2015/2016 MEDIA GUIDE
Transcription
2015/2016 MEDIA GUIDE
2015/2016 MEDIA GUIDE TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome to Tampa Bay Downs…...……………………………………………………….……………………………………………. 3 Map, Directions, Telephone Numbers and Addresses..……………..………………………………………...……….................… 4 Media Policies…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…. 5 Staff………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 6 2015-2016 Racing Calendar……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….7 The Track…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8 The Downs Golf Facility.……………….……….………………………………………………………………………………………….9 The Silks Poker Room and Tampa Bay Downs in the Community…..………..………...…….………………………………….…10 Tampa Bay Downs History………………..……………………………….……………………………………………...……..…...11-22 Tampa Bay Downs Logos…………………………………………………………………………………..…………………… 23-24 Jockey Profiles…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………25-38 Trainer Profiles…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...…….39-51 Owner Profiles………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….52-59 Track Records……………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………...60-63 Stakes Histories…………………………………………………………………………………...…………….……………………64-122 All photographs in the Media Guide are by Tom Cooley except: Page 8: Gray horse, photo by Alan Messerschmidt Page 10: Relay for Life, photo by Bob Argus Page 39: Horses at the gap, photo by Alan Messerschmidt Page 65: Chris Thomas, www.sptimes.com/.../_Chris_Thomas_touched.shtml Page 65: Minarets, collegeprofiles.com/tampa.html Page 65: Space Shuttle Endeavour, www.aerospaceguide.net/spaceshuttle/index.html Page 65: Wayward Lass: http://www.bloodhorse.com/articleindex/article.asp?id=16892 2 WELCOME TO TAMPA BAY DOWNS! By offering high-caliber Thoroughbred horse racing, exciting no-limits tournament action in The Silks Poker Room and quality shot-making instruction and amenities at The Downs Golf Practice Facility, Tampa Bay Downs has emerged as the premier multi-entertainment destination on Florida‘s west coast. As the track celebrates its 90th anniversary season, its remarkable history is worth another look. Matt J. Winn, legendary promoter of the Kentucky Derby, teamed with Ohio investor Harvey Mayers to bring horse racing to the ―Top of the Bay‖ in 1926. Since then, Tampa Bay Downs has provided area sports fans and visitors with live racing action during the winter and spring months, while in 2013 adding an annual two-day Summer Festival of Racing held each June 30 and July 1. Originally opened as Tampa Downs, the racetrack has amassed a long and colorful history. It was renamed Sunshine Park in 1947 and entered the modern era that year with the installation of an electric starting gate, photo-finish camera and electronic tote board. The racetrack became popular with sportswriters who came to the area to cover baseball spring training. Grantland Rice, Red Smith, and Arthur Daley were devoted regulars, with Rice describing the track as the ―Santa Anita of the South.‖ In 1965, the track was acquired by a group of Tampa sportsmen and renamed Florida Downs. It became Tampa Bay Downs 15 years later after another change in ownership. The current owners assumed the reins before the start of the 1986-1987 season, and the facility has been in a state of constant improvement since. In the spring of 1997, Mrs. Stella Thayer, President and Treasurer of Tampa Bay Downs, announced plans for the installation of a 7/8-mile turf course with a quarter-mile chute. The course was completed in the spring of 1998 and the first turf race was contested on Kentucky Derby Day, May 2, 1998. This improvement has provided more opportunities for horsemen and patrons alike. Tampa Bay Downs launched The Downs Golf Practice Facility in 2003 as a state-of-the-art, first-of-its-kind golf practice and wagering facility. The 22 acres of fully lighted golf property include 270 yards of open range for full-swing shots, plus putting and short-game areas. The Downs Golf Clubhouse features a fully stocked pro shop, snack bar and wagering terminals, complete with numerous TV monitors to catch all the action. The opening of the 2003-2004 season saw the debut of The Silks Poker Room. In July of 2007, the Florida Legislature granted Tampa Bay Downs permission to operate The Silks Poker Room year-round. It is now open daily on the third floor of the Grandstand from 10 a.m.-4 a.m. The track‘s profile skyrocketed in 2007 when Street Sense used his thrilling nose victory in the then-Grade III Tampa Bay Derby as a springboard to winning the Kentucky Derby. In 2010, third-place Tampa Bay Derby finisher Super Saver triumphed in the Run for the Roses, and the Tampa Bay Derby was awarded Grade II status the following spring. It is one of six graded stakes conducted annually at Tampa Bay Downs. During the 2011-2012 season, bettors heralded the introduction of Trakus, an electronic system which displays the position and location of each horse during a race. Prior to the start of the 2013-14 season, the grandstand was remodeled to include a pub-style gathering place, Riders Up!, with marble countertops, a candy-apple redwood finish and a variety of craft beers, and the Metro Deli, resembling an old-time, big-city eatery. The improvements have continued the past two seasons with the unveiling of a bright, redesigned circular driveway entrance, a revamped tote board and other upgrades to fan comfort and convenience. Contemporary racing fans, journalists and horse lovers embrace the Downs for its distinctive, country fair-style charm, and it is regarded far and wide as one3 of America‘s most pleasant and well-maintained racetracks. CONTACT INFORMATION Physical Address Mailing Address 11225 Race Track Road Tampa, FL 33626 P. O. Box 2007 Oldsmar, FL 34677 Telephone Numbers Main Number Racing Office Main Fax 813.855.4401 800.200.4434 813.854.3539 Web and E-mail Address www.tampabaydowns.com service@tampabaydowns.com DIRECTIONS From I-275: Take Tampa Airport exit. Follow signs to Veterans Expressway. Take Expressway to Exit 4 (Hillsborough Avenue). Turn west on Hillsborough Avenue. Travel approximately 10 miles to Race Track Road. Make a right on Race Track Road and travel 1 mile to Tampa Bay Downs. From Pinellas County: On U.S. Highway 19, go to the intersection with State Road 580 at Countryside Mall; go east on State Road 580 about 6 miles to the stoplight at Race Track Road; go left on Race Track Road, 1 mile to Tampa Bay Downs. From St. Petersburg: Take the Bayside Bridge north to McMullen Booth Road; go east on State Road 580 about 4 miles to the stoplight at Race Track Road; turn left on Race Track Road, 1 mile to Tampa Bay Downs. From Pasco County: On U.S. Highway 19, go to the intersection with Tampa Road (State Road 584); go east on Tampa Road 7 miles to the stoplight at Race Track Road; turn left on Race Track Road, 1 mile to Tampa Bay Downs. 4 MEDIA POLICIES Tampa Bay Downs is extremely pleased to have you with us for our 90th anniversary season of Thoroughbred racing. Outlined below are guidelines to assist your coverage of the current meeting that commenced on July 1, 2015 and resumed on Nov. 28: 1. In order to gain access to the stable area, all media MUST have prior approval and the proper credentials. These credentials are available in the Publicity Office, and media members are required to wear their Press ID at all times. 2. All photographers MUST check in with the Track Photographer, Stephanie Valenti, Ext. 1246. Valenti will issue credentials to all photographers, as well as offer advice on good locations to shoot from, both on the front side and the stable area. These credentials are mandatory in order to shoot from the area adjacent to the track surface; publication credentials alone will not suffice. Valenti‘s office is located on the lower level of the Grandstand adjacent to the State Licensing Office. 3. Phone lines are available in the Press Box for those who need to file their stories electronically. If any other special needs exist, please contact the Publicity Office, Ext. 1368. Tampa Bay Downs provides free wireless access throughout the facility. 4. The Press Box is located on the fourth floor of the Grandstand. 5. Photography is NOT permitted in the Grandstand or Clubhouse Mutuel areas at any time without prior permission of Track Management. 6. On March 12, 2016 (Tampa Bay Derby Day), winning owners, trainers and jockeys will be taken to the V.I.P. Room for interviews immediately after the presentation in the winner‘s circle. 7. Parking for all credentialed media will be in the Horsemen‘s Parking Lot, north of the Grandstand. For further information or questions, contact Margo Flynn in the Publicity Office at Tampa Bay Downs at 813-855-4401, Ext. 1368 or mjflynn@tampabaydowns.com. 5 TAMPA BAY DOWNS OFFICERS Track Officers Stella F. Thayer.………………...…………..…………………….……………………………………………………...President and Treasurer Howell Ferguson……………………………………...………………………...……………………….………….Vice President and Secretary Peter N. Berube……………………………..………………...…………………………………………..Vice President and General Manager Greg Gelyon……………….……………………………………..…………...…………………..…………………….Vice President of Finance Margo J. Flynn…………………………………………………...…………...…………………...….Vice President of Marketing and Publicity Tom McLaughlin………………………………………………………………………………..Vice President of Facilities and Track Surfaces Operating Officials Stephanie Valenti…..…………………………………………………...………………………………………….………….Track Photographer Allison De Luca… ……………………………………………....…………………………...………Director of Racing and Racing Secretary Richard Grunder……………………………………………………………...…….……………………………………………..Track Announcer Deanna Nicol……………………………………………...………………………………………………...…………………...Frontside Security Dennis Lima……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Association Steward Nicole McGill…..………………………………………………………………..…..……………………………………..Director of Group Sales John Morrissey…….……….…………………..……………………………………………………………………………..Association Steward Richard Toda……………………………………………………………………………………….……….…………..Director of Client Services John Hernandez………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Information Technology Frank White...…………………………………………………...……………...….……………………………………………..Mutuels Manager Andy York…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Food and Beverage Director 6 2015-2016 LIVE RACING SCHEDULE 7 THE TRACK MAIN TRACK The main track is a one-mile oval with a sand-and-loam composition, and is rated one of the best surfaces in the nation for both training and racing. The surface is unrivaled in terms of drainage and cushion. The main track is 75 feet wide, the length of the stretch is 976 feet, and the track features a seven-furlong chute. Starting-gate schooling is available on race days from 7:30-10 a.m., and training hours are from 6-10 a.m. unless otherwise noted (the track is closed for harrowing from 8:30-9 a.m.). The banking of the track is 4 degrees on the straightaways and 6 degrees on the turns. TURF COURSE The turf course was completed for competition in 1998 and is seven-eighths of a mile in circumference with a quarter-mile chute. The width of the turf course is 80 feet. The grass is Tifton #419 Bermuda Turf. The course supports rails settings of 0 feet, 12 feet, 24 feet and 30 feet. PADDOCK & WALKING RING AREA Located adjacent to the Grandstand at the north end of the facility, the paddock consists of a 14-stall covered saddling area that abuts the wood-chip walking ring where the horses are united with their jockeys and paraded prior to each race. Once the field has circled the walking ring, the horses move onto the track for the post parade and prerace warm-up. BACKSTRETCH The backstretch houses 1,460 horses in 31 barns, including two receiving barns. The backside kitchen and Racing Office complex are located on the south end of the backstretch along with soccer and softball fields and the Veterinary Office. Adjacent to the entrance and exit chutes on the backside of the track are the Horsemen‘s Benevolent and Protective Association Office, the Chaplain‘s Office, main shower and restroom facilities, a tack shop and basketball court. A feed-and-tack store is located east of the barn area, as are paddocks available to trainers for seasonal rental. SEATING & PARKING The Grandstand seats 4,300 people and the Clubhouse seats 1,700 patrons. There are also many casual options available trackside, including the Picnic Pavilion Area, which seats 500; the Grandstand apron benches; and picnic-table seating. On the Clubhouse apron, bench seating is also offered, along with the Stella Artois Trackside Garden Suite, a fully contained private area that seats a party of 35 comfortably. There is parking for approximately 5,000 cars on the property. 8 THE DOWNS GOLF PRACTICE FACILITY A first-of-its-kind golf-practice and simulcast-wagering complex, The Downs Golf Practice Facility is located just south of the racetrack. The 22 acres of fully lighted property include 270 yards of open range for full-swing shots, plus putting, short-game and bunker areas. The facility has been open since 2003. It celebrated its 10th anniversary on March 23, 2013 with free club fittings, clinics and pro shop discounts. It has also been the site of five weekend Golfest events — featuring celebrities such as retired LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam, world-renowned instructor David Leadbetter and major-championship winner Brittany Lincicome of nearby Seminole, Fla. — as well as local qualifying events for the annual Drive, Chip & Putt Championship for junior golfers. ―Our goal in building the range was to make Tampa Bay Downs a total entertainment destination. With live racing, full-card simulcasting, golf, concerts and poker, we are realizing that vision,‖ says Tampa Bay Downs General Manager Peter Berube. ―We currently offer facility rental, full-service dining, and group plans tailored to our patrons‘ needs, rounding out the total experience.‖ The Downs is committed to offering the finest learning and practice environment in the community, featuring 45 grass-tee stations that are rotated daily to give the golfer near-perfect practice conditions every day. ―We have developed a first-class golf practice facility to introduce more players to the game and to help experienced golfers keep their practice habits on the right track,‖ says Golf Practice Facility Manager Jon Johnson. Johnson, formerly of All In One Golf Practice and Learning Facility in Largo, Fla., and the Michael Jordan Golf Center in Illinois, is a PGA Class A professional who brings with him more than 25 years of experience within the golf community. He is responsible for day-to-day operations including the Pro Shop, range, instruction, food and beverage and grounds maintenance. The Downs Golf Academy offers top-of-the-line instructional clinics that cover a range of topics from swing and short game to specialty shots. Matt Mitchell, formerly of Countryside Driving, is highly respected as one of the area‘s premier instructors. With more than 30 years of experience, he is a PGA Class A professional and conducts lessons, clinics and schools on an ongoing basis. Also on staff is Joey DiPompo, the Assistant Teaching Professional at the Matt Mitchell Golf Academy who graduated from Professional Golfers Career College in 2010 and excels in club fitting and club repair. The range is uniquely designed with the look and feel of a golf course, encouraging players to bring every club in their bag. There are numerous bunkers and practice-green areas to help golfers fine-tune pitching, chipping and approach shots. The nearly two-acre short game area consists of: 8,000 square feet of putting green surface 6,000 square feet of greens for practicing chipping and sand game 7,000 square feet of greens for approach shots from 10 to 65 yards Best of all, golf enthusiasts can practice 363 days a year (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas) while enjoying simulcast racing and wagering from the convenience of The Downs Golf Clubhouse, a first in the nation for any racetrack or golf facility. 9 THE SILKS POKER ROOM The Silks Poker Room offers players virtual non-stop excitement, with a variety of games, high stakes and no-limit poker. The offerings include games such as Five- and Seven-Card Stud, Texas Hold 'Em, Omaha and more. The elegant air-conditioned room is completely non-smoking and includes 30 poker tables. There are plenty of television monitors and roaming tellers, so fans can watch, wager and win on all the live horse racing and simulcast action. Tableside beverage service and in-house masseuses are available, so no one has to miss a hand. Whether patrons are experienced poker players, newcomers, or somewhere in between, The Silks Poker Room is a friendly, welcoming environment. Our professional, outgoing, and experienced staff is always willing to help. New games include Three Card Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold ‗Em. The Silks Poker Room, which opened in December of 2003, is located on the third floor of the Grandstand and is accessible by both stairs and elevator. During live racing hours on weekends, players pay the track's regular $2.00 Grandstand admission at the gate and proceed to the Poker Room. Guests can stop by the reception desk to reserve a spot at the table where the game of their choice is being played. The Silks Poker Room is open year-round except for Christmas and Easter Sunday, offering no-limit games and expanded poker and dining hours from 10 a.m.