Wednesday wagers: Gonna Be Epic has awesome value in Tampa

It’s the last Wednesday card at Tampa Bay Downs before Christmas, and I hope these picks are an early gift and not a lump of coal.

Best bet: Astronaut Oscar, race 1

Best value bet: Gonna Be Epic, race 9

Race 1

No. 2 Astronaut Oscar (even, morning-line favorite) earned speed figures at Canterbury last summer and at Tampa the winter before that stamp him as the obvious horse to beat in this spot. The return works are encouraging. No. 1 War Cross (4-1) benefitted from the cutback and drop to this level when last seen, checking in second. A similar outcome is likely today. No. 5 Tap Em (7-2) has missed the board in each of his three prior fast dirt starts, but he’s never been this low and potent connections team up in Samy Camacho (31 percent) and Gregory Sacco (19 percent).

How I’d bet it (based on a $100 budget): $15 exacta 2/1, $5 exacta 2/5

Race 3

No. 4 Shall Return (5-2, morning-line favorite) has a pair of thirds in her last two tries vs. tougher at Gulfstream, and a repeat of either of those two efforts could put her in the winner’s circle. No. 5 Island Magic (7-2) was beaten just a half-length by the top choice on Aug. 27 despite an unprepared start and four-wide journey, consider. No. 6 Csilla (3-1) is unraced since May and ran behind Shall Return in two straight before hitting the sidelines. But recent workouts are encouraging, and there’s a class drop to take into account.

How I’d bet it: $7 exacta 4/5,6, $4 exacta 5/4, $2 exacta 5/6

Race 5

No. 11 Perfect Moon (4-1) didn’t get the greatest draw, but the cutback should be just what the doctor ordered for this son of Ransom the Moon. Getting Carol Cedeno (14 percent) in the irons doesn’t hurt either. No. 3 Hollywood Closeup (5-2, morning-line favorite) is logical based off his first two in-the-money efforts on dirt. No. 4 Ray’s Gone Astray (9-2) was caught and passed by the second-choice when last seen – can last for a share here.

How I’d bet it: $8 exacta box 3/11, $2 exacta 3,11/4

Race 7

No. 1 Athena’s Wisdom (5-2, morning-line favorite) was in fantastic form at Monmouth over the summer, at least on dirt, and drops in class off two lackluster efforts. Considering those recent races were at Delaware and over synthetic at Gulfstream, I would say this daughter of Ride of Curlin is ready for a bounce-back effort under Camacho. No. 2 Sassy Charlee (3-1) likely will try to make every pole a winning one, like she did going longer over this course vs. slightly weaker last time out. Getting in light under Laureano Sosa (12 percent) helps. No. 6 Del Rey Dolly (15-1) should not be this long based on her most recent race – can close for a piece.

How I’d bet it: $7 exacta box 1/2, $3 exacta 1,2/6

Race 9

No. 11 Gonna Be Epic (9-2) boasted good form on dirt at Monmouth prior to that recent synthetic flop at Gulfstream – very appealing at this price under apprentice Gabriel Maldonado. No. 10 Summer All Year (4-1) makes plenty of sense off a win at this level on Opening Day. No. 2 Black Limo (8-1) is a decent 5: 1-1-1 over this course – best of the rest.

How I’d bet it: $12 win 11, $4 exacta box 10/11

Robert Criscola is a free-lance handicapper based in New York.