It’s been a weird few weeks in the world, and as a handicapper it’s also an odd time amid the indictments of Servis and Navarro, and the spate of track closures.  We don’t know day to day who is running tomorrow, so it’s been tough to get in a handicapping rhythm.  I’ll post later with some plays on the Florida Derby card at Gulfstream Park, but with a mandatory pick 6 payout Saturday, I wouldn’t hold my breath that they will be running on Sunday.

Meanwhile, I was in Florida for a few days business when the world started to shut down.  My schedule got jumbled up, and with a free day on Friday, I finally had the chance to get over to Tampa Bay Downs the Friday before they closed to patrons.

Gotta say, I loved it.  What a nice facility.  From the people at the front door, to the program seller, to the waitress and the ticket takers, everyone was more than nice, very friendly folks.  While I’m sure the impending shut down may have played into it, it was a refreshing atmosphere compared to the grim folks you find some other places.     It seems a perfect facility size for day to day racing, and while I don’t know how recently the interior has been renovated, its centainly clean and modern.

I have loved playing the turf course there on the simulcast for years.  With an interesting mix of pedigrees and some low priced races on the turf, I think you can find some value plays with turf and hidden turf pedigrees.

So Tampa Bay Downs, loved it, and I’ll be back.   Will effort a Tampa Bay Derby weekend with some friends in the future.

Meanwhile, I’ve taken to watching what’s left on TVG, Fairgrounds until it closed.  Made bets at Will Rogers Downs and Fonner Park yesterday.  Couldn’t find them on a map.   Working from home with a lot of TVG in the background.

Going to dig in on the Gulfstream Card for tomorrow.  In this time of uncertainty, I’m going to give a little extra attention to these races.  Kurt Hoover on TVG has often said that these million-dollar races are goals in themselves – that’s never been more true than this year, where the Arkansas Derby may be the premier race of the spring !

A final thought.  I have long advocated for, and enjoyed playing Kentucky Derby Future wagers.  It’s a fun way to track the horses through the road to the derby, and a chance to create some wagering leverage for yourself on Derby day.   However, I think Churchill Downs is COMPLETELY missing the mark by not refunding those wagers in light of the event moving to September.  Literally the terms of the bet were for the race on the first Saturday in May.  It would show good faith for the bets to be refunded, and if they simply offered new pools for the September race, as bettors we would likely roll over most of the money bet into the new pools.    Now I’m not sure how much handle I will direct Churchill’s way, and I’ll be dashing off a letter to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission later today.