Wednesday's Best Bet: Jeanie B set to strike in Lightning City

Wednesday’s 9th race from Tampa Bay Downs is the $100,000 Lightning City Stakes for fillies and mares dashing five furlongs on the turf course (Post Time 4:21 p.m. ET).

#9 JEANIE B (9-1) was entered in the Mardi Gras Stakes at Fair Grounds Feb. 16, but scratched when that race was moved to the main track. She set the pace from the inside post and ended up finishing 3rd when last seen in the Krantz Memorial Jan. 16. She turns back in distance for Mark Casse, and she was a competent turf sprinter in Great Britain. She graduated at this distance on turf and Antonio Gallardo has been winning races with this barn at Tampa Bay. She should get pace to chase. 

#2 Royal Collection (5-1) is a neck shy of four straight wins for Arnaud Delacour. She shipped to Tampa Bay and rallied to win by a neck at this course/distance as the even money favorite Dec. 4. The fresh, improving filly should sit a decent ground saving stalking trip. 

#5 Payntdembluesaway (8-1) is a win machine in turf sprints and I like her early-pressing versatility. This is her toughest test to date but she just shows up and tries hard every single time. 

#7 Miss Auramet (4-1) is a Gulfstream shipper with early-pressing speed. She exits a runner-up finish in a stakes race originally scheduled for turf, and she owns four turf wins at this distance. 

#12 Ode to Joy (8-1) had an uncomfortable trip in a local turf sprint Jan. 15. She packs a decent late kick and might be able to spice up the exotics if she is able to work out a trip from a wide post. 

Wagers: 

#9 to win

Exacta Box 2-9

Trifecta 2-9/2-5-7-9-12/2-5-7-9-12

Recent Best Bet Winners

Feb. 2 - PADDOCK PICK ($4.80), Trifecta ($149.40)
Feb. 5 - Earls Rock/Beer Can Man Exacta ($23.40)
Feb. 6 - HIT THE ROAD ($8.20), Exacta ($24.60), Trifecta ($111.00)
Feb. 9 - BIG BARREL ($4.60), Quinella ($16.00)
Feb. 10 - QUEEN OF THE GREEN ($10.60), Exacta ($51.00)
Feb. 16 - ELLE Z ($6.60), Exacta ($13.80)
Feb. 19 - I'm Leaving You/Hoop Dream Exacta ($21.00)
Feb. 21 - SHE'SA PERFECTLADY ($5.80)
Feb. 23 - Flying to the Line/Gold Included/Bonnet Trifecta ($112.00)

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