img HORSE

TAMPA BAY DOWNS Race #11 (THE TAMPA BAY DERBY (G2))

March 10, 2012
img5:30 PM Eastern
Premium Pick

Top pick: #10 (TAKE CHARGE INDY) - Son of "A.P. Indy" showed a lot of promise last year and began his 3-year-old season by finishing a close-up second at Gulfstream in late January to Kentucky Derby prospect "El Padrino". Working very fast at Palm Meadows for this and trainer Pat Byrne looks to have him as sharp as can be for this stakes.

2nd pick: #1 (Prospective) - Talented colt has only run one poor race and that came last year in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) when he was forced very wide and "folded up" to finish far back of "Indy". He won the 7 furlong Pasco S. here in his seasonal debut on Jan. 14, then rallied to finish second to today's rival "Battle Hardened" in the (G3) Sam Davis S. on Feb. 4. Working fine for trainer Mark Casse and he'll add blinkers for this.

3rd pick: #7 (Battle Hardened) - As mentioned above he won the Sam B. Davis S.(G3) here and that was also his maiden win. Son of "Giant's Causeway" has a flexible running style and has improved in every start since debuting at Churchill in late October.

4th pick: #9 (Spring Hill Farm) - Undefeated (2-for-2) son of "Smart Strike" is in the loaded barn of Todd Pletcher and has gone wire-to-wire in both of his wins. Working well at Palm Meadows for this and he must be left in the mix.

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