US racing tips: Tom Collins believes an old favourite is a dream bet at Tampa

Large
5.55 Tampa Bay Downs
1pt win

Jackies Dream
8.25 Tampa Bay Downs
2pts win

I'm looking forward to Tampa Bay Downs hosting the feature meeting on Monday – the first lead fixture at the track since Santa Anita and Belmont Park returned – and hopefully we can cash in on a couple of good bets on the eight-race card.

The first selection is the aptly named Large, a scopey gelding who runs for owner-trainer Joyce Kielty in the $14,000 claimer (5.55) for older horses who haven't won two or more races.

One of the most unexposed runners in the six-strong field, Large has never finished outside the first four and has posted improved speed figures for every outing.

He was sent off a well-supported favourite on his penultimate start in maiden claiming company but it looked to be game over after a couple of furlongs as he broke slowly and raced very keenly.

However, Large quickened up smartly once he was allowed his head rounding the bend and eventually galloped away to win in decisive fashion.

He couldn't back up that success in a similar contest to this three weeks ago, but ran well to finish second behind a runaway winner called Federale, who had previously competed against some much better opponents.

This looks an easier target for Large, who may have the luxury of an uncontested lead from his inside draw in gate one.

The other tip on the card is Jackies Dream, who I have put up on more than one occasion in the last couple of months but remains a filly on the up and has cast-iron claims in the $10,300 claimer (8.25).

Mike Dini's three-year-old is never far away at the finish but needs things to fall right for her to come out on top. She is a deep closer over this 1m½f trip and is seen to best effect when she has a good pace to chase.

That should be the case in this contest and from her inside draw Jackies Dream is likely to get a perfect run through against the fence under Tomas Mejia.

She was impressive when scoring by five lengths in a similar race last time out and she will take plenty of holding if she is in striking distance with a furlong to run.

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