Wednesday wagers: Ask for Bode commands attention at Tampa

Nine races will take place at Tampa Bay Downs on a warm Wednesday afternoon. Let’s dive into the action as I highlight my top five races for the day.

Best bet: Ask for Bode (race 4)

Best value bet: Live Is Life (race 7)

Race 3

No. 2 Zonal (2-1, morning-line favorite) faded to third when competing on dirt here on Nov. 23, but was a narrowly beaten second on the Gulfstream synthetic, which plays more like turf, at this class level on Sept. 17. Look for him to wire these grass runners under Jesus Castanon. No. 3 Khozy Boy (3-1) goes for sharp trainer Jorge Delgado (11: 4-2-2 record at the meet) off a respectable fourth behind the top choice in just his second lifetime outing on Sept. 17 – logical alternative. No. 4 Easton E (6-1) and No. 1 The Swayze Express (9-2) each had a terrible break here on Nov. 23 – either or both could improve while switching to the lawn in this spot.

How I’d bet it (based on a $100 budget): $4 trifecta 2/3/1,4, $2 trifecta 2/1,4/1,3,4, $1 trifecta 3/2/1,4, $2 win 4

Race 4

No. 4 Ask for Bode (7-5, morning-line favorite) hit the board in three straight races against tougher at Gulfstream, albeit on synthetic. But this son of Bodemeister has won on conventional dirt before, and the recent speed figures are too strong to overlook. No. 3 Paladio (3-1) was third in a well-rated effort against similar foes in his Tampa debut on Nov. 23, respect.

No. 6 Hot and Heavy (7-2) was beaten 4 3/4 lengths by Paladio in that aforementioned heat, but scaling back to 5 1/2 furlongs on Wednesday could move this Tony Wilson trainee up.

How I’d bet it: $10 exacta 4/3,6

Race 7

No. 2 Live Is Life (4-1) looks like the fastest runner in the field and goes for the red-hot Delgado. If he takes to the turf, he should beat this group, and the morning-line price is just generous enough. No. 8 Candidate (3-1) lures Daniel Centeno off a solid gate-to-wire score at Laurel – consider. No. 3 Dataman (5-2, morning-line favorite) was a winner in his most recent try on firm turf and goes as a first-time gelding for Graham Motion in this spot.

How I’d bet it: $2 exacta box 2/3/8, $3 exacta 2/3,8, $1 exacta 8/2,3

Race 8

No. 7 Style (5-2) can spring a mild upset if he runs to his two-back speed figure at Delaware, earned when off slow and rallying wide against slighter stronger competition. His last should be ignored, as it was in the slop going a route of ground, once again with a wide journey. No. 8 I’m a Cutie (9-5, morning-line favorite) crushed a weak group of maidens over this course when last seen on Nov. 26 – don’t settle for a short price on a runner that must “prove it” against winners. No. 5 Candy Arcade (5-2) likewise steps up off a maiden score, albeit against slightly classier rivals. Delgado trains, but this one seems too light on speed figures to factor for the win.

How I’d bet it: $10 exacta 7/8, $4 exacta 7/5, $4 exacta 8/7, $2 exacta 8/5

Race 9

No. 5 Roundabout (3-1, morning-line favorite) raced against tougher on the New York circuit this summer, landing a third in three starts before splitting the field with a troubled trip at Monmouth in September. Samy Camacho (34: 8-5-4 at Tampa) sees fit to climb aboard for the John Terranova trainee’s softest spot to date. No. 2 Don Diva (7-2) gets a rider upgrade to Jose Batista (18: 4-1-2 at the meet) as he tries this class level and distance again after a fourth-place result. With a lack of speed on paper, Don Diva could easily wire them. No. 6 Syllabus (10-1) is hard to take on top at 0-for-27 lifetime but has hit the board in four of 12 starts this year, including a third at Tampa against like competition on April 27.

How I’d bet it: $8 exacta 5/2,6, $4 exacta 2/5