-4 a.m. TAMPA BAY DOWNS IN THE COMMUNITY Each season Tampa Bay Downs holds five Charity Days during its meet, with proceeds earmarked for charitable organizations that qualify under Florida law to receive such contributions. The recipients are in both the Tampa Bay community and the Thoroughbred industry. Over the past nine seasons, more than $1-million has been raised for these organizations through Charity Day at Tampa Bay Downs. A sampling of the charities that have received direct aid from Tampa Bay Downs include Rotary‘s Camp Florida in Brandon, Tampa Bay Sports Commission, Upper Tampa Bay Education Foundation, Florida Thoroughbred Charities, Oldsmar Cares, Thoroughbred Retirement of Tampa, Inc. (TROT) and Children‘s Home Society of Florida (Joshua House) in Tampa. In addition, Tampa Bay Downs directly contributes more than $31 million into the community each year, and also provides more than 500 employment positions during the live racing season. In the summer months, Tampa Bay Downs continues to support the community by offering job opportunities to more than 100 individuals. The track‘s annual payroll exceeds $7.1 million. In 2007 and 2008, Tampa Bay Downs hosted 10 the Upper Tampa Bay Relay for Life, an allnight walkathon that raised more than $37,000 for the American Cancer Society.. HISTORY Nature’s pastels showcase the Downs at dusk 11 HISTORY 1926 - The track opens for its inaugural meeting under the name of Tampa Downs. The season lasts 39 days and is headed by Ohio investor Harvey Mayers and Kentucky Colonel Matt J. Winn, famed promoter of the Kentucky Derby. Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey, Gene Sarazen and John Ringling help inaugurate the opening on Feb. 18. Torcher wins the $4,450 ―Florida Derby,‖ which is actually a precursor to the Flamingo Stakes at Hialeah Park. 1927 - Tampa Downs reopens, but for only nine days. 1932 - Desha Breckinridge and Major Thomas McDowell of Lexington oversee repairs and restoration of the facility. Conflicts cause the cancellation of the meet. 1934 - Tampa Turf and Field Club is formed, headed by Hal Thompson. The track reopens as Tampa Downs. Inadequate handles during the heart of the Great Depression force the meeting to close after only six days. 1943 - As World War II rages on, the U.S. Army constructs barracks and turns the track into a jungle warfare training center. 1946 - Sunshine Park Racing Association is formed and provides 650 stalls. A 1947 season is approved by referendum. New Yorker Justin O‘Connor buys the track but dies just two days before opening. 1947 - Frank Hobbs buys the track from the O‘Connor family. The modern era begins as Sunshine Park runs its inaugural meet. The first official tote board is in operation, an electric starting gate is introduced and a photo finish camera is installed. 1948 - A horsemen‘s boycott is averted by increasing the daily purse distribution by $500. 1950 - Legendary sportswriters including Grantland Rice, Red Smith, Fred Russell and Arthur Daley are regulars at the track as they travel south to cover baseball spring training games. Rice coins the phase ―Santa Anita of the South‖ in his columns, referring to the facility. John W. Kane of Wilmington, Del., wins control of the track following a stockholders‘ squabble. A Quarter Horse meet runs for three weeks in February. 1953 - A dozen barns burn but are quickly replaced. The Florida Legislature passes a special bill allowing the track to keep 15% of the takeout and to pay a $4,000 daily fee instead. The track begins to show a profit for the first time and new Clubhouse construction begins at a cost of $300,000. 1954 - The new Clubhouse opens. 1955 - Control of the track is passed to a syndicate headed by Frederick Ballon, director of Yonkers Raceway; Richard West of Rhode Island; and Frank Hobbs, a Tampa attorney. 12 HISTORY 1956 - A $1,000 minimum purse is instituted. 1957 - President Frank Hobbs creates the Florida Breeders‘ Futurity and is voted Florida‘s Man of the Year. Champion filly Indian Maid wins the first Futurity. 1958 - Benell captures the second running of the Florida Breeders‘ Futurity. 1959 - Top owners Sanford Stud, Llangolen Farm, Gene Mori and Fred Hooper send strings to race at Sunshine Park. 1964 - A syndicated TV show called ―Let‘s Go to the Races‖ debuts in numerous major markets, using filmed races from Sunshine Park to award prizes and money to game-card holders. 1965 - The franchise is acquired by a group of Tampa sportsmen headed by Chester Ferguson. 1966 - The track is renamed Florida Downs and Turf Club. Purses total $566,060. The track hosts its first sale of Thoroughbreds. 1968 - The double quinella wager is introduced, requiring bettors to pick the first two finishers in either order on the last two races. In September of 1968, a spectacular fire destroys the Grandstand facility, sparing only the Clubhouse building. 1969 - A new $800,000 Grandstand with the capacity for 6,000 people replaces the one ravaged by fire. The new building debuts with the season opener on January 17. 1972 - Tampa industrialist Sam F. Davis takes the reins of Florida Downs, and with his presidency the track goes into the black and season handle totals a record $11 million. 1973 - Eastern Airlines supports a series of races. An attendance record of 5,878 is established for a single day. 1979 - An average attendance record of 4,414 is established. 1980 - Total handle reaches $29 million. Sam F. Davis retires as President at age 73. In a switch of corporations, the track is renamed Tampa Bay Downs. On March 15, Richard DePass becomes the first jockey in history to go 7-for-7 on a single card. 1981 - Paristo wins the $50,000-added Budweiser Tampa Bay Derby in its inaugural running. He would finish third in the Preakness. Apprentice jockey Julie Krone earns her first career victory aboard Lord Farkle on February 12 for trainer Les St. Leon, and subsequently becomes the most successful female jockey of all time and a member of the sport‘s Hall of Fame. 1983 - Arabian-bred racing is introduced at the track, which becomes the first in the nation to hold a regular racing program for the breed. Morganmorganmorgan wins the Budweiser Tampa Bay Derby, defeating subsequent Eclipse champion Slew o‘ Gold. 13 HISTORY 1984 - The track adds a seven-furlong chute. 1985 - Regal Remark wins the Tampa Bay Derby for owner Ernie Samuel‘s Canadian-based Sam-Son Farm, winner of seven Sovereign Awards as Canada‘s leading breeder. Richard Grunder joins Tampa Bay Downs as track announcer. 1986 - A new dirt track is installed prior to the start of the 1985-1986 meeting at a cost of $250,000. The old base and cushion are replaced and the track is crowned and banked to provide better drainage and give horses a safer racing surface. Bob Clark is named Racing Secretary, replacing Warren Wolf. Hall of Fame jockey Bill Hartack, who rode here briefly as an apprentice when the track was known as Sunshine Park, is named as a steward. 1987 - Stella F. Thayer and her brother, Howell Ferguson, take full control of Tampa Bay Downs with a $16.2-million bid a month before the start of the meeting. Tampa Bay Downs controller Lorraine M. King is named General Manager, completing what is believed to be the first instance of a wagering facility with separate female ownership and management. Mike Manganello, who won the 1970 Kentucky Derby on Dust Commander and won six track jockey titles, rides career winner No. 2,500 on Siberian Gold. The first Sunday card in the history of Tampa Bay Downs is conducted on Dec. 7, 1986, drawing a crowd of 5,893. Ronnie Allen, Jr., wins the second of his four track riding crowns with 76 victories. Phantom Jet, trained by Phil Gleaves, becomes the first horse to win the Sam F. Davis Stakes and the Tampa Bay Derby. 1988 - Ronnie Allen, Jr., becomes the first jockey in track history to surpass 100 victories in a meeting, winning his third title in four seasons with 102 winners. In one of the most memorable renewals of the Tampa Bay Derby, Cefis rallies from 25 lengths off the pace to win for legendary trainer Woodford Cefis ―Woody‖ Stephens. The popular mare Queen Alexandra wins her second consecutive running of the Wayward Lass Stakes. Storm Predictions, owned by Three G Stables and trained by Luis Olivares, uses a victory in the Challenger Stakes as a 2-year-old at the outset of the meeting to build a foundation for his Tampa Bay Derby triumph. 1989 - Inter-track wagering debuts in Florida, and Tampa Bay Downs remains open year-round as a simulcast facility. Tampa Bay Downs owner Stella F. Thayer is installed as the first woman president of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce in the group‘s 103-year history. The winner of the Florida Oaks, She‘s Scrumptious, pays $169.20 to win. Gene, a 5-year-old Florida-bred purchased the previous year by horseman Gary Patrick for $150, wins two starter allowance races at the start of the 1988-1989 meeting to give him 16 victories for 1988, earning the Horsemen‘s Benevolent and Protective Association Claiming Horse of the Year Award. Adored by Oldsmar fans, he is nicknamed ―Gene the Racing Machine‖ and wins his first two starts in 1989. The Sports Gallery opens and the Clubhouse Turn Restaurant is enlarged and renovated. Minors are officially allowed anywhere on the track except in the Sports Gallery and wagering lines. 1990 - The $1-million Tampa Premier Bonus is instituted to reward the connections of any horse winning the Challenger Stakes for 2 -year-olds, the Tampa Bay Derby, the Tampa Premier Stakes (on closing day, April 8) and the Kentucky Derby. Jockey Ken Blackstun marries assistant publicity director Juli Youngren in a winner‘s-circle ceremony on March 10; Blackstun wins that day‘s sixth race on Easter Hawk. Former Oakland Raiders head coach John Rauch is employed as a security guard. 14 HISTORY 1991 - A new inner rail is installed, and a new Grandstand dining area called the Silks Bistro opens, decorated with prominent silks from all eras of the track‘s history. A tornado tears through the backside, ripping the roofs off barns and uprooting an oak tree. The overnight disaster causes the following day‘s races to be canceled. 1992 - To the north of the Grandstand, the Picnic Area opens to give families a chance to enjoy the Florida sunshine and a day at the races. A Z-Alpha display board is added to the infield to keep the patrons better informed. Tampa sends its live racing signal to Birmingham, Ala., the track‘s first out-of-state site. More than $2.7 million is bet at Birmingham on Tampa Bay Downs races. Jockey Willie Martinez rides 123 winners, establishing a single-season track record. 1993 - John E. Grady is named Vice President and General Manager. Jockey William Henry rides 123 winners to tie the meet record. John Reading captures his second consecutive training title. 1994 - A $2,600 yearling, Prix De Crouton, wins the Tampa Bay Derby for owners Lorne and Kathleen Berg. 1995 - The Tampa Bay Derby and the Florida Oaks are run on the same day for the first time in the history of the track. Don Rice wins the first of his eight training titles. 1996 - The track‘s first 70 years are observed in gala style, and the Florida Oaks gains Grade III status. A record 360 simulcast outlets take Tampa Bay Downs‘ signal, and 540 take the Tampa Bay Derby card. The Florida Legislature approves full-card simulcasting, giving pari-mutuel facilities the option of hosting signals from out-of-state tracks. Tampa Bay Downs takes over concession areas in the plant, providing more flexibility and lower prices to patrons. A new barn is constructed to house 50 horses. 1997 - The plant remains open seven days a week to host simulcast signals for the first time. Six purse increases of 5% result in a major bonanza for horsemen and establish the highest average purse distribution in the track‘s history. The Challenger Stakes returns to the schedule. Attendance is up 4.3% over the previous season and the on-track handle jumps an additional 15.74%, while outof-state wagering increases 22%. Ground is broken for the turf course on May 14, and the grass is planted Sept. 9. Road improvements allow greater access with the Linebaugh Extension to the north. Widening and repairs also improve Race Track Road, Hillsborough Avenue and Tampa Road. William Henry wins the jockeys‘ title for the fourth time in five seasons. Jerry Bailey wins the Tampa Bay Derby aboard Zede for owner Allen Paulson and trainer William Mott. 1998 - A record is set for an all-time, single-day total handle on Jan. 16 when $3,155,905 is wagered on the Tampa Bay Downs signal ontrack, in-state and out-of-state. Tasso's Magic Roo sweeps the Pepsi Challenge Series and becomes only the second filly to do so since the series began in 1988. Will Farish's Parade Ground wins the 18th running of the Tampa Bay Derby, and Helen Alexander's Pantufla captures the Grade III Florida Oaks. The unveiling of the turf course on May 2, Kentucky Derby Day, draws a crowd of 8,669, the second largest in the track's history at the time. Ship Liner, owned by Phillip Williams, wins the inaugural running of the Tampa Bay Turf Handicap and Artz Racing Stable's Mercedes Song prevails over fillies and mares in the Tampa Bay Distaff Turf Handicap. Records are established during the 1997-1998 season for total handle, purses and simulcast outlets, making it the most successful meet in the track's 72-year history. 15 HISTORY 1999 - The conclusion of the 1998-99 racing meet once again sees gains over the previous season as Tampa Bay Downs enjoys the most successful season in the 73-year history of the track. The 91-day meet sees a rise in the average daily attendance and daily on-track handle, this during the third year of full-card simulcasting, with simulcasting revenue also leaping to an all-time high with an increase of 46%. Purses are additionally bolstered to record levels during the same period, luring top-quality horses and stables to compete. Track owner Stella F. Thayer is the first woman to be elected head of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations in the organization‘s 57-year history. 2000 - The Clubhouse is totally remodeled with fan comfort as the highest priority. Renovations include new central air conditioning and a newly refurbished elevator, plus paint, plush carpeting and luxury seating. The lower floor of the Clubhouse showcases a ―Sports Book‖ atmosphere, with 100 individual carrels complete with private TV monitors. A state-of-the-art sound system is installed throughout the entire Clubhouse and Grandstand areas. Once again new handle records are set and purses achieve all-time high levels. Secret Status, a 3-year-old filly owned by William S. Farish and partners, uses a Florida Oaks victory as a stepping stone to winning the Kentucky Oaks. A crowd of 6,381 attends March 4 to watch a National Steeplechase Association race, won by Red Classic and jockey Sean Clancy. 2001 - Tampa Bay Downs celebrates its 75th Anniversary season on Feb. 18, 2001, a day that highlights a meeting of record-breaking purse levels and an increase in average intra-state wagering on Tampa Bay Downs for the seventh consecutive year. A new single-day comingled handle record is achieved on Tampa Bay Derby Day, March 18, with $3,877,477 wagered on the Tampa signal. Peter Berube is named Vice President and General Manager on June 10, 2001. 2002 - The Tampa Bay Derby regains Grade III status. Various maintenance projects continue throughout the year, including a new Grandstand roof, repaved backstretch roads, and a remodeling of the General Office. Tampa Bay Downs concludes the meet with the handle on live races from all-sources averaging nearly $2.1 million per day. The track also posts record-breaking purses for the eighth consecutive year and eclipses an all-time record for a single day's handle on-track. In December, live racing was canceled on Opening Day due to street and parking-lot flooding caused by county drainage issues. 2003 - Tampa Bay Downs launches a state-of-the-art, first-of-its-kind Golf Practice and Wagering Facility. The 22 acres of fully lit property include 270 yards of open range, plus putting and short-game areas. The Downs Golf Clubhouse features a fully stocked Pro Shop, Snack Bar and wagering terminals, complete with TV monitors to catch all the action. The racing season concludes with purses at their highest level ($128,620 a day) and a new record for average all-sources live handle ($2,550,096). Tampa Bay Downs once again posts a new single day co-mingled record of $3,880,693, and Florida Cup Day debuts, offering six $75,000 stakes races on the one-day card. 2004 - Tampa Bay Downs enjoys an incredibly successful meet with track records set in 10 statistical categories, including double-digit increases in total live all-source handle (24% increase) and total attendance (11%). Tampa distributes a record $12,622,650 in purses ($135,727 per day), which leads to fields that average 9.4 starters per race, an all-time high for the Oldsmar oval. Horsemen also halter a record $2,418,250 worth of horses at the claims box. Track improvements include a permanent tent over the popular picnic area, a new seven-furlong chute, and the opening of The Silks Poker Room, the track‘s card room, an immediate hit with local poker enthusiasts. 2005 - Bucking national trends that have seen tracks across the nation experience declines in either handle, attendance, or both, Tampa Bay Downs concludes its 79th season by establishing 10 records in handle, attendance and purses. Increases include an all-time high attendance of 10,246 on Festival Day, which features Sun King winning the Grade III Tampa Bay Derby. Before the season starts, the track continues its expansion of and improvements to the track‘s highly popular picnic area; adds a new luxury suite called the Trackside Garden Suite; and adds daily Texas Hold ‗Em tournaments in the Silks Poker Room. Horsemen benefit from a handsome new winner‘s circle, a new outside rail, and a new receiving barn. 16 HISTORY 2006 - Explosive growth in on-track wagering, total handle and purse payouts, along with record-high attendance, highlight the track‘s 80th year of Thoroughbred racing. As they did in 2004-2005, bettors on-track and nationwide continue to embrace Tampa Bay Downs‘ full fields and improved racing quality on turf and dirt. Tampa Bay Downs receives the Large Business of the Year Award for 2006 from the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce on May 10, 2006. The award is based on community involvement and support, and pays tribute to the tremendous growth the facility has recently undergone. Local racing fans, treated to an average of 9.57 horses per race, send the on-track handle up nearly 7 percent to $30,192,981, the highest since 1991; and the daily average on-track handle of $321,202 is the highest since 1994. 