2015 Tampa Bay Derby | OFF TRACK BETTING

Las Vegas, NV – The Tampa Bay Derby goes down at Tampa Bay Downs this Saturday, March 7. Some of the best three year olds around will be after the winner’s share of the $350,000 purse and the 50 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby when they race 1 1/16 miles on Tampa Bay Downs’ main track.

Nine three year old Derby hopefuls will take part in the Tampa Bay Derby – race 11 on Tampa Bay Downs busy Saturday card. Post time is 5:23 PM. Let’s take a look at the past performances of all nine entries for this Grade 2 stakes and what could play out in this Kentucky Derby points qualifying stakes.

Carpe Diem – Todd Pletcher trained colt will race for the fourth time – the first being a 2 1/2 length wire-to-wire maiden score at Saratoga September 1 and the second being a terrific 6 1/4 length win in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland October 4 with a field best 100 Beyer Speed Figure in that race. Last time out he continued his impressive career – a second place finish behind Texas Red as 9-5 favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Legendary jockey John Velazquez will be in charge of Carpe Diem as he continues his surge up the Road to the Kentucky Derby points standings – from post 3 Saturday. He posted three bullet works in his preparation for this important race

Ocean Knight – will race for just the third time for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. His last start was a good one – a nice win as 8-5 favorite in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes on this track January 31. His only other start was a 4 1/2 length maiden score as favorite at Aqueduct December 13. He has looked great in limited action and is expected to be competitive again this weekend. Irad Ortiz will ride of this emerging colt as he looks for his first qualifying points toward the Derby – from post 2 Saturday.

Souper Colossal – multiple stakes winning Edward Plesa trained colt has four wins in five career starts – the only blemish was a seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Before that race was a nice win in the minor Sapling Stakes which followed a win in the minor Tyro Stakes and a maiden score in June – all three results at Monmouth Park. He bounced back last time out with an easy 1 1/2 length win in the minor Texas Glitter Stakes at Gulfstream February 7. Joel Rosario gets the call looking for Souper Colossal’s first graded stakes win from post 6 Saturday.

Divining Rod – races for the fourth time for trainer Arnaud Delacour and is coming off a good second behind Ocean Knight in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes here January 31, a third in an Allowance Optional Claiming here December 26 and after breaking maiden at first asking – at Laurel Park November 21. The improving colt will have Luis Garcia in the saddle from the rail.

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My Johnny Be Good – Eoin Harty trainee has placed in all five career starts – two wins, a second and two third place finishes. He made his stakes debut last time out and finished third behind Ocean Knight and Divining Rod in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes after an Allowance Optional Claiming score here December 28, a second in an Allowance at Keeneland in October and a maiden score in his second career start – at Arlington in September. Antonio Gallardo has been tabbed to ride from post 5.

Ami’s Flatter – will hit the track for the fifth time for trainer Josie Carroll having recorded a win and a second so far. Last time out was a close fourth in the competitive Sam F. Davis Stakes here after a good second in his stakes debut – behind Bluegrass Singer in the minor Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream Park January 3 and after breaking maiden at first asking at Woodbine in November. Luis Contreras will be in charge from gate 4 as Ami’s Flatter adds blinkers and lasix for the first time.

Danzig Moon – broke maiden last time out in impressive fashion in his third career start for trainer Mark Casse – at Gulfstream Park February 7 after a second and a fourth respectively in a pair of MSW races. He steps into stakes company for the first time Saturday – from the outside post with Julien Leparoux aboard.

Great Stuff – Ian Wilkes trained colt has three MSW starts in his career and has placed in all. He looks for his first win Saturday off a second place finish February 7, a third January 24 and a third place finish at first asking. He makes a huge step up in competition Saturday in decent form – from post 7 with Leandro Goncalves in the irons.

Moonlit Bandit – broke maiden October 26 in his second career start and went on to an eleventh in his only stakes appearance – the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct November 29. Last time out was a third in an Allowance Optional Claiming at Gulfstream February 8. He looks a tad over his head in this one as he leaves from gate 8 with Jose Lezcano in the reins.

Race 11 on Tampa Bay Downs’s Saturday card with a Post Time of 5:23 PM.