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Dec. 19 Insights

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SIX-FIGURE MEDAG COLT MAKES FIRST START AT TAMPA

3rd-TAM, $27.5K, Msw, 2yo, 1m 40yds, 1:12 p.m.

Godolphin’s NEW DAWN (Medaglia d’Oro), a $600,000 KEESEP buy, will face the starter for the first time Saturday at Tampa. She is out of SW Wait Til Dawn (Giant’s Causeway), who is a full-sister to GSW Excited, who in turn is the dam of SW & MGSP Thrilled (Uncle Mo). This is also the family of MGISW Spain (Thunder Gulch). TJCIS PPs

PLETCHER UNVEILS PRICEY ‘CHROME’ COLT

5th-AQU, $80K, Msw, 2yo, 6f, 1:45p.m.

Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable joined forces to secure INSPIRATION POINT (California Chrome) for $725,000 at the delayed OBS April Sale and the colt debuts here for Todd Pletcher. A $65,000 RNA at KEESEP, the gray became his sire’s most expensive offspring after breezing in a sharp :20 3/5. He has continued to breeze sharply for Pletcher, including a half-mile bullet in :47 flat (1/34) two works back over the Belmont training track Dec. 9. His unraced dam Diva Style (Unbridled’s Song) is a half to GSW Tizfiz (Tiznow), who is the dam of MGISW Tiz the Law (Constitution). TJCIS PPs

STONESTREET DEBUTANTE DEBUTS IN NOLA

8th-FG, $50K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, 4:25 p.m.

Stonestreet homebred PAULINE’S PEARL (Tapit) looks to follow in the hoofprints of her talented dam Hot Dixie Chick (Dixie Union) as she gets her career started for the same trainer, Steve Asmussen, at the Fair Grounds Saturday. Barbara Banke purchased Hot Dixie Chick for $435,000 at the 2009 FTFFEB juvenile sale and she won four times, including the GI Spinaway S. at Saratoga. She is also the dam of Union Jackson, who carried the Stonestreet colors to a pair of stakes win and a graded-stakes placing during his tenure in the Asmussen barn. He now stands stud at Becky Thomas’ Sequel New York. Out of GSW Above Perfection (In Excess {Ire}), Hot Dixie Chick is a half-sister to GI Kentucky Derby hero Always Dreaming (Bodemeister) and GSW Positive Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile), who brought $1.5-million from Spendthrift at FTKNOV last month. Pauline’s Pearl enters off a best-of-21 five panels at Fair Grounds in 1:00 1/5 Dec. 10. Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider homebred Symptom (Runhappy) also makes her first trip to the post here. The bay is out of GSW Sign (Pulpit), who is a half-sister to GSW Vexed (Arch). She prepped for this with a half-mile bullet in :47 1/5, the best of 78 at the distance, in NOLA Dec. 11. TJCIS PPs

EXPENSIVE QUALITY ROAD COLT MAKES CAREER BOW

11th-GP, $50K, Msw, 2yo, 1mT, 5:14 p.m.

John Oxley’s $625,000 KEESEP acquisition COURAGEOUSLY (Quality Road) debuts in this spot for trainer Mark Casse. Out of MSW Miss Red Delicious (Empire Maker), the dark bay is a half to GSW Nootka Sound (Lonhro {Aus}) and SP Follow No One (Uncle Mo). Miss Red Delicious is a half to MGSW & GISP Lady Apple (Curlin), who brought $1.2 million at FTKNOV; SW & GSP Dr. Diamonds Prize (Pure Prize); and the dam of SW & GISP Parlor (Lonhro {Aus}). Todd Pletcher saddles another intriguing firster in Ultimate Gift (Pioneerof the Nile). The $350,000 KEESEP buy is out of GSW Savvy Supreme (Distorted Humor), a full-sister to two-time GI Whitney S. winner Commentator.

TJCIS PPs

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Shivaree, Heiressall Record FTBOA Stakes Victories At Tampa Bay Downs

Shivaree has danced some mighty big dances. He was second to Tiz the Law in the Grade 1 Florida Derby in March and finished off the board in the Grade 1 Travers, also won by Tiz the Law, in August at Saratoga.

Keeping that kind of company, as well as winning a pair of Gulfstream Park stakes and finishing second in the Grade 3 Swale Stakes last winter, made Shivaree a formidable contender in Saturday's fourth edition of the $100,000, 7-furlong Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association Marion County Florida Sire Stakes for FTBOA-registered Florida-breds today at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar, Fla.

But trainer Ralph Nicks never expected the 3-year-old colt to have an easy time of it.

“I liked his chances, but he was going in against some established older horses,” Nicks said from his Fort Lauderdale home after Shivaree's 2 ¼-length victory from three-time Tampa Bay Downs stakes winner Jackson, a 4-year-old Grade 3 winner, in stakes-record time of 1:21.68. “(Jackson), Noble Drama, Gerald Bennett's horse (My Boy Lenny), Mr. (Fred) Brei's other horse (Old Time Revival) – it was a tough, solid group of older horses that will make a young horse run.”