2007 - Prior to the commencement of the 2006-2007 season, a Daktronics 16:9 ratio jumbo video board is installed in the infield, providing patrons with a state-of-the-art flat-screen monitor on which to view the live racing action. In front of a then recordhigh single-day crowd of 10,593, Street Sense wins the Grade III, $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby by a nose in track and stakes-record time of 1:43.11 for 1 1/16 miles. Festival Day also marks the track‘s largest co-mingled handle of $10,916,634 wagered. Tampa Bay Downs welcomes its largest crowd to date on May 5, 2007 when 11,014 fans cheer on Street Sense as he crosses the wire in front in the 133rd Kentucky Derby, becoming the first Tampa Bay Derby participant to win the Run for the Roses. Allison De Luca takes the reins as Racing Secretary, and the season ends with Tampa Bay Downs boasting record increases in total live-sources handle, purses paid, number of turf races offered, and total amount of horses claimed. Trainer Jamie Ness captures the first of his record nine (and counting) consecutive Tampa Bay Downs titles. 2008 - Tampa Bay Downs‘ 82nd season was highlighted by records set in both attendance and out-of-state wagering handle. On Festival Day, March 15, 2008, a record 12,746 fans arrived at the Oldsmar oval to witness Big Truck capture the Grade III Tampa Bay Derby. Tampa Bay Downs had three Eclipse award winners compete during the 2007-2008 meeting. Rosemary Homeister, Jr., who won the Outstanding Apprentice award in 1992, was a regular fixture in the jockeys‘ room at the Oldsmar oval, finishing the season as the second-leading rider overall. Dreaming of Anna, who was the Champion Juvenile Filly of 2006, swept both the Grade III Endeavour Breeders‘ Cup and the Grade III Hillsborough Stakes. War Pass, who was the 2007 Two-Year-Old Champion, competed in the Grade III Tampa Bay Derby. Jockey Daniel Centeno established a track record by riding 144 winners. Before the 2007-2008 race meet began, Tampa Bay Downs underwent several renovations, including the installlation of the Grandstand elevator and the introduction of the all-new Silks Poker Room, located on the third floor of the Grandstand. The Party Suite, adjacent to the Silks Poker Room, was also updated with new flat-screen TVs installed. The Legends Bar, which includes a museum-quality exhibition of famed Thoroughbred Seabiscuit, became the newest feature on the second floor of the Grandstand. Horsemen enjoyed improvements to the Paddock area, with all-new stalls in the saddling barn ensuring the safety and comfort of horses and their connections. Other facility upgrades at the Oldsmar oval include a refurbished Racing Office on the backstretch, as well as a renovated track kitchen. 2009 - Tampa Bay Downs saw horses graduated from its stakes program make up one-fourth of the Kentucky Derby field, with Grade III Tampa Bay Derby winner Musket Man placing third in the Run for the Roses. Prior to the opening of the 2009-2010 race meeting, Tampa Bay Downs renovated all tack rooms in the barn area and formed an alliance with Thoroughbred Retirement of Tampa, Inc., (TROT), a non-profit organization dedicated to re-homing the Oldsmar oval‘s equine athletes after their racing careers are over. The outset of the 2009-2010 race meeting saw a reduction in takeout for exacta, Pick-3, Pick-4, Super High-5 and Pick-6 wagering at the Oldsmar oval. 17 HISTORY 2010 - Tampa Bay Downs‘s 84th season of live racing saw its second Tampa Bay Derby graduate, Super Saver, win the Grade I Kentucky Derby. Other national performers competing at the Oldsmar oval in the 2009-2010 season include Grade I winners Dr. Zic and Karelian and dual Eclipse Award winner Gio Ponti, as well as Musket Man, Uptowncharlybrown, Rule, Schoolyard Dreams, Odysseus and Phola, among others. Despite a slumping economy, Tampa Bay Downs concluded the season with its comingled all-sources handle increasing by 1.8%, bucking national trends for wagering across the nation. The season also saw the implementation of the track‘s social media networks, with Tampa Bay Downs starting profiles on both Facebook and Twitter. Prior to the beginning of the 2009-2010 meet, Tampa Bay Downs officially affiliated itself with the Thoroughbred Retirement of Tampa, Inc., (TROT), a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to repurposing Tampa Bay Downs Thoroughbreds into show and pleasure horses as their careers on the racetrack ended. Additionally, the 2009-2010 season saw the arrival of Mouse, the Tampa Bay Downs mascot. Mouse, a 3-year-old miniature horse, was rescued by an affiliate of TROT and was rehabilitated by the staff of Tampa Bay Downs and quickly grew in popularity both locally and nationally. In July of 2010, Florida state legislation allowed for expanded hours and no-limit games in the Silks Poker Room. In the months following the 2009-10 meet, the Tampa Bay Derby received a purse boost to $350,000 and was awarded Grade II status; also, the Tampa Bay Stakes for older horses on the turf, formerly the Tampa Bay Breeders‘ Cup, was awarded a Grade III classification for the first time. Daniel Centeno won his fourth consecutive riding title with 133 victories, giving him 540 at the track over the past four campaigns. 2011 - The Oldsmar oval‘s 85th racing season ended with across-the-board increases for the track. Handle, attendance, claims, and field size all expanded from last season; additionally, the track saw the Tampa Bay Derby achieve Grade II status for the first time, as well as an expanded purse of $350,000. The Tampa Bay Stakes (formerly the Tampa Bay Breeders‘ Cup) was awarded Grade III status, also a first. Two track records were posted at Tampa Bay Downs this season. Sneaking Uponyou, ridden by Huber VillaGomez for owner/trainer Jamie Ness, raised the bar for the six-furlong main-track distance by covering the ground in 1:08.69 in April 9‘s Hilton Garden Inn Sprint on Florida Cup Day. Also on Florida Cup Day, Manicero captured the Ocala Breeders‘ Sales Sophomore Stakes in track record-setting fashion, traveling the seven panels over the main track in 1:22.13 for owner Leo Azpurua, Sr., and trainer Leo Azpurua, Jr., with Paco Lopez in the irons. Local trainers finished 1-2 in the Tampa Bay Derby, as the Kathleen O‘Connell-trained Watch Me Go edged Crimson Knight from the barn of Gerald Bennett. Luis Garcia rode the 43-1 shot Watch Me Go to victory. The Florida Oaks for 3-year-old fillies was run on turf for the first time, with Dynamic Holiday under jockey Ramon Dominguez winning for owner Augustin Stable and trainer H. Graham Motion. Ness and Bennett tied for the training title with 61 victories apiece. It was the fifth consecutive title for Ness, who tied O‘Connell the previous season with 51 victories. On the jockeys‘ side, Ronnie Allen Jr. claimed his fourth riding title at Tampa Bay Downs — and first since 1987-88 — with 109 victories, 30 more than runner-up Daniel Centeno. Average daily wagering handle during the 90-day meeting was a record $4,572,074, an increase of 9.2 percent from the previous season. The Tampa Bay Derby card attracted a record all-sources wagering handle of $10,949,948, of which $876,063 was wagered on track. Average daily attendance was 3,195. The 2011-2012 season features a Dec. 3 opening, the track‘s earliest ever. Tampa Bay Downs underwent a $1.5-million capital improvements project, highlighted by the introduction of Trakus, an electronic tracking system which displays the position and location of each horse at every point in a race. Other improvements included the addition of a CREE LED lighting system throughout the clubhouse and grandstand and a ―Cool Roof‖ coating system, the first steps in the track‘s goal to provide a ―net-zero impact‖ on the environment. 18 HISTORY 2012 - Spectacular on-track accomplishments highlighted a season in which Tampa Bay Downs was again the fourthmost popular winter simulcast signal in the country. Eight track records were set – four apiece on both the main dirt surface and the turf track. It‘s Me Mom, a 4-year-old filly owned by area residents Thomas and Jean Bosch, was the equine star of the meeting, winning three of her four starts, including the Minaret Stakes and the Florida Cup Hilton Garden Inn Sprint. In the latter, she set a six-furlong track record of 1:08.67. Jamie Ness won his sixth consecutive training title, saddling a record 79 winners. His horses earned $875,384 and he tied a track record by saddling four winners Jan. 19. Ness trained exclusively for Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc., which captured a third consecutive owners‘ title for Richard and Karen Papiese with 79 victories. Leandro Goncalves was the leading jockey for the first time with 88 victories, eight more than defending champion Ronnie Allen, Jr. Goncalves rode his 1,000th career winner Dec. 28. The top apprentice jockey was Erik Barbaran, who rode 27 winners. Veteran rider Scott Spieth joined the 4,000-victory club April 6 aboard 4-year-old filly Ula. Owner John C. Oxley‘s 3-yearold colt Prospective won the 32nd running of the Grade II, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby in 1:43.35, the secondfastest renewal ever. The Tampa Bay Derby drew a season-high crowd of 9,247 and total wagering of $9,183,788. Zagora, a 5-year-old mare owned by Martin Schwartz, won both of the track‘s graded stakes for older fillies and mares on the turf, the Endeavour and the Hillsborough. Zagora set a track record of 1:46.97 in the mile-and-an-eighth Hillsborough and went on to win the Breeders‘ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita. Other Tampa Bay Downs participants to experience Breeders‘ Cup glory were Challenger Stakes winner Fort Larned, who won the Classic; trainer William Bradley, who captured the Filly and Mare Sprint with Groupie Doll; and past leading jockey Willie Martinez, who won the Sprint with Trinniberg. A new mile-and-a-sixteenth turf record of 1:40.95 was set by Lentenor, a full brother to 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro. Tampa Bay Downs introduced Trakus, an electronic system which displays the position and location on the track of each horse during a race and provides handicappers with a wealth of valuable information. Prior to the start of the meeting, the track installed a CREE LED lighting system throughout the clubhouse and grandstand and a Gaco Sil S-20 ―Cool Roof‖ coating system as part of an ongoing green initiative. Average daily purses paid increased from $160,944 to $162,320. Average field size decreased from 9.11 to 8.54 runners, mirroring a nationwide trend. 19 HISTORY 2013 - Numerous firsts enhanced Tampa Bay Downs‘ reputation as a major player on the winter-spring Thoroughbred racing scene during its 87th season. For the first time, the top three finishers in the Grade II, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby — Verrazano, Java‘s War and Falling Sky — competed in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Verrazano also won the Grade I Wood Memorial and Grade I Haskell Invitational and Java‘s War captured the Grade I Toyota Blue Grass). Tampa Bay Downs staged three graded stakes on a single card for the first time on Feb. 2 after the then-$150,000 Florida Oaks, a turf race for 3-year-old fillies, was awarded Grade III status by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. In addition to the Oaks, the Festival Preview Day program included the Grade III, $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes for 3-year-olds and the Grade III, $150,000 Endeavour Stakes on the turf for older fillies and mares. Jockey Daniel Centeno won his fifth title, riding 90 winners, and Jamie Ness was the first trainer to capture seven consecutive crowns, saddling 46 winners. Two-time Eclipse Award finalist Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc., also with 46 winners, won its fourth consecutive owners‘ title (Ness trained exclusively for Midwest). The leading apprentice was 20year-old Ricardo Mejias from Puerto Rico. For the second straight year, Tampa Bay Downs conducted 25 stakes worth $2.6-million in purse money, highlighted by the Tampa Bay Derby on Festival Day, March 9. The 33rd renewal drew a crowd of 10,476, the fifth-largest in track history; total all-sources handle of $10,291,827.76 was the fourth-highest ever. Verrazano‘s jockey, Hall of Fame member John Velazquez, rode five winners on the Festival Day card, tying six other jockeys for the second-most in track history. Tampa Bay Downs reached an agreement with TVG, America‘s Horseracing Network, to broadcast the meeting, spreading the track‘s signal to countless new viewers. In addition to Verrazano‘s victory, trainer Todd Pletcher scored two additional graded-stakes triumphs with his 5-year-old mare Old Tune, who won the Endeavour and the Grade III, $150,000 Hillsborough on the turf, both times under Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Joel Rosario. The rider was also aboard Florida Oaks winner Tapicat for Hall of Fame trainer William Mott. Combining to win two of the track‘s six graded stakes were trainer John Terranova II and jockey Jose Espinoza, who won the Sam F. Davis with Falling Sky and the Grade III, $150,000 Tampa Bay Stakes with Swift Warrior. The 11th annual Florida Cup Day on April 6 attracted many top Florida-breds, with James and Nannette McCullough‘s 4-year-old gelding Wild About Chrome remaining unbeaten (5-for-5) in the Hilton Garden Inn/Hampton Inn & Suites Sprint. In winning the Super Stakes on Feb. 23, Thomas Shank and Stan Young‘s 6-year-old gelding Good Lord set a seven-furlong track record of 1:22.03. Phase Two of the track‘s ongoing green initiative continued to gain momentum with the introduction of a state-ofthe-art geothermal HVAC system designed to save energy and costs while requiring almost no maintenance. The water and energy-saving system uses the constant below-ground temperature of soil or water to cool homes, commercial buildings and public facilities. On Feb. 16, the track held the ―Walk for Roz‖ to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure fight against breast cancer in memory of former Association Veterinarian Rosalyn Randall. 20 HISTORY 2014 - The 88th anniversary season of Thoroughbred racing officially began July 1, 2013, the second day of Tampa Bay Downs‘ inaugural Summer Festival of Racing. The Summer Festival was begun to enable Tampa Bay Downs to control its simulcast income by becoming a year-round live-racing facility. By the time the horses returned for the December restart, horsemen and fans observed a new look on the first floor of the grandstand. The enhancements included the Riders Up! Pub, featuring a variety of craft and domestic beers and liquor, and the Metro Deli, offering pizza, Cuban sandwiches, roast beef, ham, corned beef and turkey. On the racing front, a record $2,695,000 was paid out in stakes purses. The purse for the Grade III Florida Oaks for 3-year-old fillies on turf was increased $50,000 to $200,000; the race joined the Grade II, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby and the Grade III, $150,000 Hillsborough Stakes on turf on the annual Festival Day card. Increases of $25,000 for the Turf Sprint and Lightning City Stakes, from $75,000 to $100,000, gave Tampa Bay Downs a record 11 races worth six figures. Jamie Ness won his record eighth consecutive training title by sending out 53 winners. The late Don Rice is the only other conditioner to win eight titles, but they were not consecutive. Antonio Gallardo, a native of Spain, won his first jockeys title by riding 124 winners and surviving a ding-dong battle with four-time leading jockey Ronnie Allen, Jr. Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc., the ownership group of Rich and Karen Papiese, captured its fifth consecutive owners title with 45 victories. Track officials established the Tampa Bay Downs Million Dollar Derby Bonus, with $1-million to be awarded to the owners of any horse winning the Grade III, $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes, the Grade II, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby and the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands. Vinceremos — owned by WinStar Farm and Twin Creeks Racing Stables — won the Davis and finished second to Ring Weekend in the Tampa Bay Derby before fading to 17th in the Kentucky Derby. Additionally, a fan who picked Vinceremos in the Davis was given an opportunity to win a $100,000 bonus. The Tampa Bay Derby winner, Ring Weekend, is owned by St. Elias Stable and West Point Thoroughbreds, trained by H. Graham Motion and was ridden by Daniel Centeno. In tandem with Equus Technology Group, Tampa Bay Downs instituted the Live It Up Challenge handicapping contest, won by Glenn Wilson of nearby Westchase. Wilson was the only player to stay alive through the duration of the event; he won $1,500 and a seat at the 2015 Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred Racing Association National Handicapping Championship in January in Las Vegas. On March 29, Tampa Bay Downs played host to the first Jockeys and Jeans barbecue luncheon to benefit the Permanently Disabled Riders Fund. Among those who attended were seven-time Tampa Bay Downs leading jockey Mike Manganello; Hall of Famers Pat Day, Walter Blum, Jacinto Vasquez and Bill Boland; Ramon Dominguez; Dr. Eddie Donnally; early female pioneers Barbara Jo Rubin, Diane Crump and Mary Russ; and disabled former riders Eibar Coa, William Klinke, Julia Brimo, Jose Diaz and Michael Straight. On Feb. 21, in what is believed to be a first, brothers Fernando, Walter and Juan De La Cruz all rode winners on a single card. L.J. McKanas, a trainer competing at Tampa Bay Downs for the first time, delighted race goers by appearing as a contestant on the CBS reality show Survivor. Announcer Richard Grunder marked his 30th season at Tampa Bay Downs. 