Stogie's Horse Racing Best Bets for Saturday, Feb 8, 2025

Tampa Bay Downs Race 5 Pelican Stakes

2 Nutella Fella came back off a 5-month layoff to run second beaten by a weaker group than this Colt faces today. I don’t believe we saw what this son of Runhappy can do in that race. After the long layoff, that race was more like a glorified work out. Colt is a Grade 1 winner who now makes his second start off the layoff and sports 2 bullets coming in. Top Pick
4 Carmel Chip is a Gulfstream Shipper who knows how to win. 7-year-old is a 11-time winner in 41 career starts. He finished 4th by just 2 lengths in last year’s version of this race versus some salty runners. Gulfstream’s leading Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr is in the irons today. Win Contender
5 Pure Class has been either first or second in 8 of 11 starts with 4 trips to the winners circle. Gelding has faced mostly Florida Bred’s and this will be a tall task versus open company today. He’s training well, but will have to improve in the speed department to get the W this afternoon. Use Underneath

6 Dazzling Blue has run well her last 4 races but has come up short as the beaten favorite in all those races. This Mare returned from a 6-month break to run second beaten by a head at Gulfstream Park. She now gets first time blinkers, runs second off the layoff and gets Flavien Prat, who won 4 of 5 races in his debut here at Tampa, aboard. Win Contender
4 Nic’s Style is your likely winner here, but he’ll be slammed at the windows, offering little value. He’s won 5 of 6 races, most in dominating fashion with only loss coming in a Grade 2 in the slop at the Big A. He recently crushed a group of Florida Bred’s in a local Stakes here at Tampa. Win Contender
8 Miuccia has run some big numbers in the past, including a near triple digit speed figure when finishing third by just a length in the Grade 3 Prioress at the Spa. If this Filly can find that form, she’ll be a player here. Don’t Ignore

2 Dancing Magic exits from a 2-length victory in the Gasparilla Stakes contested at seven furlongs over this main track here at Tampa. This daughter of Good Magic routes for the first time today and appears she just might relish the stretch out. I’m anticipating a hot pace early which should set up nicely for this gals closing kick. Live Longshot
4 Her Laugh is unbeaten in two lifetime starts. Filly was last seen going gate-to-wire in the Untapable Stakes at the Fair Grounds. Filly doesn’t need the lead to win , as demonstrated in her debut Maiden win. Win Contender
3 Italian Soiree has been facing much tougher. Filly goes turf to dirt for a Trainer who hits at 30% off that angle. My only concern is the 4-month layoff. Major Player
8 Cloe must be considered after her smashing debut win on the Tapeta surface at Gulfstream. Filly won by nearly 5-lengths that day with plenty left in the tank. Don’t Ignore

2 Treaty of Rome checks all the boxes for me in this Stakes race. I’m a huge fan of lightly raced Uncle Mo Siblings moving up in class and stretching out in distance. Uncle Mo youngsters tend to move forward rapidly. He sports some of the best late pace numbers of his rivals today and should get an honest pace upfront. He’s a sweet 6-1 on the morning line and is worth a single play in the Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5. Best Bet of the Day
7 Poster is another who is moving in the right direction. His versatility is shown by his 3 wins at 3 different tracks and surfaces. He held on by a nostril last out in the Grade 2 Remsen at a mile and an eighth. Colt should relish the cut back today. Hard to pass on this undefeated son of Munnings. Win Contender
6 Owen Almighty crossed the finishing line first in the Pasco Stakes but was placed 5th due to interference in the stretch. Colt hasn’t run a bad in 4 Career starts but I’m skeptical that this one can handle the added ground today. Beatable Favorite