The Ocala Sophomore – NG
3/29/20
TAM Race 5 7F – Dirt
Purse $110.000
Three Year Olds

A pretty decent sized field of eight has been entered up for this years edition of the Ocala Sophomore over the Tampa Bay track here. It is part of a stakes packed card and this is one of the best races on the card. Let’s take as look at the field.

1. Heretowinthisfight (5-1-0-1 $36.460), trained by Night Mare Racing

First runner in the field here and he is coming into this race off of some Triple Crown prep races where he did have a fourth in the Holy Bull. His only win was sprinting and he seems to like to go near the front in most of his races so I think the cutback will help him out. The drop in class should help a lot also.

2. Grand Concerto (6-1-2-0 $45.300), trained by John Henry

Next up right here and this horse is one who has been strictly a sprinter in his career thus far but he only has a maiden win to his name. He was a close sixth in the Hutcheson last time but he definitely will need to improve to have any shot here.

3. Mad Fear (7-3-2-0 $58.620), trained by Aer Stables

An awfully aggressive spot to enter for a horse who’s only wins have been in the claiming ranks but Aer Stables must see something more in this horse. He claimed him in his last start. He needs to improve quite a bit but if it is muddy he could have a real upset chance to win.

4. Spoken Word (4-2-0-0 $15.780), trained by Night Rider Stables

Another one coming out of the claiming ranks and Night Rider Stables claimed this horse in his last start which was a win but this is a huge step up in class. He is definitely going to have to improve a lot to have a shot in here.

5. Sand Hills (5-3-0-0 $63.600), trained by High Voltage

Next up here is another one that is coming out of a Triple prep race where he ran fifth in the El Camino at Golden Gate. He was on a three race win streak prior to that but they were claimers and a first level allowance. He has a shot but I’m not sold on him.

6. Theres No Tomorrow (1-1-0-0 $30.000), trained by Choppy Inc.

An ultra impressive winner in his debut when he won a maiden special weight at Gulfstream going gate to wire. Winning first out is very hard to do especially at high level track like that. He could be something special if that was not a fluke win.

7. Red Headed Spirit (8-3-2-0 $58.880), trained by TwinTowers Racing

Now to this horse here who is coming into this race off of a two race win streak which were a first level allowance and an optional claimer. He won both of those very easily and if he can keep it going in here he should be very tough I think.

8. Brave Diplomat (9-3-1-3 $53.680), trained by Nakamura Stables

Last but not least in the field here is the New York bred and he was third in the Runyon at Aqueduct in his last start. He ran well that day and if he could run that same type of race he could be there when it’s all said and done.

Summary

Definitely no standout in the field to me but there is some interesting horses in here for sure. I’m going to go with the undefeated horse as my top selection in Theres No Tomorrow. Good luck to all in the field.

6-8-1-7

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES