Beautiful springlike weather and an enthusiastic crowd of 3,943, which included scores of college students taking part in the track’s “Party By the Paddock,” seemed to bring out the best in the horses and jockeys assembled for Saturday’s card, with four of the first six races decided by less than a length.
The theme of spine-tingling competition was established in the first race, when 6-year-old mare Woods Hole staged a determined rally to finish in a dead-heat with the favorite, 6-year-old mare After a Few, in the 7-furlong claiming contest.
Apprentice jockey Sara Hess rode Woods Hole and Jesus Castanon, winner of the 2011 Preakness on Shackleford, was aboard After a Few.
The third race produced another nail-biting finish, as Ms Kendrick B broke her maiden with a grind-it-out, neck victory from Gold Stamp. Daniel Centeno rode the winner for owners Winning Stables, Mr Pug, J.P.G. 2 and C. Gregge Dasher and trainer Gerald Bennett.
Centeno, the track’s six-time riding champion, returned to the winner’s circle after the fifth race on the turf on Timeout, a 4-year-old colt who competed in last year’s Grade I Pennsylvania Derby. Timeout beat McCullough by a neck, with Magical Marriage ¾-length back in third. Timeout is a homebred racing for his breeders, Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider, and trained by Bill Mott.
A race later, jockey Cipriano Gil displayed considerable “want-to” in getting 6-year-old Florida-bred gelding Admiral’s Wave to the wire ¾-length ahead of the favorite, Braggadocious, whose gray coat rendered him spectral-looking, even in the bright sunlight, as he charged belatedly along the rail.
At this point, an old-timer might have been wondering what kind of impression all this was making on the college visitors, who weren’t around for Secretariat, Ruffian, Affirmed vs. Alydar, Seattle Slew, Shoemaker, Pincay, Cordero – yeah, Angel Cordero, Jr., Cordero double today – Spectacular Bid, Lucien Laurin, Bill Mott (when he had Cigar), Steve Cauthen, Julie Krone, Jim McKay, John Henry, Chris Evert (the equine) and Charlsie Cantey.
Sigh. But certainly, there are many millions who value history, no matter the sport or endeavor. Why some folks don’t want it taught anymore is puzzling, until you figure out why.
Anyway, no reason to get misty-eyed over a sporting activity. It was just a real pleasure to see quality racing emerge on an average card thanks to the folks and the animals who put on the show.
“Hearts Reaching Out” Tournament upcoming. The 33rd annual “Hearts Reaching Out” Golf Tournament, which benefits the good works and benevolence of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America-Tampa Bay Downs Division, will be played Monday, March 3 at Lansbrook Golf Club in Palm Harbor.
The RTCA-Tampa Bay Downs Division provides for the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of the track’s backside workers.
The tournament begins with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. The cost of $110 a player includes golf, on-course contests, range balls, a boxed lunch, beverages and a goody bag.
Various sponsorship deals are available. The Triple Crown Golf Sponsorship, which costs $2,500, includes a foursome with golfer packages, a recognition sign at the tournament and the sponsor’s name on every hole sign. Individual hole sponsorships are $150 (four for $500), offering an individual or company name on a hole sign.
Additionally, donations can be mailed to RTCA/Tampa Bay Downs, Post Office Box 2211, Oldsmar, FL, 34677 (make checks out to Race Track Chaplaincy of America).
The chaplaincy also appreciates donations such as gift cards, restaurant certificates and golf items that can be used for prizes at the tournament.
The “Hearts Reaching Out” Tournament kicks off the track’s Festival week, which is highlighted on Saturday, March 8 with a racing card featuring five stakes races, including the Grade III, $400,000 Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby – a “Road to the Kentucky Derby” points race – and the Grade II, $225,000 Hillsborough Stakes on the turf.
Individuals and/or foursomes can reserve their places in the tournament by visiting rtcatbd.square.site on the Internet. For more details, call Chaplain Alex DeLima at (727) 242-2552 or Dr. Bill Owens at (813) 240-1340.
“Mouse’s Kids & Family Days” return to the Backyard Picnic Area on Sunday, and families are invited to experience the excitement of Thoroughbred racing firsthand. Pony rides, bounce houses, games and special activities will be offered, as well as a food truck. Visitors may also get a chance to meet the track mascot, Mouse the Miniature Horse.
Around the oval. Pablo Morales joined Daniel Centeno in riding two winners today. Morales won the second race on Troops, a 3-year-old Florida-bred gelding owned by Equine Authority, Inc., and trained by John Vinson. Morales added the ninth race on the turf, the Lambholm South Race of the Week, aboard Card Trick, a 4-year-old colt owned by C J T Stables and trained by William Downing.
Thoroughbred racing continues Sunday with a nine-race card beginning at 12:28 p.m. The Ultimate 6 carryover pool is now at $56,194. Sunday’s ultimate 6 begins with the fourth race.
Tampa Bay Downs races each Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and is open every day for simulcast wagering, no-limits action and tournament play in The Silks Poker Room and golf fun and instruction at The Downs Golf Practice Facility.
