When he arrived at Tampa Bay Downs last fall, trainer Gregg Sacco thought his then-2-year-old colt Freedom Road might be a candidate for the $400,000 Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G3), the centerpiece of Saturday's Festival Day 43 card at Tampa Bay Downs.
And even though he has competed only once at the meet, winning a six-furlong allowance/optional claiming race on Jan. 21, Freedom Road has done nothing to change Sacco's opinion.
“He's come out of each of his workouts since then better and better, and as far as his fitness and energy levels go he is right on cue,” said Sacco, who trains the son of Malibu Moon out of Lovable Lady, by Not For Love, for partners Pinnacle Racing Team and Madaket Stables.
“The Tampa Bay Derby is a very prestigious race, and we'll be honored and privileged to be a part of it,” Sacco said. “I feel that if he displays the same strong kick he has sprinting, he will be competitive. He's got the home-court advantage and he'll be able to walk over from his own barn.
“It looks like there are going to be a lot of talented horses running, and a lot of unknowns. But you've got to take a swing in the batter's box to connect,” Sacco added. “If he runs to our expectations, it opens up a wide range of races for us, and if he doesn't, we know we have a talented sprinter.”
Now 2-for-5 from five starts, with a second and a third last October in the Laurel Futurity, Freedom Road is one of at least 10 3-year-olds expected for the 1 1/16-mile Tampa Bay Derby, a major “Road to the Kentucky Derby” prep race awarding 50 Run for the Roses qualifying points to the winner and 20, 15, 10 and 5 to the next four finishers.
The quest for Kentucky Derby points, combined with the fact that each of the likely starters will be facing the toughest tests of their young careers, guarantees the eyes of the Thoroughbred racing world will be trained on the Oldsmar oval late Saturday afternoon.
The Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby is one of five stakes races – four of them graded – worth a combined $1-million in purse money.
The post ‘He’s Got The Home Court Advantage’: Freedom Road To Take Crack At Stakes Breakthrough In Tampa Bay Derby appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
