta (Reteko over Alrasikh) – Strong consensus on top two finishers with 75% place confidence on Alrasikh.
Race 7: 8-7 Exacta (Portfolio Duration over Pop Art) – Both receive overwhelming support in their respective positions.
Race 8: 9-3 Exacta (The Best Distance over Lace Up) – 100% consensus on Lace Up for place position makes this a high-confidence play.
Trifecta Plays
Race 5: 10-4-6 Trifecta – All three top consensus picks receive 67%+ confidence.
Race 7: 8-7-4 Trifecta – Strong alignment among analysts with Portfolio Duration, Pop Art, and Spinning Class.
Race 8: 9-3-4/7 Trifecta (key 9 over 3, with 4 and 7 in third) – The Best Distance and Lace Up are locked in; Al Ameeq and Jades Jay split support for show.
Value Plays
Race 4 – Float On (#5) at 5-1: One analyst highlights the trainer’s hot start at Tampa with Pennsylvania shippers firing early. Worth a win-place bet.
Race 8 – Jades Jay (#7) at 6-1: Trainer is off to a strong meet start with multiple winners. First appearance since barn change with high-percentage jockey.
Race 9 – Prinsipito (#9) at 15-1: Receives two win selections despite longshot odds. Use underneath in trifectas and superfectas.
Daily Double Suggestions
Races 1-2: Key Fly Commander over Khozanall for a solid early double.
Races 7-8: Portfolio Duration to The Best Distance offers strong consensus backing.
Pick 3/Pick 4 Strategy
Races 7-8-9: Use Portfolio Duration as single in Race 7, The Best Distance as single in Race 8, and spread in Race 9 with Love Hate, My Pal Max, Prinsipito, and Bobby Bob.