21 HI 2015 - As part of its ongoing capital improvements initiative, Tampa Bay Downs unveiled a bright, redesigned circular driveway entrance in front of the Grandstand. Featuring tree-lined pathways, garden landscaping, enhanced lighting, benches and automatic sliding doors, it signaled a friendly ―welcome back‖ to all when the 89th anniversary meeting resumed Nov. 29. The racing action was fast and furious from the outset, as jockey Antonio Gallardo rode five winners on the first stakes Saturday of the season and 2-year-old Catalina Red set a stakes record of 1:09.32 in the six-furlong Inaugural Stakes. Gallardo‘s success would be a recurrent theme throughout: The native of Cadiz, Spain rode five winners again on Dec. 31 and finished the meeting with 147 winners to set a new track record and win his second consecutive title. Gallardo was joined at the top by trainer Jamie Ness, who captured an unprecedented ninth consecutive Oldsmar crown with 46 victories. The Ness-trained 6-year-old gelding Brother Pat became the first horse to sweep all four legs of the Tampa Turf Test starter handicap series, never trailing at a single point of call in any of his victories. Trainer Todd Pletcher won the Tampa Bay Derby for the third time, capturing the Grade II, $350,000 showcase with Carpe Diem. The colt is owned in partnership by Stonestreet Stables, which also owns Ocean Knight, winner of the Grade III, $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes. The 35th renewal of the Tampa Bay Derby headlined a March 7 Festival Day program that included the Grade III, $200,000 Florida Oaks, the Grade III, $150,000 Hillsborough Stakes and the $60,000 Challenger Stakes, making it the richest day in track history. A crowd of 10,379, the 10th largest in track history, watched Carpe Diem and fellow Tampa Bay Derby participant Danzig Moon compete in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands via simulcast on May 2. The outstanding stakes program at Tampa Bay Downs produced several record-breaking performances. Trainer Chad Stewart‘s Catalina Red set a stakes and track record in winning the Dec. 27 Pasco Stakes for 2-year-olds, speeding home seven furlongs in 1:21.40 under jockey Daniel Centeno. That same day, 2 -year-old filly Irish Jasper set a stakes mark of 1:22.41 in the Gasparilla Stakes for trainer Derek Ryan. Bold Thunder established a course and stakes record of 54.63 in the five-furlong Turf Dash, the fifth victory in the race for Centeno. Evidently, a 4-year-old filly trained by Roy Lerman, set a stakes mark in the Florida Cup Pleasant Acres Stallions Distaff Turf of 1:40.93 for a mile-and-a-sixteenth. The 4-year-old gelding Special Envoy set a mileand-an-eighth turf course record of 1:46.55 on March 18. On March 28, trainer Gerald Bennett saddled career winner No. 3,500, the 3-year-old filly Once More for Love. New York native Andrew Demsky was named host for the track‘s ―Paddock Preview‖ show, taking over from Vice President of Marketing & Publicity Margo Flynn, who continued in her executive role while shifting her focus to other responsibilities. On Dec. 15, seven members of the Tampa Bay Downs jockey colony traveled to All Children‘s Hospital in St. Petersburg to visit children with potentially life-limiting diseases. The group included Ronnie Allen, Jr.; Dean Butler; Janelle Campbell; Daniel Centeno; Keiber Coa; Antonio Gallardo; and Pablo Morales. Tampa Bay Downs purchased the Tampa Greyhound Track in January. Major League Baseball fans — specifically, New York Yankees rooters — cashed in when horses named Mecke Mantle and Yogi Berra both won on the Dec. 21 card. The Downs Golf Practice Facility was recognized by the Golf Range Association of America as one of the nation‘s top-50 ranges. Joseph Ricciardi of 22 New Port Richey, Fla., won a top prize of $500,000 playing the JACKPOT scratch-off game on the first floor of the grandstand. The Vietnam War veteran is a regular in The Silks Poker Room. TAMPA BAY DOWNS LOGOS The above logos are the only official marks of Tampa Bay Downs. To gain permission for usage, please call 813.855.4401, ext. 1368. 23 TAMPA BAY DOWNS LOGOS The above logos are the only official marks of Tampa Bay Downs. To gain permission for usage, please call 813.855.4401, ext. 1368. 24 JOCKEY PROFILES Jockey Pedro Cotto, Jr., expresses gratitude to his mount after a winning performance. 25 JOCKEY PROFILES - LEADING JOCKEYS YEAR JOCKEY WINS YEAR JOCKEY WINS 2014-2015 Antonio Gallardo 147* 1996-1997 William Henry 78 2013-2014 Antonio Gallardo 124 1995-1996 Jorge Guerra 97 2012-2013 Daniel Centeno 90 1994-1995 William Henry 93 1993-1994 William Henry 97 1992-1993 William Henry 123 1991-1992 Willie Martinez 123 2011-2012 Leandro Goncalves 88 2010-2011 Ronnie Allen, Jr. 109 2009-2010 Daniel Centeno 133 2008-2009 Daniel Centeno 138 2007-2008 Daniel Centeno 144 1990-1991 Ricardo Lopez 106 2006-2007 Daniel Centeno 125 1989-1990 Ricardo Lopez 92 2005-2006 Jose Lezcano 92 1988-1989 Ricardo Lopez 114 2004-2005 Jesus Castanon 101 1987-1988 Ronnie Allen, Jr. 102 2003-2004 Jesus Castanon 87 1986-1987 Ronnie Allen, Jr. 76 2002-2003 Joe Judice 117 1985-1986 Richard DePass 61 2001-2002 Manoel Cruz 91 1984-1985 Ronnie Allen, Jr. 54 2000-2001 Derek Bell 93 1999-2000 T.D. Houghton 80 1983-1984 Rick Luhr 62 1998-1999 T.D. Houghton 81 1997-1998 Jesse Garcia 63 1982-1983 Heriberto Rivera, Jr. 70 1981-1982 Heriberto Rivera, Jr. 74 1980-1981 67 Benny Feliciano 26 *Tampa Bay Downs Record JOCKEY PROFILES Mike Allen Born: August 9,1967 Birthplace: Detroit, MI Residence: Oldsmar, FL Family: Wife, Lisa; daughter, Alexis; sons, Garrett and Connor First Win: More Crafty, Tampa Bay Downs, 1986 Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Presque Isle Downs Last spring, Allen got on a hot streak that saw him win 21.2 with percent of his mounts, with an average winning payoff of $28.60, that led to him being named the Hampton Inn & Suites Jockey of the Month. It was a welcome breakthrough for Allen, who has often ridden in the shadow of his older brother, Ronnie Allen, Jr. One of Allen‘s top moments at Tampa Bay Downs came in the 2006 Budweiser Challenger Stakes. Riding the 6year-old gelding Cherokee Prince for his father, trainer Ronald Allen, Sr., the younger Allen piloted the Kentucky-bred to a 6 3/4-lrength, wire-towire victory at odds of 29-1. Allen was aboard later that year when Cherokee Prince won the Labor Day Stakes at Mountaineer. Mike finished 14th this summer at Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pa., with 19 victories and began the current Oldsmar meeting with 1,915 for his career. He broke his left foot in a starting gate accident in August, curtailing a successful summer, but began the current meeting at full strength. A top rider in Washington state from 1992-99 and at Prairie Meadows in Iowa from 2003-07, he rode more than 100 winners every year from 1993-96 and again in 2006 and 2007. He won the Grade III Budweiser Mile Handicap (formerly the Longacres Mile) at Yakima Meadows in 1995 on L J Express. In 2007, Allen celebrated career victory No. 1,500 at Tampa Bay Downs with friends and family in attendance. Ronnie Allen, Jr. Born: April 24, 1964 Birthplace: East Liverpool, Ohio Residence: Oldsmar, FL Family: Son, Christopher; brothers, Mike and Kevin; sister, Kimberly First Win: H.‘s Shady Lady, Detroit Race Course Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Presque Isle Downs, Keeneland The jockey nicknamed ―Rock and Roll‖ had another outstanding season during the 2014-2015 Oldsmar meeting, riding 38 winners to finish fifth in the standings, and followed up at Presque Isle Downs by riding 52 winners to place sixth. A four-time Tampa Bay Downs riding champion, Allen achieved a career milestone in 2013 at Presque Isle when he posted victory No. 3,000 on Ghost Flower, a 3-year-old filly trained by his fiancée, Maria Bowersock. Allen has won more than 80 stakes, including the 1993 Tampa Bay Derby and Sam F. Davis Breeders‘ Cup Stakes aboard Marco Bay. He rode Sport Jet in the 1985 Preakness. His brother Mike is also a jockey, and their father, Ronald Allen, Sr., has saddled more than 1,400 winners over a 38-year career, winning the Grade II Alcibiades Stakes in 1994 with Post It. In the 1980s, young Ronnie was a major force in the Tampa Bay Downs jockey colony. So it was especially rewarding in 2010-11 when he won his fourth Tampa Bay Downs riding title with109 wins, 23 years after he was last on top. During the 2013-14 Oldsmar meeting, he rode 110 winners, second in the standings. In 2012-13 at Tampa Bay Downs, Allen finished third with 57 victories despite a late-season spill in which he suffered fractured ribs, a punctured lung, a lacerated liver and abrasions on his head. When he‘s not in the irons, Ronnie plays golf or takes it easy, relishing the peace that comes from knowing hard work and dedication to his craft are their own best rewards. His agent is a former Tampa Bay Downs jockey, Paula Bacon. 27 JOCKEY PROFILES Dean Butler Born: March 21, 1971 Birthplace: Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Residence: Oldsmar, FL Family: Daughters, Kayleigh and Kendall First Win: Rexson‘s Express, Suffolk Downs, 1993 Started Riding: 1992, Aqueduct Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Canterbury Park Butler had a typically outstanding summer at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn., finishing second in the standings with 75 victories, and enters the Tampa Bay Downs season having ridden 1,971 career winners. He led the Canterbury track colony in purse earnings for the second consecutive season, as his mounts won a track-record $1,719,247. Butler rode five winners on the Opening Night card at Canterbury, including a victory on Bourbon County in the 10,000 Lakes Stakes for trainer Bernell Rhone. Known as ―Dino,‖ Butler has won Canterbury‘s riding title four of the past seven seasons. Butler began his career in 1992 at Aqueduct after learning the game from the ground up from Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg, conditioner of the great Alysheba and Preakness winner Gate Dancer. After apprenticing under Van Berg on his Ghent, N.Y., farm and in southern California, Butler won his first race in 1993 at Suffolk, then moved to Philadelphia (now PARX Racing), where he won four track titles. One of Butler‘s biggest scores came in the 2011 Remington Park Oaks aboard 25-1 shot Tourmaline for trainer Rhone. Butler and Rhone have proven a tough combination to beat at both Tampa Bay Downs and Canterbury. During the 2014-2015 Oldsmar season, Butler tfinished ninth in the standings with 26 victories. Butler rode the prominent gelding Poor But Honest, who finished second to the great Cigar and jockey Jerry Bailey in the 1995 Massachusetts Handicap. Poor But Honest and Butler won a pair of Grade III stakes that year and finished second in the Grade I Philip H. Iselin at Monmouth and the Grade I Meadowlands Cup. Butler enjoys spending time with his two girls, 8-year-old Kayleigh and 4-year-old Kendall, in his spare time. Janelle Campbell Born: Sept. 11, 1984 Birthplace: Newburyport, Mass. Residence: Amesbury, Mass. Family: Father, Robert Campbell; mother, Andrea Campbell; grandfather, Robert Campbell; sister, Tiffany; brother, Robert; aunt, Tammi Piermarini; fiancé, Luis A. Garcia First Win: Primal Humor, Suffolk Downs, 2013 Started Riding: 2012, Suffolk Downs Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Delaware Park, Mahoning Valley, ThistleDown, Monmouth, Penn National It‘s been said that Janelle Campbell‘s smile can brighten a darkened dungeon. And she did her best to cheer up her fan base last season by riding a string of improbable long-shot winners en route to becoming the track‘s second-leading apprentice. Her first five winners of the 2014-2015 meeting produced an average $2 win payoff of $61. Campbell, who rode at Suffolk Downs in Massachusetts for four years, acquired her love of horses from her late grandmother Suzanne Campbell, who owned Thoroughbreds and show horses. The red-haired Campbell is the niece of accomplished jockey Tammi Piermarini and absorbed a wealth of knowledge watching her over the years. About once each year, Campbell cuts off her hair and donates it to Wigs for Kids, an organization that supports children who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy, radiation treatments, Alopecia, burns and other medical issues. She owns the 9-year-old gelding Primal Humor, the first horse she won on, keeping him on a farm in Ocala, Fla. Among the trainers Campbell rides for is John Pimental, whose wife, Diana Pimental, is a Tampa Bay Downs Association official. 28 JOCKEY PROFILES Daniel Centeno Born: December 18, 1971 Birthplace: Caracas, Venezuela Residence: Tampa, FL Family: Fiancee, Ashley George; son, Daniel; daughter, Jazmyn First Win: Big Jack, Venezuela, 1990 Started Riding: 1990 (Venezuela), 2003 (Ohio) Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Delaware Park, Laurel Park First and foremost, Daniel Centeno is a student of the sport. His attention to detail — working horses each morning, studying past performances and watching replays — has kept him atop the Tampa Bay Downs jockey colony for much of the past nine seasons. In 2014, Centeno won the Grade II Tampa Bay Derby for the second time aboard Ring Weekend for trainer H. Graham Motion. That summer, he notched his 2,000th victory in the United States at Parx Racing on 4-yearold gelding Forest Rim for owner George Strawbridge and trainer Jonathan Sheppard. Centeno won his fifth TBD riding title during the 2012-13 season with 90 victories, and he won 90 again last season to finish second to Antonio Gallardo. He followed up that success by riding 30 winners at Delaware Park to finish eighth in the standings. He began the current meeting with more than 2,200 career victories, including eight graded-stakes scores. ―Daniel has the ability to put a horse in the right spot and rides a smart race,‖ said perennial leading trainer Jamie Ness. ―He is very good as a front-end rider, but he is also a very strong finisher.‖ From 2006-10, Centeno strung together four consecutive TBD riding crowns while averaging 1.48 winners per performance. During the 2007-2008 season, he booted home a record-setting 144 (since bettered), including six stakes victories. That year he amassed $2,145,528 in purses, setting a track record. In 2009, Centeno won the Tampa Bay Derby on Musket Man. Centeno began race riding in Venezuela in 1990, assembling a successful 14-year career that eventually took him to the United States to stay in 2003 (he had ridden briefly at Calder in 1996). Centeno cites his major influences as fellow jockeys Eibar Coa and Ramon Dominguez. With more than $42 million in purse earnings, Centeno is himself a professional worth emulating. He won last season‘s Pasco Stakes on Catalina Red in track-record time of 1:21.40 for seven furlongs. Centeno won this year‘s $350,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash on Gentlemen‘s Bet. Keiber J. Coa Born: October 30, 1992 Birthplace: Caracas, Venezuela Residence: Davie, FL Family: Father, Eibar Coa; mother, Kathy Sarabia; sisters, Kleibany and Sienna First Win: Five Star Cruise, Santa Anita, 2012 Started Riding: Gulfstream Park, 2011 Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Delaware Park, Monmouth Park Coa reached a crossroads in February of 2011 when his father, Breeders‘ Cup-winning jockey Eibar Coa, was seriously injured in a riding accident at Gulfstream Park. Keiber had just enrolled in the Laffit Pincay Jockey School in Panama City, and the teenager suddenly had to fly home to be with his father. Although the elder Coa has not returned to riding, Keiber made the decision to follow in his father‘s footsteps and devote himself to a career as a jockey. Now his father, who has made nearly a full recovery from his injuries, supports Keiber in his quest to make a name for himself. Keiber grew up playing baseball and basketball, but he began working intensely with his father on becoming a jockey in 2010, the same year Eibar Coa won the Breeders‘ Cup Sprint at Churchill Downs on Big Drama. Keiber earned his first stakes victory in July at Delaware in the CRE Run Oaks Arabian Distaff on RB FRYNCH BROAD. Keiber incurred a hairline fracture of his pelvis on the final day of the Delaware Park summer meeting when a horse reared and landed on him, but chances are it will not be long before he is back winning races. 