Photograph: Tampa Bay Downs / SV Images
Jockey Ben Curtis would have most well-liked a sooner tempo within the $125,000 prize cash, 1 1/16-mile race. Wayward Las Stakes The place do 4-year-old fillies begin? drexel hills Trademark closing kick.
When pacesetters Andrea and Runaway Diva accomplished the primary quarter mile in 24.57 seconds and the half mile in 49.01 seconds, Curtis knew he needed to get nearer to Drexel Hill to get the job executed.
Curtis focused Runaway Diva close to the house flip and received the response he anticipated from Drexel Hill, successful house by 1 3/4 lengths over Runaway Diva in a time of 1 minute, 43.96 seconds. Final Authority took third place, an additional 6 1/4 lengths behind a area of six older mares and mares.
“I needed to adapt,” mentioned Curtis, an Irish native who rode for the primary time at Tampa Bay Downs. “I used to be assured she would win the race – she has the flexibility – however when circumstances change it’s a must to adapt, and I pushed her additional ahead and form of attacked (Runaway Diva) on the quarter pole.
“I had received with Runaway Diva earlier than and I knew she had an acceleration gear, so I wished to ensure I coated that. I used to be assured that when she received to the entrance, (Drexel Hill) would keep there, however she would not do a lot to get to the entrance.”
“She’s knowledgeable who listens and appears round after she’s executed sufficient,” Curtis mentioned. “She’s a trier who enjoys what she does and he or she provides you confidence whenever you maintain your head up in entrance.
“I feel she will take rather a lot out of this race when it comes to confidence as a result of after ending lane I may see she wished to maintain going,” Curtis mentioned.
The win was Drexel Hill’s third in 10 video games. Drexel Hill had completed second within the final two races, the Kentucky Oaks (G1) held at Churchill Downs final Could and the Mom Goose (G2) held at Aqueduct Racetrack in November.
Drexel Hill paid $3.20 to win because the heavy favourite. The $60,000 first-place prize elevated her profession bankroll to $576,520.
Drexel Hill is educated by Whit Beckman for Legion Racing.
Many of the crowd was there to see Drexel Hill, a daughter of Ascot Stroll’s Borto d’Oro and Daher’s outgoing Drexel Hill, who proved to be a promising filly in races within the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Mom Goose (G2). Curtis practiced on her within the flip house and contemplating it was her first begin since November, she and her Legion Racing companions who had been current had been more than happy along with her efficiency.
“Ben knew heading into the race that she wasn’t going to have a lot tempo and mentioned he wanted to push her slightly bit extra early on,” mentioned Christian Villante, one of many six companions that make up Legion Racing. “She was out of her consolation zone in some methods – she had a bent to fall again slightly bit and make one large run – however I feel her class did it.
“As soon as Ben received engaged, she was completely invigorated,” Villante mentioned. “This was actually a place to begin for her (to 2026). Even within the mornings, she is usually a little lazy and should do some work, however she all the time does her greatest for us.”
Tessellate is dominant in Gasparilla
Different stakes on the Skyway Competition Day card embrace $125,000 over seven furlongs. Gasparilla Stakes For 3 12 months outdated Florida fillies Tessellate Ridden by jockey Edgardo Zayas, he handed the leaders one after one other within the early phases, after which continued on to win by 2 3/4 lengths over Woman Valor. Each he and Lidgie did effectively, with Woman Valor successful by a neck and Lidgie third.
Tesselate improved to a few of 5 wins for coach Safi Joseph Jr. Her time was 1 minute 23.58 seconds. She earned $77,500 as a Florida native, rising her earnings to $171,010.
Co-owner Paul Braverman mentioned the race was much like the Nov. 15 Juvenile Fillies Dash S at Gulfstream Park, which Tesselate received by 13 lengths with Zayas driving.
“I assumed she would sluggish the tempo and let the opposite guys work exhausting up entrance, and that is what occurred. It labored out very well for us,” Braverman mentioned. The opening quarter-mile, 21.86 mph and 44.64 seconds, proved unsustainable for Gerrard’s Cross and Love Like Lucy, however it was close to good for Tessellate, who accelerated on the flip house and by no means threatened till the tip. She paid $3.80 to win because the betting favourite.
“I have been ready for the fitting time to roll her,” coach Zayas mentioned. Coach Zayas earned his eighth win on turf with Joseph Orseno’s 4-year-old filly Phoenix of Wit and his tenth win on turf with William Walden’s 4-year-old filly The Palace Lady. “I attempted to get into her with the three/8 pole and he or she responded brilliantly. I feel she was classier than the remainder of the sector.”
Nothing is definite, and Braverman and different companions mentioned they’re not sure how the Lure Shot McKinzie Shotdown Flaming Lady will fare on Oldsmar’s floor. However on this case there was no want to fret.
“She likes to be in the course of the course, and Edgard floated her there and closed the center, so I assumed he rode her completely. She undoubtedly rode the course,” Braverman mentioned.