Bettors agreed it was a tough task and regarded Shivaree as the third wagering choice in the seven-horse field behind Noble Drama and Jackson. Shivaree rewarded his backers by moving to the lead powerfully in the stretch under jockey Roberto Alvarado, Jr., and finishing strong to hand Jackson his first Tampa Bay Downs setback. Noble Drama, the 6-5 favorite, finished third.

The FTBOA Marion County Florida Sire Stakes for colts and geldings was one of two FTBOA-sponsored stakes races on Saturday designed to showcase the Sunshine State's rich breeding and racing industry. In the other, the $100,000 FTBOA City of Ocala Florida Sire Stakes for registered Florida-bred fillies and mares, 5-year-old mare Heiressall moved smartly to the lead on the turn for home under jockey Antonio Gallardo and withstood a late rally by Independent Miss for a 3 ¼-length victory. Pace-setter The Goddess Lyssa finished third.

Heiressall posted a time of 1:23.35 for the seven furlongs. She is a homebred racing for Wanda Polisseni's My Purple Haze Stables and trained by Terri Pompay. She paid $5.80 as the betting favorite in the seven-horse field.

Back, for now, to Shivaree and the boys. Shivaree paid $13.60 to win the Marion County. Bred and owned by Fred Brei's Jacks or Better Farm in Reddick, Fla., near Ocala, he boosted his career bankroll to $433,475 by earning $60,000 with his fourth victory in 15 starts. Shivaree is by the sire Awesome of Course, out of the Anasheed broodmare Garter Belt.

He was saddled here by Nicks assistant Sonny Righter.

“It's a nice feeling,” Nicks said. “With him turning 4 (on January 1), hopefully he can be one of the better Florida-bred 4-year-olds. We gave him a break after the Travers, which he needed, and he wasn't quite all the way back for his last race (a fourth-place finish Nov. 14 in the Millions Sprint Preview at Gulfstream Park West).

“He stalked the pace today the way we wanted, he didn't have to be sent and we knew he'd stay steady and try hard down the lane. I knew he had a big chance at the sixteenth pole,” Nicks said. “Roberto gave him a patient ride, got through traffic well and was aggressive when he needed to be.”

Alvarado was riding a horse for Nicks for the first time, and he made a good impression, just as Shivaree did on him.

“When I asked him around the three-eighths-mile pole, he took a little while to get going, but as soon as I got him into the clear and we got going he just took off,” Alvarado said. “I knew I had a chance to get (Jackson), and my horse finished great.”

Heiressall and Antonio Gallardo winning the FTBOA City of Ocala Sire Stakes

Four races later, FTBOA City of Ocala FSS winner Heiressall improved to 7-for-20, and the winner's check of $60,000 boosted her lifetime earnings to $358,038. She is a daughter of Wildcat Heir out of Polisseni's Unbridled Song's mare, All Bridled.

Heiressall, who won the Sheer Drama Stakes at Gulfstream Park two races back, benefited from an early speed duel between The Goddess Lyssa and Tiz Possible Dear, allowing Gallardo to track them smoothly from third place. Heiressall took over from a game The Goddess Lyssa at the 1/8-mile pole and was home free from there.

“Everything came out how I wanted, really,” Gallardo said. “(Pompay) and the assistant trainer (Gerardo Perez) told me to let the speed go but keep her fairly close, and it worked out perfect. She looked beautiful in the paddock and she was ready. She was very relaxed in the race and when I asked her, she did everything right.”

Pompay enjoyed the show from her south Florida home, taking pride in Heiressall's continuing development as a 5-year-old. “She is a professional girl. She is all business on the racetrack,” Pompay said. “She loves what she does; you just have to put her in the right spots and she does her job.

“(Gallardo) rode a great race. He got her in good position and got her to run relaxed and forwardly, and when he asked for her best, she responded.”

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Tampa Bay Downs: Leading Trainer Gerald Bennett Saddles Three Winners

Off to a fast start at the 2020-21 Tampa Bay Downs meet in Oldsmar, Fla., leading trainer Gerald Bennett sent out three winners on Saturday's program. He's won with 11 of his first 33 starters.

Bennett won the first race with Lady Breanna, a 5-year-old Florida-bred mare bred and owned by J J Brevan Stable and ridden by Daniel Centeno. He added the eighth race on the turf with D'craziness, a 7-year-old Florida-bred horse owned by Averill Racing and ridden by Samy Camacho.

Bennett's third victory came in the 10th and final race with Ticket to Alaska, a 2-year-old gelding owned by William MacKinnon and ridden by Camacho.