29 JOCKEY PROFILES Fernando De La Cruz Born: June 24, 1986 Birthplace: Huancavelica, Peru Residence: Greenfield, Indiana Family: Wife, Rosa; son, Brian; daughter, Norma First Win: Santelmo, Hipodromo de Monterrico, Peru Started Riding: 2006 Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Indiana Grand De La Cruz has surpassed the $3-million mark in purse earnings for the fifth consecutive year in 2015 while finishing third in the Oldsmar standings with 60 victories and second at Indiana Grand with 97 trips to the winner‘s circle. No one in the riding De La Cruz family will forget the afternoon of Feb. 21, 2014 at Tampa Bay Downs. After watching his brothers, Juan and Walter, win races earlier on the card, Fernando completed the unique trifecta aboard 5 -year-old gelding Rocky Gap. It is believed to be the only time three brothers have won races on a single card in Thoroughbred history. The 2013-14 meeting was memorable for De La Cruz for other reasons as well. He rode his 1,000th career winner aboard Jungle Princess for trainer Jamie Ness and captured the $100,000 Sandpiper Stakes on My Sweet Dove for Monte Thomas. He missed several weeks after fracturing a bone in his arm early in the meeting, but returned in time to climb to fourth in the standings with 66 victories. Healthy for that summer, De La Cruz ran away with the jockeys‘ crown at Indiana Grand, riding 129 winners. During the 2012-13 TBD meeting, De La Cruz started heating up around the time his daughter Norma was born on Feb. 4. Less than three weeks later, he won the $75,000 Super Stakes aboard 6-year-old gelding Good Lord in track-record time of 1:22.03 for seven furlongs. His stakes success continued in last season‘s Wayward Lass Stakes for owners Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey and trainer Michael Maker aboard Awesome Flower, whose victory resulted in a stakes record. Fernando is one of eight children. Ricardo Feliciano Born: August 4, 1976 Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio Residence: Cleveland and Tampa, FL Family: Wife, Lady; sons, Benny and Armani First Win: Clever Express, Mountaineer Park, 1997 Started Riding: 1997, ThistleDown Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Presque Isle Downs, ThistleDown Since beginning his career in 1997, Feliciano has been a model of consistency. As he nears his 20th year in the irons, he is on the verge of 2,000 career victories while averaging more than 110 victories over the last eight years. It seems as if Feliciano was born to ride. His father Benny Feliciano was the leading jockey at Tampa Bay Downs during the 1980-81 meeting and is currently training. Ricardo‘s uncle Miguel Feliciano is also a successful trainer, primarily in Ohio, and has saddled almost 1,400 winners. Ricardo rode his first race when he was 11 at Classic Mile in Ocala, Fla., describing it as ―part of a country day at the races.‖ He grew up around ThistleDown outside Cleveland, and says of his early years around the oval, ―I was fascinated by it. I went a lot when I was really young, and then I went back when I was about 15 or 16 and I carried on. I started galloping horses in the morning, and then I was a (jockey‘s) valet for three years. After that, I got my license and started riding.‖ First, though, his father required him to complete his education, although he was allowed to gallop horses. Among the top horses he has ridden is the venerable mare Pay the Man, an Ohio-bred trained by his uncle Miguel.30 She won more than $1-million and 21 stakes, the majority with Ricardo in the irons. He won 24 races at Presque Isle Downs last summer, good for 12th in the standings, and was fifth at ThistleDown with 57 victories. JOCKEY PROFILES Jose C. Ferrer Born: March 31, 1964 Birthplace: Santurce, Puerto Rico Residence: Tampa, FL Family: Wife, Steffi; sons, Derek Gregory and Joseph First Win: Meadowlands, 1983 Started Riding: Monmouth Park, 1982 Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Monmouth Park, Meadowlands, Delaware Park, Parx Racing Ferrer is approaching the 4,000-victory mark as the 2015-2016 meeting gets underway and has built an enviable record since arriving on the scene in 1982. He enters the season with 26 graded-stakes victories, none bigger than the Grade I Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga in 2000 on Stormy Pick. The victory aboard the Ben Perkins, Jr.-trained 2-year-old filly came a week after Ferrer had won the Grade II, $350,000 Iselin Handicap at Monmouth on Rize. Ferrer prides himself on staying in top condition, crediting his exercise regimen with helping him successfully compete against jockeys half his age. Ferrer began his U.S. riding career at Calder Race Course in Miami before heading north to New Jersey. Later that year, he became the first jockey to win five races on a single card at Meadowlands. Ferrer was the leading jockey this year at the month-long Meadowlands meeting with eight victories and placed sixth at Monmouth Park with 41 winners. ―I‘m naturally pretty light, and that helps a lot,‖ said Ferrer, who also credits his family and his faith for keeping him strong. Luis Figueroa Born: May 27, 1995 Birthplace: Toa Baja, Puerto Rico Residence: Miami, FL Family: Father, Luis; mother, Wanda; sister, Aidaliz; brother, Heriberto First Win: Camarero, 2014 Started Riding: Camarero, 2014 Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Park Figueroa‘s father, Luis Figueroa, Sr., left his job in Puerto Rico as a truck driver to join Luis on the Oldsmar backside a month into last season, taking a job as a hotwalker for trainer Victor Carrasco, Jr. As time went on, the younger Figueroa showed he has what it takes to thrive at his chosen profession. Despite a relatively slow start, he finished the 2014-2015 meeting with 17 victories to capture top apprentice honors. Figueroa clinched the title by riding three winners on the May 3 card and finished five victories ahead of runner-up apprentice Janelle Campbell. ―I‘m proud of what he‘s done, and I know he can do well wherever he goes because he is focused on his job,‖ Figueroa, Sr., said during the latter stages of the meeting. Although he has since lost the apprentice weight allowance, Figueroa has the skill and confidence to continue proving himself capable. 31 JOCKEY PROFILES Antonio A. Gallardo Born: July 18, 1987 Birthplace: Jerez de la Frontera, Cadiz, Spain Residence: Tampa, FL Family: Wife, Polliana; son, Carlos; daughter, Christa Started Riding: Costa del Sol, Malaga, Spain First winner: Teifani, Costa del Sol Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Presque Isle Downs, Gulfstream Park West On the eve of the 2015-2016 Tampa Bay Downs season, Gallardo was second in North America in victories to two-time reigning Eclipse Award champion Javier Castellano. Trainer Kathleen O‘Connell might have said it best after Gallardo set the Tampa Bay Downs single-season victory record aboard her 5-year-old gelding Silver Halo at the tail end of the 2014-2015 meeting. ―He‘s relentless in his work ethic. I don‘t care if there is one horse to breeze, he comes out for whoever‘s horse it is,‖ O‘Connell said. ―He is very astute at studying horses and films, and he is just a wonderful person to work with.‖ Gallardo finished the meeting with 147 victories for his second consecutive Downs title, then rode 161 winners to repeat as Presque Isle Downs track champion. Gallardo rode five winners on a single card twice last December, serving notice he intended to be the top rider in town, and simply never slowed. Gallardo emerged as a force to be reckoned with at Calder Race Course on Aug. 24, 2013 by winning four consecutive stakes, the last three for O‘Connell. Gallardo‘s first victory came in the Lindsay Frolic Stakes for 2-year-old fillies on Flat Out Charming. He and O‘Connell then teamed to capture the Catcharisingstar Stakes with sophomore filly Secret Kitten; the Florida Stallion Susan‘s Girl Stakes with 2-year-old filly Scandalous Act; and the Florida Stallion Affirmed Stakes with My Brown Eyed Guy. Gallardo‘s breakthrough victory at Tampa Bay Downs came three years ago in the Challenger Stakes on 14-1 shot Flatter This for O‘Connell and owner Blackacre Farms, Inc.. Geovany Garcia Born: November 4, 1988 Birthplace: Carolina, Puerto Rico Residence: Family: Wife, Kat Zwiesler Started Riding: 2007, Laurel Park First Winner: Westside Lady, 2007, Laurel Park Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Belterra Park, Laurel Park The younger brother of jockey Luis Garcia made a major impact at the Oldsmar oval last season. Riding first call for trainer Joe Woodard, Garcia rode 12 winners, including the 7-year-old Florida-bred Star Harbour in the Pelican Stakes. Garcia has surpassed the 100-victory mark in 2015 for the second time in his career. He finished second in the standings at Belterra Park last summer, riding 96 winners while finishing in the money on 53 percent of his mounts. Garcia was only 20 years old when he scored his biggest victory, winning the Grade II Barbara Fritchie Handicap at Laurel Park in 2009 aboard 10-1 shot Royale Michele. Garcia rode his first winner a few months after his 18th birthday. He is married to Kat Zwiesler, whose father, Michael Zwiesler, trained horses at Tampa Bay Downs for William S. Farish III. 32 JOCKEY PROFILES Jose Angel Garcia Born: December 8, 1986 Birthplace: Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico Residence: Hudson, FL Family: Wife, Delmaris; daughter, Emily Started Riding: Camarero, 2008 First winner: Camarero, 2008 Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Presque Isle Downs, Woodbine, Belterra Park Garcia began his career like many jockeys from Puerto Rico, working as an exercise rider at the racetrack in his hometown of Canovanas. He graduated from jockey school at 18 while studying the style of his mentor, Carlos Pizarro. Watching Pizarro become one of the top jockeys in Puerto Rico inspired Garcia to give up his job as an electrician and move to south Florida with his childhood sweetheart and wife, Delmaris, to become a jockey himself. Tragically, Pizarro died six years later from injuries suffered in a freak training accident, but Garcia has not lost sight of the lessons he imparted. Jose and Delmaris married when they were both 19 and is well-versed in the demands of the profession. The day after he won the Maryland Million Ladies Stakes at Laurel aboard Monster Sleeping in 2013, they drove 17 hours with 3-year-old Emily to ride a horse at Calder in Miami the next day. Many trainers appreciate Garcia‘s ability to impart valuable insights about their horses. ―You need that with young horses and horses that are still green,‖ said Sandra Adkins, the Tampa Bay Downs assistant to Gerry Aschinger. ―Jose is consistent, and if he‘s getting on a good horse, he‘ll give you a good ride.‖ Rosemary Homeister, Jr. Born: July 5, 1972 Birthplace: Hollywood, FL Residence: Streamwood, Illinois Family: Daughter, Victoria Rose; mother, Rosemary Homeister, Sr.; stepfather, Frankie Inserra Started Riding: Calder Race Course, 1992 First winner: Mezzanotti, Calder Race Course, 1992 Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Arlington International, Hawthorne The daughter of south Florida trainer Rosemary Homeister, Sr., who announced she is taking a leave of absence to start a career as a personal trainer and nutritional consultant, has provided her legion of fans with countless thrills and successes en route to compiling more almost 2,800 victories, second only to Julie Krone among female jockeys in the sport‘s history. The younger Homeister won an Eclipse Award in 1992 as the top apprentice jockey in North America, winning 172 races. She joined the exclusive club of women jockeys to ride in the Kentucky Derby in 2003, finishing 13th on Supah Blitz. In 2009 at Santa Anita, she rode Cloudy‘s Knight to a second-place finish in the Breeders‘ Cup Marathon for Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard; two starts later, Cloudy‘s Knight and Homeister won the Grade II W.L. McKnight Handicap at Calder. Homeister won 204 races that year, with purse earnings of more than $4-million. Homeister, who stopped riding for 10 months when her daughter, Victoria Rose, was born on Aug. 21, 2011, won last year‘s Suncoast Stakes in Oldsmar on 3-year-old filly Include Betty at odds of 18-1, then repeated on her at the same odds in the Grade III Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn. Homeister won the Grade I Clasico Internacional del Caribe in 2001 on Alexia. Few in attendance on Feb. 20, 2010 will forget her dramatic victory aboard Karelian in the $150,000 Tampa Bay Stakes by a nose over reigning Eclipse Turf and Older Horse champion Gio Ponti and his champion jockey, Ramon Dominguez. 33 JOCKEY PROFILES Albin Jimenez Born: May 5, 1991 Birthplace: David, Panama Residence: Alexandria, KY Family: Wife, MaryBeth; daughter, Josaleen First Win: Alka, El Hipodromo Presidente Remon, Panama, 2010 Started Riding: 2010, El Hipodromo Presidente Remon Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Indiana Grand, Turfway Park. Churchill Downs Jimenez has raised his profile steadily in the Midwest, with a pair of riding titles at Turfway Park in Kentucky and another in 2015 at Indiana Grand, where he rode 108 winners to become one of three jockeys to surpass 100 victories at the track. The Oldsmar newcomer, a jockey of the Laffit Pincay Jockey Training Academy in his homeland, has three younger brothers who are also products of the academy: Carlos, Daniel and David. Albin won the Indiana Grand title despite missing five weeks of the meeting due to injury. Jimenez is the regular rider on the 3-year-old Indiana-bred filly Lady Fog Horn, an Anthony Granitz trainee who won four consecutive stakes during the latter stages of the Indiana Grand meeting. As a youngster, Jimenez viewed horse racing as a means to escape poverty, and when he began attending the jockey academy and fell in love with horses, he knew nothing would stop him from achieving his goal. Victor Lebron Born: July 21, 1984 Birthplace: St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands Residence: Florence, KY Family: Wife, Ruth; daughters Maya, Leslieann, Lea and Jaslean; twin boys, Jayden and Akilies Started Riding: St. Croix Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Churchill Downs In the past two seasons, Lebron has established himself in the top rank of Tampa Bay Downs jockeys. He was sixth in the 2014-2015 standings with 33 victories, including a triumph aboard Irish Jasper in stakes-record time in the seven-furlong Gasparilla Stakes for owner-trainer Derek Ryan. Lebron possesses a knack for making a strong first impression. He won the first graded stakes he ever competed in, piloting 21-1 shot Swift Temper to victory in the Grade III Gardenia Handicap at Ellis Park in 2008. And in his first season at Tampa Bay Downs two years ago, he won the Super Stakes on Our Double Play for trainer Phil Bauer. Lebron, who won 263 races in 2008, is nearing the 1,500-mark in career victories. He won the Grade II Indiana Oaks in 2013 aboard Pure Fun for trainer Ken McPeek. It was another McPeek runner that gave Lebron his most memorable moment in racing. After riding Frac Daddy to a second-place finish in the 2013 Arkansas Derby, Lebron got to ride him in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands, becoming one of a small number of African-American riders to compete in the Run for the Roses. Also in the field was his St. Croix Central High School classmate Kevin Krigger, also African-American, aboard Goldencents. Lebron has won riding titles at Turfway, Indiana Grand and Ellis Park. He is the owner of his own car dealership. Wife Ruth delivered twin boys on Nov. 9; the couple‘s four daughters range in age from 3-11. 34 JOCKEY PROFILES Pablo Morales Born: September 5, 1988 Birthplace: Lima, Peru Residence: Tampa, FL Family: Wife, Erin; daughter, Sophia; son, Camilo First Win: Alena‘s Boy, 2005, Gulfstream Park Started Riding: 2004, Monterrico, Peru Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Presque Isle Downs, Parx, Indiana Grand, Churchill Downs Precocious is one word often used to describe Pablo Morales. He earned his first North American victory at Gulfstream in 2005 before his 17th birthday; that same year, just after turning 17, he captured the Grade II, $750,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs aboard The Daddy. Talented is another spot-on definition. Morales won three consecutive riding titles at Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pa., before settling for second the past two seasons, winning 88 races there this summer. Morales finished eighth in the Oldsmar standings last season with 28 victories. Earlier in his career, Morales spent two winters riding at Aqueduct in New York for such leading trainers as Gary Contessa, Kiaran McLaughlin and H. Graham Motion, but welcomes the chance every winter and spring to compete for his first Tampa Bay Downs title. He recorded career victory No. 1,000 in 2014 at Presque Isle Downs aboard For Scipion. One of several jockeys from Peru to compete at Tampa Bay Downs in recent years, Morales graduated from the same jockeys school in Peru as Hall of Fame member Edgar Prado, Rafael Bejarano and Oldsmar rival Fernando De La Cruz. Morales achieved back-to-back stakes victories this summer at Presque Isle and Parx aboard the 3-year-old filly R Frosty One for trainer Eduardo Rojas, his father-in-law. Brian Pedroza Born: October 23, 1991 Birthplace: Los Angeles, California Residence: Tampa, FL Family: Mother, Kim Wichmann; father, Martin Pedroza; sister, Mya Vail First win: Fast n‘Clear, 2010, Gulfstream Park Started riding: Laurel, 2009 Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Delaware, Laurel, Penn National Even though his father is Martin Pedroza, a fixture at southern California tracks since 1983, and his mother is a former jockey (she rode as Kim Davis) and an exercise rider in Ocala, Brian had little interest in becoming a jockey until he turned 18. But he soon felt a need to learn if he had inherited his father‘s ability, and since then he has impressed horsemen and fellow riders with his skill and instincts. ―Brian is a natural,‖ said trainer Dennis Ward. ―He gets them in the right spot, and a lot of horses just run off the screen for him.‖ Brian also has a cousin, Marcelino Pedroza, who is a jockey. Brian has won 56 races in Oldsmar over the past two seasons. Additionally, he earned the first stakes victory of his career last season when he rallied the mare You Bought Her to a thrilling victory in the Minaret Stakes for owner-trainer David Hinsley. From the time he was 4 until he was 16, Brian spent summers with his father in California, and he still relies on him for advice. His influence shows in Brian‘s ability to judge pace and save a horse‘s best effort for the stretch run. Pedroza finished seventh at Delaware Park this year, winning on an impressive 20 percent of his mounts. 