This week starts the first of many important Kentucky Derby prep races with points earned on a sliding scale for those finishing first to fifth place. The field is set for the important Tampa Bay Derby, so let’s delve into it to see who earns the points (50-25-15-10-5) and what will turn out to be our best play at top-rated online sportsbooks.
This is the 44th Tampa Bay Derby. Over the years, it has grown in status to the point it is among the Kentucky Derby prep races where you have to factor the winner into any conversation going forward when we hit the first Saturday in May.
- Top Pick: Win – #5 Domestic Product
Tampa Bay Derby 2024 (G3)
Saturday, March 09, 2024 – Post Time 05:18 PM ET at Tampa Bay Downs
- Race: 11
- Grade: 3
- Distance: 1 1/16miles
- Conditions: Dirt
- Purse: $400,000
Here is the complete field for the Tampa Bay Derby, including their post position, jockey, trainer and their respective moneyline betting odds at partner shops such as BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review).
Contenders
The top two favorites are No More Time (7/5) and Domestic Product (8/5). No More Time has 20 Derby points after his front-running win as a 3-1 favorite in the Sam. F. Davis at this same track on February 10.
Trainer Jose Francisco D’Angelo is bringing him back with just four weeks between races but has stated he believes in his horse. “He’s more focused, he knows he’s going to run, that matters,” said D’Angelo. Though not unheard of, D’Angelo switched riders from Paco Lopez to veteran Javier Castellano.
Domestic Product is currently not considered the best horse in trainer Chad Brown’s roster. Nevertheless, Brown feels this is Domestic Product's shot to qualify for the Kentucky Derby. After a seventh-place finish in the Remsen Stakes last December, Domestic Product was a solid second to Hades in the Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park on February 23. Brown feels a big effort is possible and Domestic Product’s training has been superb.
Longer Shots That Could Surprise and Pay Out
Sturdy (8-1) is on the far outside in this race at the #10 spot. Still, with 1 1/16 miles, jockey Junior Alvarado should have plenty of time to place his horse into a comfortable running slot. Sturdy enters off a hot speed rating of 83, which is second to only Domestic Product’s 87 in this race. Sturdy is winless in three starts, yet finished second to Domestic Product last October, which could bode well Saturday.
Feelings vary on Heartened (10-1) with some veteran horseplayers thinking he could finish third, but others thinking he’s a Pass. One aspect everyone agrees on: Heartened will have to improve to hit the board.
Next in line is Grand Mo the First (12-1), who is the son of Uncle Mo, who was a quality performer. Grand Mo the First’s speed number suggests a steady performer (72-72-79), though not one that might step up.
Crazy Mason (12-1) seems like a lesser version of Grand Mo the First with these speed numbers (62-71-71). Trainer Gregg Sacco is putting blinkers back on Crazy Mason, which he wore at Saratoga last July but has not worn in his last four starts, all non-winners.
Tampa Bay Derby 2024 Bets
- Win – #5 Domestic Product
- Place - #7 No More Time
- Show - #1 Heartened
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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