By With a field of ten horses, the $400K Tampa Bay Derby at 1 1/6 mi. features a rematch of two contenders in the Sam F. Davis Stakes from a month ago. Flameaway, the son of Scat Daddy and a Mark Casse trained colt, is one. He defied expectations last time out by defeating heavy favorite, Catholic Boy, in a thrilling finish, showing the grit that his sire was known for. The other is son of Curlin, Vino Rosso, who surged at the end, only to come up a length and half short for third. Compared to Flameaway, who now has seven races under his belt, Pletcher trained, Vino Rosso, will be making only his 4th start, with this being the 2nd at the 1 1/16 mi. distance. Complicating the picture is the entree of World of Trouble, who contrary to his name has done nothing wrong in his first three starts, having two wins and one place finish. In his last effort, he romped by 13 lengths to win the $125K Pasco at Tampa, even at the shorter distance of 7f. In assessing the horses, the Handicap Wizard slightly favors World of Trouble, due to a slight speed edge, though Flameaway ranks highest in winning percentage. Their implied odds are essentially a toss-up at 3-1, followed by Vinno Rosso at 7-1. Post time for race 11 is 5:20 p.m. EST.
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