35 JOCKEY PROFILES Erick D. Rodriguez Born: March 3, 1980 Birthplace: Ponce, Puerto Rico Residence: Tampa, FL Family: Sons, Cristian and Adrian; daughter, Ericka First win: Parx Racing, 2002 Started riding: Calder Race Course, 2001 Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Presque Isle Downs, Laurel, Pimlico Rodriguez learned early in his career that a jockey‘s existence is often fraught with peril, but that the rewards can be immense. In 2005, four months after breaking four vertebrae in his back, he won the abbreviated summer meeting at Pimlico. The majority of his 1,400-plus victories have come at Pimlico and Laurel, but Oldsmar and western Pennsylvania are where Rodriguez has flourished the last two years. He had a strong summer at Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pa., last summer, riding 74 winners to finish third in the standings. In 2014, Rodriguez was the only jockey to win two graded stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, capturing the Grade III, $150,000 Endeavour Stakes and the Grade III, $150,000 Hillsborough Stakes aboard the 5-year-old mare Cloud Scapes, a Pin Oak Stable homebred trained by H. Graham Motion. From Oldsmar, Rodriguez went to Presque Isle Downs, where he finished fourth in the overall standings with 78 victories while compiling a meeting-best 25-percent win rate. Rodriguez built his career from the ground up, galloping and breaking horses in Puerto Rico before coming to the mid-Atlantic region. Rodriguez earned his first graded-stakes victory on Ryan‘s For Real in the 2008 Grade III, $200,000 Bill Hartack Memorial Handicap at Hawthorne for trainer Dale Capuano. Ademar Santos Born: August 27, 1975 Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Residence: Oldsmar, FL Family: Wife, Rose; sons Lucas, Gabriel, and Rafael First Win: The Cure, Hipodromo de Gavea, Brazil, 1993 Started Riding: Hipodromo de Gavea, Brazil, 1993 Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Presque Isle Downs, ThistleDown Santos seems to heat up with the weather. He has won the $5,000 Jockeys‘ Challenge each of the last two years during Tampa Bay Downs‘ Summer Festival of Racing, winning four races and finishing in the money on all 11 mounts during the 2015 event. His three winners on the first day boosted him to seventh in the 2014-2015 standings with 29 victories. Santos knows a positive attitude is his key to success on the track. ―As long as I stay motivated and stay positive, I can keep improving,‖ he said. ―I have an Equicizer (a mechanical horse) at home and spend a halfhour on it every morning after working out seven or eight horses at the track, so I think I‘m as fit as anybody.‖ Santos was seventh in the standings at Presque Isle Downs last summer with 32 victories. His wife and sons — 9-year-old twins Lucas and Gabriel and 7-year-old Rafael — are his biggest supporters. 36 JOCKEY PROFILES Scott Spieth Born: October 25, 1966 Birthplace: Litchfield, Michigan Residence: Oldsmar, FL Family: Fiancee, Aldana Gonzalez; Daughters, Kirsten Swan, Victoria, and Valerie; sons, Austin and Bruin First win: Glendale Downs, 1981 (Quarter Horse) Started riding: Glendale Downs, 1981 Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Presque Isle Downs, Delaware Park, ThistleDown, Parx, Laurel, Penn National Spieth is quietly approaching the 4,500-victory mark, but he has set his sights on reaching 5,000 before hanging up his tack. Those familiar with his skills, determination and work ethic won‘t bet against him. In March of 2012, his quest to reach 4,000 appeared to have hit a brick wall before he won three races on consecutive cards at Tampa Bay Downs, reaching the milestone aboard the 4-year-old filly Ula. From 2000-2008, Spieth often rode two cards a day, competing at ThistleDown outside Cleveland during the day and at Mountaineer in West Virginia at night. Spieth roded 307 winners in 2005 and averaged 269 a year from 2005-2007. In 2009, he recorded perhaps the most memorable victory in his career in the $500,000 West Virginia Jefferson Security Cup Cavada Breeders‘ Classic at Charles Town aboard 3-year-old filly My Sister Margaret. ―I‘ve put in my time, that‘s for sure,‖ Spieth said last spring. ―I‘ve had spills that could have been major problems but haven‘t been, so I‘ve been lucky. I guess I would describe myself as being very dedicated toward the business.‖ He credits his parents, Lavern and Gearldine, as well as his brothers, former Quarter Horse trainer Tony and equine dentist and blacksmith Jason, for their lifelong support. His daughter, Kirsten Swan, is a top jockey of Arabian-bred horses who won the 2014 Darley Award. Harry Vega Born: September 21, 1965 Birthplace: New Brunswick, N.J. Residence: Ocala, FL Family: Daughters, Mercedes and Devin; son, Tyler First Win: Hazel Park, 1983 Started Riding: Hazel Park, 1983 Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Presque Isle Downs With more than 4,100 victories entering the 2015-2016 meeting, Vega stands 26th among active jockeys in North America. But he is always looking for ways to get better. He finished in a tie for 11th in last year‘s Tampa Bay Downs standings with 21 victories, a year after winning 37 races at the Oldsmar oval to place fifth. He won the Pelican Stakes that season aboard Palace Barista for breeder-owner-trainer Lynne Scace. Vega‘s best horse, in all likelihood, was Xtra Heat, a Hall of Fame filly he rode to several graded stakes victories in 2002 and a third-place finish in the $2 -million Dubai Golden Shaheen in the United Arab Emirates. Other top mounts over the years include Disco Rico and Scottish Halo. Vega‘s biggest fan is his mother Mercedes Lopez, who watches his races on TV from her Puerto Rico home. When he was a teenager, she gave him permission to follow his dream of becoming a jockey and move in with Hall of Fame rider Angel Cordero, Jr., for early lessons. More than three decades later, Vega continues to pay back that debt. 37 JOCKEY PROFILES Huber Villa-Gomez Born: January 28,1976 Birthplace: Ayacucho, Peru Residence: Tampa Family: Son, Maxy; daughter, Abby Started Riding: 1997 First winner: Victorio, in Peru Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Presque Isle Downs, Woodbine Villa-Gomez entered exclusive company in October by winning the Grade III Ontario Fashion Stakes at Woodbine in Toronto on Cactus Kris for his first graded-stakes triumph. He missed the entire 2014-2015 Tampa Bay Downs season due to injury, but he returned to enjoy a strong meeting at Presque Isle Downs, finishing eighth with 31 victories. Villa-Gomez, who finished 11th in the Oldsmar standings with 35 victories two seasons ago, is the epitome of a lunch-bucket jockey. He goes to work every day, quietly goes about his business and at the end of the day, he rewards his owners, trainers and backers with the best possible effort from their horses. A measure of the respect in which he is held came toward the tail end of the 2011-12 Tampa Bay Downs meeting, when he rode 11 winners during a seven-day stretch — for nine different trainers. VillaGomez began riding in his native Peru after he gained an interest in horses through a cousin who worked at a racetrack. ―The first day I went to the track, that‘s when I knew I wanted to ride,‖ he says. At 18 he attended jockey school in Peru, and won his first race there on Victorio. In 2011, he tied Pablo Morales for the PID crown. During the 2010-11 Tampa Bay Downs meeting, Villa-Gomez was aboard Sneaking Uponyou for trainer Jamie Ness when the 5-year-old gelding set a six-furlong track record of 1:08.69 (since lowered) in the 2011 Florida Cup Hilton Garden Inn Sprint; the connections won the race again in 2014. When he‘s not riding, Villa-Gomez enjoys playing with his children, Maxy and Abby. Gary Wales Born: December 3, 1985 Birthplace: Edinburgh, Scotland Residence: North Adams, Massachusetts Family: Wife, Katie; father, Colin; mother, Diane First Win: Leading Character, 2008, Colonial Downs Started Riding: 2006, Lingfield Park Racecourse, England Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Finger Lakes, Presque Isle Downs, Suffolk Downs Attending the races at Musselburgh Racecourse in East Lothian, Scotland with his grandfather as a youngster sparked a love of Thoroughbreds for Wales, who worked at the local stables before enrolling in the Northern Racing College in Doncaster, England when he was 17. In August of 2013, he was bidding to be leading jockey at Suffolk when he fractured his L2 vertebra in a spill, sidelining him for six weeks. Upon his return, he won on a mare named Thereisgoldahead trained by his wife, Katie Mancini-Wales. The couple met about seven years ago in South Carolina, where he was exercising horses and she was working for pinhooker Kip Elser. Wales had his best year in 2014, riding 51 winners, and appears poised for a breakthrough. He is an avid golfer who played last summer at Gullane Golf Club in East Lothian, Scotland, where Rickie Fowler won the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. 38 TRAINER PROFILES Steeds and riders await the track’s re-opening for morning workouts 39 TRAINER PROFILES LEADING TRAINERS YEAR 2014-2015 2013-2014 2012-2013 2011-2012 2010-2011 2009-2010 2008-2009 2007-2008 2006-2007 2005-2006 2004-2005 2003-2004 2002-2003 2001-2002 2000-2001 1999-2000 1998-1999 1997-1998 TRAINER Jamie Ness Jamie Ness Jamie Ness Jamie Ness J. Ness/Gerald Bennett J. Ness/K. O'Connell Jamie Ness Jamie Ness Jamie Ness Kirk Ziadie Don Rice Lynne Scace Don Rice Don Rice Don Rice Don Rice Kathleen O'Connell Joe Cesarini WINS 46 53 46 79* 61 51 62 68 38 34 35 25 43 44 37 33 26 33 40 YEAR TRAINER 1996-1997 Don Rice 1995-1996 Don Rice 1994-1995 Don Rice 1993-1994 Jason Stodghill 1992-1993 John Reading 1991-1992 John Reading 1990-1991 J.C. Barnhill 1989-1990 Joe Waunsch 1988-1989 Pedregal/Jordan 1987-1988 Art Pedregal 1986-1987 Norm Wismer/Braddy 1985-1986 Don Jordan 1984-1985 Mary Hodge 1983-1984 J.D. Braddy 1982-1983 Fred Warren 1981-1982 Jacqueline Branham 1980-1981 Robert Guciardo *Tampa Bay Downs Record WINS 28 33 28 30 28 37 30 33 36 28 27 25 23 29 40 34 23 TRAINER PROFILES Dale Bennett Born: July 8, 1972 Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario Residence: Arlington Heights, IL Family: Wife, Denise; daughters, Donna and Haleigh Started Training: 1998 in Detroit First Win: Spirit of Austin, Detroit Race Course, 1998 Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Arlington International, Hawthorne, Keeneland, Mountaineer Bennett enjoyed another outstanding campaign during the 2014-2015 Tampa Bay Downs meeting, saddling 14 winners to finish tied for 11th in the standings. He went on to win 19 races at Arlington, good for an eighth-place finish. Two seasons ago, he won the $100,000 Inaugural Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs with Cool Cowboy for Savoy Stable. The son of Tampa Bay Downs trainer Gerald Bennett grew up on a farm in Campbellville, Ontario, Canada. He was raised around horses, and began working with them at a very early age. As time went by, Bennett began to progress through the ranks of the backside, starting out hot-walking for his father, then working as a groom and an exercise rider, all the while finding time to graduate from Guelph Collegiate in 1991. Bennett earned his trainer‘s license In 1998, beginning his career with three horses in his barn. One of the three, Spirit of Austin, gave him his first win at Detroit Race Course. Since then, Dale Bennett has excelled at any track where he keeps a stable. Bennett says his father has had the biggest influence on his career. He grew up working in his barn, and says that his father taught him the art of communicating with horses, as well as the need to treat and train the horses as individuals. Bennett‘s most memorable horse is Marley‘s Revenge, who gave him his first stakes win in the 2004 Hansel Stakes at Turfway Park. Later that season, he won the Taylor‘s Special Stakes at Arlington. Gerald Bennett Born: March 12, 1944 Birthplace: Springhill, Nova Scotia Residence: Tampa, FL Family: Wife Mary; sons, Dale and Jerry; daughter, Katharine; two grandchildren Started Training: 1974 First Win: Greenwood, Canada Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Presque Isle Downs, Indiana Grand, ThistleDown With more than 3,500 victories, Gerald Bennett sports one of the most remarkable records in the history of racing. He ranks 19th all-time in North American annals and 10th among active trainers, and he shows no signs of slowing. From 2003-2011, he saddled at least 100 winners every year. Bettors value the consistency of Bennett, who saddled 43 winners last season to place second in the standings. During the 2010-11 Tampa Bay Downs campaign, Bennett tied Jamie Ness for the top spot with 61 triumphs; four years ago Bennett finished second with 32 victories, and his 44 second-place finishes were the most of any trainer. Bennett picked up minor stakes winner Beau Genius after his 3-year-old season and trained him to victory in 13 stakes, including the 1990 Philip H. Iselin (then a Grade I) and the 1990 Michigan Mile and One-Eighth Handicap, then a Grade II. Beau Genius won the Hallandale Handicap for Bennett at Gulfstream in 1990, a race also notable as the final victory for Hall of Fame jockey Bill Shoemaker. Among other notable Bennett trainees are Secret Romeo, winner of the 2002 Super Stakes and Pelican Stakes; and Banker‘s Jet, winner of seven stakes and over $670,000. The Bennett-trained gelding Jr‘s Exchange holds the Tampa Bay Downs five-furlong record on the dirt (56.57). In 2011, Bennett sent out Crimson Knight, a horse he claimed for $16,000, to finish second in the Grade II, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby. Among his many accomplishments, Bennett has won five races in one day. Adding to his talents, Bennett trained and rehabbed Standardbreds in Ontario, Canada. On May 5, 2007, Bennett escorted his trainee Bucky's Prayer to the winner‘s circle after her victory in the Lightning City Stakes. Victory No. 3,500 came at Tampa Bay Downs last March with the 3-year-old filly Once More for Love. 41 TRAINER PROFILES William “Buff” Bradley Born: August 26, 1963 Birthplace: Frankfort, KY Residence: Frankfort, KY Family: Wife, Kim; son, Drew; daughters, Kory and Jett Started Training: 1993 First Win: Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Gulfstream Park, Ellis Park Bradley added another graded-stakes triumph to his ledger in 2015 when his 3-year-old colt Divisidero won the Grade II American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs in May. The son of former Kentucky state senator and fighter pilot Fred Bradley reached the pinnacle of the sport for the second year in a row in the 2013 Breeders‘ Cup when his 5-year-old homebred mare Groupie Doll successfully defended her title in the Filly and Mare Sprint at Santa Anita. Bradley helped deliver Groupie Doll at the Bradley family‘s Indian Ridge Farm near Frankfort in April of 2008. ―I remember the day she foaled because she was such a beautiful red filly,‖ Bradley said. ―I don‘t remember them all, but she stood out from Day 1.‖ Groupie Doll was bred by Bradley an d his father in partnership. A few days after her Breeders‘ Cup repeat, Groupie Doll was sold to Mandy Pope as a broodmare for $3.1 million at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Prior to Groupie Doll, the Bradleys‘ greatest success came with the popular gelding Brass Hat, a Grade I winner who earned more than $2.1 million. Brass Hat remains part of the family as a stable pony. Buff worked four years as an assistant to Clarence Picou before going out on his own in 1993. He and his family are proactive in Thoroughbred aftercare and have several retirees at the farm, including Free Spirit‘s Joy, the 1991 Grade I Super Derby winner Bradley worked with when he was an assistant to Clarence Picou before going out on his own. His nickname, Buff, is short for ―Buffalo Bill,‖ which he acquired as a boy. His top assistant at Tampa Bay Downs is Maria Kabel. Jason DaCosta Born: July 11, 1985 Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica Residence: Oldsmar, FL Family: Single Started Training: 2009 First Win: 2009, Miss Aristocrat, Calder Race Course Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Park DaCosta has made a strong impact at Tampa Bay Downs his first three seasons. After winning 45 races during his first two meetings, he enjoyed his first top-five finish during the 2014-2015 meeting, sending out 23 winners from only 85 starters. DaCosta‘s success should come as no surprise; his father, Wayne DaCosta, is a 14-time leading trainer in Jamaica with more than 1,600 victories, and a member of the island nation‘s Racing Hall of Fame. Jason worked for his father for almost five years at his Caymanas Park stable before coming to the United States. He says not to underestimate the quality of racing in Jamaica, nor the passion of horsemen and fans. ―On race days, you see guys with a transistor radio pressed to their ear, the stands are packed and there are off-track betting parlors everywhere,‖ he said. He credits his father with teaching him to be a hands-on conditioner and not to cut corners in the horses‘ preparation and care. His first career stakes winner was Silver Cloud, who won the Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint at Calder. A substantial portion of DaCosta‘s success can be traced to jockey Fernando De La Cruz; the two have been a top Oldsmar combination three meetings in a row. As his successes continue to mount, DaCosta seems certain to make a name for himself while continuing the family legacy of excellence on the racetrack. 