After Strategic Bird won her career debut on Nov. 13 at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., by 12 ¾ lengths, it was fair to ask how she might handle a challenge in today's $100,000-guaranteed Sandpiper Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa, Fla.
The Florida-bred juvenile filly answered the question in resounding fashion, turning back Devine Charger by a neck after a stretch-long duel to win the fourth-fastest Sandpiper in its 44 runnings.
“That was something incredible,” said winning jockey Antonio Gallardo after the daughter of Noble Bird-Strategize, by Afleet Alex, held firm to the wire, completing the six-furlong distance in 1:10.05. “At one point I was like, 'Oh, —-.' I was getting a little worried because she felt the pressure from that gray horse, but she's a feisty filly.”
The Sandpiper and the Inaugural were part of the Oldsmar oval's annual Cotillion Festival Day card, consisting entirely of races for 2-year-olds turning 3 on Jan. 1.
Owned by Gary Barber and trained by Hall of Famer Mark Casse, Strategic Bird paid $4.00 to win after many of her backers nearly lost control rooting for her to hang on. “I had a couple of people with me who said 'This race is over,' ” said Casse assistant Jimmy Miranda of Devine Charger's challenge, “but I said 'No, not yet.'
“She laid down some good fractions (:21.93 for the quarter-mile and :44.91 for the half) and won, so we're really happy with the result. When you get one who wins first time out like she did, you just want to see if they'll take the next step, and she handled everything well today. She's a good-minded filly.”
Chasing Happiness finished third in the 10-horse field, seven lengths behind Devine Charger.
Although Strategic Bird broke a step slow from the No. 1 post, Gallardo was unconcerned, and for good reason. She moved quickly to the lead on her own, giving the rider a chance to give her a breather on the far turn, which doubtless contributed to the victory.
“I tried not to rush her too much because I knew she has a lot of natural speed,” Gallardo said. “She broke a little slow and still set those fractions like it was nothing. Having the No. 1 post was perfect, and after I gave her a chance to relax, she dug in and never quit.”
Bred by the John Oxley Living Trust, Strategic Bird collected $30,000 from the total purse since she was not Florida Sire Stakes-eligible, a requirement to compete for the $50,000 winner's-only bonus.
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