Alvarado and Gallardo joined Camacho in winning two races. Alvarado won the second race aboard the 6-year-old mare Stated for owner-trainer Bruno Tessore. Gallardo captured the ninth race, the Lambholm South Race of the Week on the turf, on Crown and Sugar, a 5-year-old Florida-bred mare owned by Reitman Stables and trained by Darien Rodriguez.

Thoroughbred racing continues Wednesday with a nine-race card beginning at 12:42 p.m. Sunday racing at Tampa Bay Downs begins Dec. 20 as the track moves to a four-days-a-week schedule for the duration of the meeting. The track will be closed Christmas Day, Dec. 25, but will stage a full card on Thursday, Dec. 24.

With the exception of Christmas and Easter Sunday, April 4, Tampa Bay Downs 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.

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Noble Drama Tops Saturday’s FTBOA Stakes At Tampa Bay Downs

Florida's historic Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry will be on display on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs, with a pair of $100,000 stakes races sponsored by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association highlighting the 10-race card.

Post time for the first race is 12:12 p.m. The FTBOA Marion County Florida Sire Stakes for colts and geldings is the third race, with the FTBOA City of Ocala Florida Sire Stakes for fillies and mares the seventh race. Both races are for registered Florida-breds 3-years-old and upward who are sired by an FTBOA-registered Florida stallion. Each race will be contested on the main dirt track at a distance of 7 furlongs.

With a forecast of sunny skies and temperatures climbing into the mid-70s, fans are encouraged to be part of the excitement. Spectators are required to wear masks and encouraged to practice social distancing.

Despite having only seven entrants, the Marion County might be the most wide-open race on the card. The 3-year-old gelding Legal Deal, 4-year-old colt Jackson and 3-year-old colt Shivaree – the first, second and fourth-place finishers, respectively, in the Nov. 14 Millions Sprint Preview Stakes sprinting 6 furlongs on a sloppy track at Gulfstream Park West – are set to resume their rivalry.

None of those three, however, are likely to be the betting favorite. That role should fall to 5-year-old gelding Noble Drama, who on that same Nov. 14 card was upset by 27-1 shot Quenane in the 1-mile Millions Classic Preview Stakes. Before that, Noble Drama had won the Benny The Bull Stakes and the FTBOA Florida Sire Wildcat Heir Stakes back-to-back at Gulfstream Park, giving him five career stakes victories.

Noble Drama races for his breeder, Harold L. Queen, and is trained by David Fawkes. He will be ridden by leading Tampa Bay Downs jockey Samy Camacho. Noble Drama's victories include the 2018 FTBOA Silver Charm Florida Sire Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

Jackson, bred and owned by Tracy Pinchin and trained by her husband, Jose Pinchin, won the Grade III World of Trouble Sprint Stakes back in February at Gulfstream Park. He is 3-for-3 at Tampa Bay Downs, all state-bred stakes victories. His victory in the 2019 FTBOA Silver Charm Florida Sire Stakes was achieved in track-record time of 1:38.86 for the mile-and-40-yard distance.

Antonio Gallardo will ride Jackson.

Shivaree, bred and owned by Jacks or Better Farm and trained by Ralph Nicks, might be the most intriguing Marion County entrant. He's a multiple-stakes winner, and back in February and March he finished second in the Grade III Swale Stakes, the Hutcheson Stakes and the Grade I Curlin Florida Derby in succession, all at Gulfstream. He also competed in the Grade II Toyota Blue Grass at Keeneland and the Grade I Runhappy Travers at Saratoga. Roberto Alvarado, Jr., has the riding assignment.

The City of Ocala has attracted nine hopefuls, with 5-year-old mare Heiressall the probable favorite. Owned by My Purple Haze Stables and trained by Teresa Pompay, she won the Sheer Drama Stakes on Sept. 6 at Gulfstream before a fifth-place finish in the slop on Nov. 14 at Gulfstream Park West in the Millions Distaff Stakes. Gallardo will be the rider.

Other likely contenders include 5-year-old Tiz Possible Dear, who won that Millions Distaff Stakes; 4-year-old filly R Prerogative, who finished third in last year's City of Ocala; and 3-year-old Independent Miss, who has finished in the money in six consecutive starts.

Hector Diaz, Jr., will ride Tiz Possible Dear for owner Paradise Farms Corp. and trainer Peter Walder, while Camacho has the assignment on R Prerogative for owners Averill Racing and CCF Racing Stable and trainer Georgina Baxter.

Independent Miss races for her breeder-owner, Stonehedge LLC, and is trained by Michael Yates. Alberto Burgos is the jockey.

Bettors who choose to overlook 3-year-old The Goddess Lyssa, a supplemental entry, do so at their own risk. Although off since May 8, she is 3-for-4 for owner Team Equistaff, Inc., and leading Oldsmar trainer Gerald Bennett. Alvarado is the jockey.

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