42 TRAINER PROFILES Arnaud Delacour Born: April 7, 1975 Birthplace: Lisieux, France Residence: Elkton, Maryland Family: Wife, Leigh; sons, Luca and Julien Started Training: 2013, Pimlico First Win: Country Lyric, Pimlico Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Delaware Park, Pimlico, Laurel, Penn National Delacour‘s rapid ascent in the training ranks continued in 2015 with Lael Stables‘ 3-year-old Tapit son Divining Rod, who made a strong early impression at Tampa Bay Downs by finishing second in the Grade III, $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes and third in the Grade II, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby. In his next start, the colt stamped himself as a Triple Crown candidate by winning the Grade III Coolmore Lexington Stakes at Keeneland. He then overcame a pre-race deluge to finish third in the Xpressbet.com Preakness Stakes, won by American Pharoah, and added third-place efforts in the Ohio Derby and Grade II Indiana Derby. Delacour is the husband of trainer Leigh Delacour, who tied for 10th in the Tampa Bay Downs standings during the 2012-2013 meeting with 16 winners. After the birth of their son Luca in August of 2012, the couple began to plan for Arnaud to take over the conditioning duties on a full-time basis. Arnaud was sixth in last season‘s Tampa Bay Downs standings with 18 victories. The Delacours keep their horses at Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland during the summer, enabling them to ship in to a variety of mid-Atlantic tracks. Arnaud worked as an assistant to Alain de Royer-Dupre in France and was an exercise rider for Christophe Clement. Another top horse trained by Delacour for Lael Stables is the 6-year-old graded-stakes winning mare Ageless, who finished a fast-closing fourth in the 2014 Breeders‘ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita. She was one of the top favorites for the 2015 Breeders‘ Cup Turf Sprint before suffering an injury in her dramatic victory in the Buffalo Trace Franklin County Stakes at Keeneland over eventual Cup runner-up Lady Shipman. Ageless is a two-time Grade III winner. Chris Gatis Born: January 2, 1960 Birthplace: Agrinio, Greece Residence: Palm City, FL Family:Daughter, Mandy; son, Dino; granddaughter, Adriana; grandson, Mason Started Training: 2003, Tampa Bay Downs First Win: 2004, Tampa Bay Downs Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Park West, Gulfstream Gatis first became interested in Thoroughbred racing while growing up in South Africa, attending such tracks as The Vaal and Turffontein. Still, he was a relative novice when he moved to Tarpon Springs, Fla., about 15 miles from Tampa Bay Downs, in 1989. A tropical bird merchant who raised, bought and sold various species of parrots, he started out in the racing business as an owner with only five horses, but by observing the daily goings-on he proved a quick study, winning the 1999-2000 Oldsmar owners‘ crown. One of his first claims was a then-7-year-old mare named Corinas Poise, who won six races at Tampa Bay Downs in a 12-week span in 2001. Gatis transitioned to training in 2003 and has saddled about 350 winners, tying for seventh place in the 2014-2015 Tampa Bay Downs standings with 15 victories. His best horse probably was Tale of a Champion, which he sent out to win his first career start as a 4-year-old in 2012 at Gulfstream Park. Recognizing his potential, Gatis and partner Chester Bishop purchased Tale of a Champion, who won three of his next four starts, including the Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint Stakes at Calder. Gatis and Bishop sold Tale of a Champion privately after that race to West Coast connections, and the following year he won the Grade II Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap at Betfair Hollywood Park and competed in that fall‘s Breeders‘ Cup Turf. 43 TRAINER PROFILES Aldana Gonzalez Born: July 19, 1978 Birthplace: Buenos Aires, Argentina Residence: Tampa, FL Family: Fiance, Scott Spieth; father, Raul; mother, Mirta; aunt, Blanca Gonzalez First Win: Soap Sudz, 2006, Meadowlands Started Training: 2006, Meadowlands Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Delaware Park Gonzalez enjoyed a strong season at Tampa Bay Downs in 2014-2015, winning 13 races while training primarily for Canadian homebuilder Bruno Schickedanz. She followed her Oldsmar success last summer by sending out 16 winners at Delaware Park, good for a tie for sixth in the final standings. Gonzalez came to the United States in 2002, working first as a hotwalker for her aunt Blanca, a jockey-turned-trainer. Gonzalez‘s ambition was to become a trainer, and she went to work as an assistant for trainer Tom Skiffington, who put her in charge of his shed row at Palm Beach Downs in south Florida. After working for Skiffington and briefly training on her own, Gonzalez worked as an assistant under Tampa Bay Downs veterinarian David Skand. ―I learned a lot from him about understanding a horse‘s body, their conformation, soundness and medications, and I also got to see what a lot of other trainers did to get a horse ready,‖ she said. In 2007, Gonzalez accepted a job as an assistant under Joan Scott, staying with the Grade I-winning conditioner for five years. She credits Scott with helping to sharpen her management and organizational skills, and when the time came to open her own stable, she knew she was ready. Gonzalez studied psychology for three years at the University of Buenos Aires before coming to the United States. She is in a relationship with jockey Scott Spieth, whom she calls her best friend and her soul mate. Anthony Granitz Born: October 25, 1963 Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois Residence: Lemont, Illinois; Safety Harbor, FL Family: Wife, Joy; daughters, Tiffanie, Taylor and Eve First win: 1984, Balmoral Park Started Training: Illinois, 1983 Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Arlington International, Indiana Grand, Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Parx, Woodbine Granitz began 2015 with a career milestone, sending out the 4-year-old gelding Wedding Savior for career victory No. 1,000 at the Oldsmar oval on Jan. 4. He dedicated the victory to his father, Chris Granitz, who introduced him to Thoroughbred racing by taking him to Arlington Park in Chicago when he was 13. That summer, the elder Granitz helped Anthony get a job at Arlington Park working for friends, and he has been involved in the sport ever since. He was an assistant to his brother, Chris Granitz, Jr., before Chris took a job with the railroad and Anthony took over the stable. Granitz sends many of his young horses to Ocala to be broken by Chad Stewart before they return to the racetrack. Earlier this year, In 2014, Granitz‘s then-5-year-old, Tell All You Know, won the Honor the Hero Stakes at Canterbury Park. Among his best horses are multiplestakes winner Darley Dancer, an Illinois-bred who earned more than $500,000 racing in the early to mid-1990s; False Promises, who won the Grade III Hawthorne Derby in 2003; and Coni Bug, an Illinois-bred champion winner of the 1992 Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs. 44 TRAINER PROFILES Eoin Harty Born: November 23, 1962 Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland Residence: Arcadia, CA Family: Wife, Kathy; son, Eddie Started Training: 2000, West Coast Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, southern California Harty is a fourth-generation horseman. His great-grandfather began his racing career in Ireland in 1880, working as both a jockey and a trainer. Eoin‘s grandfather Cyril trained Knight‘s Crest, winner of the 1944 Irish Grand National. His father, Eddie, was an accomplished equestrian who competed in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome and later won the Grand National Steeplechase as a jockey. Eoin Harty moved to the United States at 17 after working for one year at the Irish National Stud. He spent 14 years as an assistant trainer in southern California, first with John Russell, then with Bob Baffert. Harty was part of the Baffert team when Silver Charm and Real Quiet won the Kentucky Derby back-to-back in 1997 and 1998. Harty trained Tempera, who won the 2001 Breeders‘ Cup Juvenile Fillies and was recognized after the season with an Eclipse Award. He also trained the Juvenile Fillies runner-up, Imperial Gesture. Harty earned the richest victory of his career when his Well Armed won the $6-million Dubai World Cup by a record 14 lengths in 2009. That followed an amazing 2008 season when he trained the winners of seven graded stakes, including Well Armed in the Goodwood and Colonel John in the Santa Anita Derby and Travers. Other Grade I winners for Harty include Victor‘s Cry and Dubai Escapade. The Hartys met in 1986 when Kathy was exercising horses for John Russell. Sandino R. Hernandez, Jr. Born: August 8, 1972 Birthplace: Queens, N.Y. Residence: Pembroke Pines, FL Family: Sons, Brian and Alex First Win: Monetary Justice, 1999, Aqueduct Started Training: 1998, Aqueduct Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Park West, Gulfstream Hernandez took the Oldsmar oval by storm last season, saddling 24 winners from a mere 70 starters to finish fourth in the trainer standings. He also helped his primary client, Dennis Amaty (Amaty Racing Stables, Inc.) tie Midwest Thoroughbreds for the owners‘ crown with 23 victories apiece. Hernandez and Amaty attended Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, N.Y., together, and they have teamed to be one of the top owner-trainer combinations at the track. Among their top horses last season were the stakes-winning filly Nesso; Unstoppable U, a gelding who competed in the 2012 Belmont Stakes; and Grey by You, who won the Oldsmar Cup in April. Sandino Hernandez, Sr., his father, rode and trained for many years and exercised horses for his son into his 60s. He lives in New York. Sandino‘s cousin is former New York jockey Ruben Hernandez, who rode Coastal to victory in the 1979 Belmont Stakes to derail Spectacular Bid‘s Triple Crown hopes. As boys, Hernandez and Amaty attended the races together. Hernandez went to work after graduation for New York trainer Phil Serpe and credits him for teaching him how to run a stable. But it is his father, who lives in Elmont, N.Y., whom he keeps returning to for lessons. ―The one thing my father always taught me is that you need dedication to be successful. He taught me to keep an eye on every horse in the barn and how to read them. That, and also to try to keep them happy,‖ the younger Hernandez said. ―They will tell you how they‘re doing, and that‘s how you make the decision whether to go forward with a horse or back off its training.‖ 45 TRAINER PROFILES David Hinsley Born: August 25, 1948 Birthplace: Brantford, Ontario, Canada Residence: Oldsmar, FL Family: Wife, Sharon Started Training: 1985, Sportsman‘s Park Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Arlington, Hawthorne, Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Indiana Grand, Ellis Park Hinsley has been managing Hinsley Racing Stable for 30 years. He began his career at 16 as a jockey in Australia, two years after his parents moved ―Down Under‖ from Canada. After their return, Hinsley worked helping Spendthrift Farm prepare young horses for their introduction to racing before becoming assistant trainer to W.H. ―Jinks‖ Fires for 10 years. Hinsley opened his own stable in 1986, the same year he and Sharon, also an assistant trainer, were married. A handson trainer, Hinsley views each horse on its own terms and is comfortable working with any kind of horse. Hinsley trained Rumor Has It to win the Grade III Kentucky Cup Turf Stakes in 2008; the 14-year-old gelding still lives at the track in its barn for winners of that event. Last year at Tampa Bay Downs, the Hinsleys won the Minaret Stakes with their 5-year-old mare You Bought Her, owned in partnership with Richard Perkins. You Bought Her was a 16-1 shot, but the real reward for the Hinsleys came in bringing her back from a fall in the Grade III Arlington-Washington Lassie as a 2-year-old. She did not win again until March of her 4-year-old season at Tampa Bay Downs. The Hinsleys race at Arlington and Hawthorne in Illinois during the summer and early fall. Jamie Ness Born: October 29, 1974 Birthplace: Heron, South Dakota Residence: Odessa, FL Family: Wife, Mandy; daughters, Hannah, Emma and Jessy Smith Started Training: 2000, Canterbury Park First Win: 2000, Blue Rocket, Canterbury Park Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream, Laurel, Penn National, Pimlico, Aqueduct, Presque Isle Downs, Monmouth, Delaware The soft-spoken Ness has won the track‘s training title each of the last nine seasons, sharing the No. 1 spot with Kathleen O‘Connell during the 2009-10 meeting and with Gerald Bennett in 2010-11. His best year came in 2012, when Ness led all North American conditioners with 395 victories. He had finished second in 2011 and 2010 with 330 and 291, respectively, and was again in the top five at the outset of the current meeting. Ness wrapped up his most recent Oldsmar title in style by winning 28 races from his last 68 starters to overtake Bennett for the title with 46 victories. The Oldsmar crown was one of four track training titles won in 2015 by Ness, who also finished atop the standings at Pimlico, Delaware and Meadowlands. Ness set a Tampa Bay Downs record during the 2011-2012 meeting with 79 victories. The majority of his runners over the years have been owned by Rich and Karen Papiese‘s Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc.; Ness and his wife Mandy own about a dozen under their own Jagger, Inc., name, in addition to the 70 or so they train for Midwest and other clients. The Jagger horses include 5-year-old gelding Oak Bluffs, who won the My Frenchman Stakes at Monmouth last summer. In November of 2013, Ness earned his 2,000th career victory at Laurel Park with 6-year-old gelding Caylee‘s Song. He was approaching 2,400 victories and his horses had career earnings of more than $35 million at the resumption of the meeting. One of his biggest success story was multiple Tampa Bay Downs stakes winner Lookinforthesecret. Ness claimed Lookinforthesecret for $12,500 at the beginning of the 2006-07 Tampa Bay Downs meet, and within five starts moved the gelding to stakes company. Ness also won the 2011 Pelican Stakes for Midwest. with See I A. and won the Florida Cup Sprint with Sneaking Uponyou in 2011 and 2014. ―My father was a trainer, and I grew up in the summers going to tracks with him to work. Racing got into my blood at an early age.‖ Mandy is also a trainer and a former jockey. 46 TRAINER PROFILES Kathleen O’Connell Birthplace: Detroit, MI Residence: Davie, FL Family: Single Started training: early 1980s, Detroit Race Course First Win: Kim‘s Lucky Spot, Detroit Race Course Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Park West. Gulfstream O‘Connell‘s national profile skyrocketed throughout 2015 via the accomplishments of her 3-year-old filly Lady Shipman, who finished second by a neck to Mongolian Saturday in the Twinspires Breeders‘ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland. Lady Shipman‘s 8-for-12 career mark through that runner-up effort against older males included six stakes and a pair of course records, including one at Saratoga on the turf in the five-and-a-half furlong Smart N Fancy Stakes. When O‘Connell saddled 43-1 shot Watch Me Go to win the 2011 Grade II, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby for her long-time client, Florida owner-breeder Gilbert Campbell, it was one of the most popular outcomes in track history. O‘Connell treats everyone with kindness, and her work ethic is an example to any young trainer making their way. O‘Connell begins the current meeting with more than 1,750 career victories, and she has won two training titles at Tampa Bay Downs and the 2009-10 title at Calder, making her the first woman to capture the crown at the south Florida track. O‘Connell gained national recognition in 2013 as the trainer of the 2-year-old filly Scandalous Act, who swept the Florida Stallion Stakes series for fillies en route to a berth in the Breeders‘ Cup Juvenile Fillies. O'Connell began her training career in her native Michigan, but has been competing in Florida since 1985. O‘Connell counts millionaire Blazing Sword among her trainees; Blazing Sword captured two divisions of the 1996 Florida Stallion Stakes, the Grade II Washington Handicap and the Calder Derby. Besides Blazing Sword, O'Connell has trained such stakes performers as Shananie's Beat, Lindsay Lane, Shan's Ready, Shananie's Finale, Sheer Bliss and Bettarun Fast. Her 2002 juvenile filly Ivanavinalot won two Florida Stallion Stakes series races, including a record-setting 13 3/4-length win in the My Dear Girl Stakes. Tom Proctor Born: April 21, 1956 Birthplace: Gilmer, TX Residence: Louisville, KY Family: Wife, Laura; son, Will; daughter, Heather Started training: 1978, Hollywood Park First Win: 1978, I‘m Smokin, Hollywood Park Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Arlington International, Del Mar, Santa Anita, Gulfstream, Churchill Downs, Keenaland The Grade I hits keep coming for Proctor, who won the Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont last summer with Include Betty, who broke her maiden here last winter. Include Betty went on to win the Suncoast Stakes here and the Grade III Fantasy at Oaklawn before her Mother Goose score for Proctor and owners Brereton C. Jones and Timothy C. Thornton. With 40 victories from 163 starters the past two seasons, Proctor has been as successful as any trainer on the Oldsmar backstretch. He won the Florida Cup Turf Classic for the second year in a row with Old Time Hockey for major client Glen Hill Farm. Proctor and Glen Hill teamed up on Thanksgiving weekend at Del Mar to win two graded stakes with homebreds, capturing the Grade I Hollywood Derby with 14-1shot Chiropractor and the Grade III Jimmy Durante Stakes with 37-1 shot Family Meeting. The Proctor barn has been a model of consistency since he began his training career. He conditioned Glen Hill‘s homebred One Dreamer, the 47-1 long shot winner of the 1994 $1 million Breeders‘ Cup Distaff at Churchill Downs. One Dreamer won 12 of 25 career starts and earned $1,265,967. She scored six other stakes wins in addition to the BC Distaff. Proctor trained Marketing Mix, a multiple-Grade I winner who finished second in the 2012 Breeders‘ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. Proctor is a son of the late Willard Proctor, who trained such stakes winners as Convenience, Gallant Romeo and Major Impact. Thomas Proctor considers I‘m Smokin one of his best horses: the California-bred won 14 of 44 career starts, including three stakes. One of the conditioner‘s favorite horses was House Account, a horse he trained in the 1980s who won his first race here. After breaking his maiden, House Account went on to win the Tampa Bay Juvenile as well as the Sam F. Davis Stakes. 47 TRAINER PROFILES Bernell Rhone Born: April 17, 1949 Birthplace: Harvey, North Dakota Residence: Oldsmar, FL Family: Daughter, LeAnn; son, Scott; two granddaughters First Win: Brown County Fair, Aberdeen, South Dakota (Villa‘s Jet) Started Training: Marquis Downs, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Canterbury Park Bernell Rhone knows about getting on a hot streak. On Aug. 14, 2003 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn., Rhone saddled six winners from seven starters. ―I thought my first one was my best shot, and when it ran fourth or fifth I said to myself, ‗It‘s going to be a long night,‘ ‖ Rhone recalls. It was actually much longer than he expected. ―I couldn‘t even sleep that night,‖ says Rhone, a member of Canterbury Park‘s Hall of Fame. ―The only thing I regret is, I didn‘t buy a lottery ticket.‖ Rhone has accumulated more than 1,300 career victories. He had another outstanding summer at Canterbury, saddling 27 winners to tie for fourth in the standings. Rhone is a former social studies teacher and guidance counselor with a Master‘s degree in counseling. Some of his other top runners include multiplestakes winner Dontbotherknocking, a Farma Way gelding who won more than $700,000; Indiana-bred gelding Heza Wild Guy, who won eight stakes, 30 races overall and more than $650,000; Minnesota-bred multiple-stakes winning distaffer Dot‘s Moment; and Game N Laughin,‘ who won the 2008 Lightning City Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs as a 5-year-old mare at odds of 29-1. Rhone won five consecutive races at Tampa Bay Downs three seasons ago with 8-year-old gelding Gold Brew, a former $5,000 claimer. Derek Ryan Born: Sept. 22, 1966 Birthplace: Tipperary, Ireland Residence: Eatontown, New Jersey Family: Son, Christopher First Win: Gulfstream Park, 1996 (Moosethegoose) Started Training: Gulfstream Park, 1995 Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Monmouth Park, New York, Parx, Laurel Last December, Ryan unveiled a speedy 2-year-old filly named Irish Jasper that won the Gasparilla Stakes in record time of 1:22.41 for seven furlongs. Subsequent victories as a 3-year-old in the Belle Harbor Stakes at Aqueduct, the Grade III Adena Springs Miss Preakness at Pimlico and the Grade III Victory Ride Stakes at Belmont followed before Ryan sold the filly to W.S. Farish and David F. Mackie. It was not the first time Ryan traveled to the Big Apple with a gradedstakes standout. He vaulted to prominence in the spring of 2009 by saddling Musket Man for a victory in the then-Grade III Tampa Bay Derby for owners Eric Fein and Vic Carlson. Musket Man, who had won the Pasco Stakes earlier in the meeting, later captured the Grade II Illinois Derby and finished third in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. As a 4-year-old, Musket Man won the Super Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs and finished second in a pair of major Grade I stakes, the Carter Handicap and the Metropolitan Handicap, as well as finishing third in the Grade I Whitney at Saratoga. One of eight siblings, Ryan became interested in horses at an early age. ―I began riding ponies as a little kid, and things just progressed from there,‖ he recalls. Ryan galloped horses in Europe for trainers Criquette Head, Tommy Stack and Barney Curley. After coming to the United States in 1989, he became a freelance exercise rider and galloped for Hall of Fame trainer William Mott, Phil Johnson, Joseph Orseno and Richard DeStasio. Ryan set out on his own in 1995 and shortly afterward won his first stakes race with Java Nagila, a former $12,500 claimer. His first graded stakes victory came in the 2002 Jersey Derby with 55-1 shot Emergency Status. 48 TRAINER PROFILES Joan Scott Born: January 30, 1967 Birthplace: Harrisonburg, Virginia Residence: Lexington, Ky., and Tampa, FL Family: Mother; brothers, Chris and Steve Started training: Hoosier Park, 2000 First Win: Hoosier Park Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Keeneland, Indiana Grand, Presque Isle Downs, Churchill Downs, Woodbine, ThistleDown Scott is the conditioner of the gelding Ancil, who set a Tampa Bay Downs turf-course record of 54.88 seconds for five furlongs (since lowered by Bold Thunder to 54.63) in winning the $100,000 Turf Dash Stakes in 2014. The victory earned Ancil an invitation to Royal Ascot in England for the King‘s Stand Stakes and although he finished off the board, the trip was a thrill for Scott and another indication of her training prowess. Before branching out on her own, Scott toured the world working such prestigious sales as Deauville in France and Newmarket in England, as well as exercising and breaking yearlings for top outfits like Juddmonte Farms, Fares Farm, Ashleigh Stud, England‘s Stowell Hill Farm and Haras du Quesnay. Scott, who sent out 10 winners from only 46 starters during the 2014-15 Tampa Bay Downs meeting, conditioned stakes winner Ruler of Love, who finished second in the Grade II West Virginia Derby and Grade II Super Derby in 2013. Another Scott trainee, the 5-year-old mare Cor Cor, was a multiple stakes winner, including the Sandpiper Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs as a 2-year-old. Scott trained Dr. Zic to win the Grade I Vinery Madison at Keeneland in 2010. The filly had won the 2008 Sandpiper Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. Scott also won the Grade II Kelso Breeders‘ Cup Handicap in 2003 with Freefourinternet and the Grade III Ontario Colleen in 2014 with Speed Seeker. Before going out on her own in 2002, Scott galloped for and/or assisted many top trainers, including Bud Delp, Elliott Walden, Carl Nafzger and Nick Zito. She was with Zito when he had such stakes stars as Acceptable, Louis Quatorze, Love That Jazz, Diligence and Storm Song. ―That‘s a lot of fun,‖ she said. ―It‘s like having your own kindergarten class. It‘s a great feeling when you see the light come on and off they go.‖ Scott loves the effect Tampa Bay Downs has on her stable and is always among the first arrivals. Chad Stewart Born: October 25, 1964 Birthplace: Wisner, Nebraska Residence: Ocala, FL Family: Wife, Dr. Laurie Stewart; sons, Christian, Zackary and Jacob First win: Atokad Park, 1984 (Bobadodadee) Started Training: Atokad Park Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Stewart entered exclusive company in 2015 when he captured his first graded stakes victory with the 6-year-old gelding Rerun in the Grade III Miami Mile Stakes at Gulfstream, but his most impressive effort may have come with his 3-year-old colt, Catalina Red. The Florida-bred set a stakes record of 1:09.32 for the sixfurlong Inaugural as a 2-year-old, then bettered that by winning the Pasco Stakes as a 3-year-old in track-record time of 1:21.40 for seven furlongs. Stewart grew up on a crop farm in the ―metropolis of Wisner,‖ a town of about 350 folks 90 miles northwest of Omaha. His family moved to Arkansas when he was 13 and he started hot-walking horses and galloping at a nearby training center. By the early 1980s, Stewart was getting on 12-to-15 head a day at Park Jefferson at South Dakota and making $40-$50 a day. ―I thought, ‗I‘m rolling now,‘ ― he recalls. Stewart lives in Ocala with his family (wife Laurie is a veterinarian) at their 94-acre Grace Full Oaks Farm, where the Thoroughbred population ranges anywhere 49 from 70 to 120 or so horses. He ships in his runners to Tampa Bay Downs. In addition to running his own stable, Stewart breaks dozens of horses annually, preparing them for the races before sending them to such successful trainers as Chris Block, Anthony Granitz, Diane Alvarado and Peter Walder. Stewart trained Don‘ttalktome for client World Thoroughbreds Racing, Inc.; her victory in the 2011 Connie Ann Stakes at Calder came at the expense of subsequent Eclipse Award champion Musical Romance. The Stewarts bred Tightend Touchdown, who dead-heated for second in the 2013 Geico Breeders‘ Cup Turf Sprint. TRAINER PROFILES Monte Thomas Born: September 25, 1944 Birthplace: Swedesboro, N.J. Residence: Citra, FL Family: Wife, Cathy; daughter, Erica Ruygrok First Win: Don Guillermo, 1970 Started Training: 1970, Charles Town Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Park West, Gulfstream Thomas, who still ships in horses from his Ups & Downs Farm in Citra, Fla., has kept 10 stalls at Tampa Bay Downs the last four seasons. He raises his young horses at the farm with his wife, Cathy, and their daughter, Erica. Their days are spent managing the 20 or so horses they have in training, along with three stallions, seven or eight broodmares and clients‘ horses being freshened for a return to competition. Their stallion roster includes their own Hello Broadway, second in the Grade II Hutcheson Stakes in 2009; stakes winner and graded-stakes placed Forty Grams; and Mount McKinley. Hello Broadway is the sire of the family‘s My Sweet Dove, who won the 2013 Sandpiper Stakes here as a 2-yearold. Cathy and Erica also teach retired Thoroughbreds to transition to careers as dressage horses. Another key cog in the operation is track assistant Pedro Alarcon, who manages the horses at the track when Thomas is at the farm. ―I like to try to put them (his horses) where they will be competitive, because it helps their courage not to get beaten badly the first few times they run,‖ Thomas said. ―As long as you are consistent with whatever your plan is, it can work if you stay with it.‖ The Thomas planned worked last season by producing 12 winners from 52 starters. Dennis Ward Born: August 25, 1946 Birthplace: Seattle, Washington Residence: Tampa, FL Family: Wife, Jeanne; son, Wesley; grandsons, Riley and Jack; granddaughter, Denae First Win: Portland Meadows, early-1970s (Yes Father) Started Training: Portland Meadows Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Ward has been involved in racing for more than a half-century, first earning recognition as a top apprentice jockey in 1962 at Longacres in Washington state and enjoying success in New York and on the East Coast. But in recent years, he has gained considerable acclaim as the father of top trainer Wesley Ward, who won two Breeders‘ Cup races at Santa Anita in 2014. With Wesley staying home in Florida to attend a son‘s crosscountry meet, Dennis Ward received enough face time during the Breeders‘ Cup to be nominated for an Emmy Award. The elder Ward picked up the hardware after victories by Hootenanny in the Juvenile Turf and Judy the Beauty in the Filly & Mare Sprint — not to mention two seconds and a third. Dennis Ward groomed his son to follow in his footsteps, and Wesley Ward won an Eclipse Award as Outstanding Apprentice Jockey in 1984. Dennis Ward has also had a hand in helping tutor three other Eclipse Award-winning apprentice jockeys: Dale Beckner (1994), Ariel Smith (1999) and Christian Santiago Reyes (2009). Wesley was 16 when he won the Eclipse, winning 335 races. In 2009, he became the first American trainer to win a race at the Royal Ascot meeting in England; he saddled Strike the Tiger and Jealous Again on successive days with his proud father in attendance. ―It is the greatest experience I‘ve ever had at a racetrack,‖ Dennis Ward said. As a trainer, the elder Ward has saddled more than 900 winners. 50 TRAINER PROFILES Ian Wilkes Born: May 25, 1965 Birthplace: Muswellbrook, New South Wales, Australia Residence: Louisville, Kentucky Family: Wife, Tracey; children, Shelby and Brodie Started Training: 2005 First winner: 2006, Gulfstream Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Churchill Downs, Saratoga Wilkes engineered one of the most masterful training feats in memory in 2012 with Breeders‘ Cup Classic winner Fort Larned, the then-4-year-old colt he conditioned for breeder-owner Janis Whitham. On March 3, Fort Larned won the Challenger Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs for his first added-money triumph. Eight months later — after subsequent victories in the Grade III Skip Away, the Grade III Cornhusker Handicap and the Grade I Whitney Invitational at Saratoga — Wilkes led Fort Larned and jockey Brian Hernandez into the Santa Anita winner‘s circle following their hard-earned triumph in the $5-million Classic. Other Grade I winners for Wilkes include Capt. Candyman Can and Warrior‘s Reward. Wilkes grew up working on a dairy farm in New South Wales, becoming a groom and exercise rider at 16. He worked in the stables of Australian trainers Paul Sutherland, Vic Thompson, Jr. and Colin Hayes before arriving stateside to work for Carl Nafzger in 1989. Wilkes' timing couldn't have been better: He galloped Unbridled, who won both the 1990 Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic for Nafzger. After returning to Australia for three years, Wilkes rejoined Nafzger in 1993 and played a key role in the development of Nafzger's second Kentucky Derby winner, Street Sense, the Tampa Bay Derby winner who was the first horse to pull off the Breeders' Cup Juvenile-Derby double in 2006 and 2007. Joe Woodard Born: March 22, 1968 Birthplace: Louisville, KY Residence: Louisville, KY Family: Son, Austin; daughter, Caitlin Started Training: Churchill Downs, 1992 Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Keeneland, Churchill Downs, Belterra Park, Mountaineer, ThistleDown Woodard was among the top trainers at the Oldsmar oval last season, winning 13 races, but he was virtually unstoppable at Belterra Park in Cincinnati. He won the training championship by sending out 40 winners from 115 starters, a red-hot 35-percent clip. Woodard was attending the University of Louisville more than 20 years ago while pursuing a degree in criminal justice when he decided to purchase a handful of claiming horses. He received his professional trainer‘s license in 1992 and has never looked back. Woodard trains primarily for the ownership group of Louisville automobile dealer Billy Hays, his wife Donna and their son Justin, who have been among the leading owners in wins in North America the last several years. They teamed for a victory in last season‘s Pelican Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs with 7-year-old Star Harbour. The partnership began in 1998, when the Hayses sent Woodard a gelding named Gnarl who raced 140 times over an 11-year span. Woodard is rapidly approaching the 1,500-mark in career victories, including 254 in 2010 and 204 the following year. Woodard set a Churchill Downs track record in 2005 by saddling 10 consecutive winners. Some of the top horses he has trained for the Hays family include the gelding Slider, who was second to Medaglia d‘Oro in the 2003 Grade II Oaklawn Handicap; stakes winner Art Fair, who competed in the 2002 Kentucky Oaks; and the multiplestakes winning horse, Winning Connection. 51 OWNER PROFILES The lush, immaculate turf course is an attraction for top horsemen across North America 52 OWNER PROFILES Amaty Racing Stables Owner: Dennis Amaty Born: November 17, 1971 Birthplace: Elmont, New York Residence: Lake Worth, FL Tampa Trainers: Greg Griffith, Sandino Hernandez With a chance to claim a share of the 2014-2015 owners‘ title at Tampa Bay Downs, Dennis Amaty took a calculated risk by dropping his 4-year-old gelding Bennie Y Benny to the $5,000 claiming level on June 30, the final day of the meeting. The victory enabled Amaty Racing Stables to tie perennial champion Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc., atop the final standings with 23 victories apiece, and Bennie Y Benny was not claimed from the race. Amaty is the owner of Broward Aviation Services, which buys airplanes and resells parts back to the airline industry. He and trainer Sandino R. Hernandez, Jr., are boyhood friends, with Hernandez having trained horses for more than 20 years. In June of 2013 at Calder, Amaty claimed a 2-year-old filly, Nesso, for $25,000 through trainer Herman Wilensky. Amaty sent her to the West Coast, hoping to make a profit by selling her, but his plans quickly changed. Nesso placed second in stakes at Del Mar and Santa Anita and competed in the Breeders‘ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Two months later, Nesso captured the $100,000 Gasparilla Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs for newly-turned 3-year-old fillies. Amaty, who has owned Thoroughbreds for 14 years, used to dabble in pinhooking, but now he primarily claims to race, looking for future standouts such as Nesso. Amaty owns the retired mare Capitalism At Risk, who won 18 times in her career, including the 2013 U Can Do It Handicap at Calder. Amaty keeps about 15 horses in training at Tampa Bay Downs. Amaty Racing Stables won 23 races from 65 starts during the 2014-2015 meeting, with an outstanding 72-percent finishing in the money. Averill Racing LLC Owner: Rich Averill Born: October 24, 1975 Birthplace: Bradenton, FL Residence: Bradenton, FL First winner: Fun n‘ Gun, 2002, Tampa Bay Downs Family: Son, Richie; daughter, Kinsley; fiancée, Annie Tampa Trainer: Gerald Bennett Averill has wasted little time becoming a major force in Florida racing and beyond. The owner of Rich Averill Masonry, a masonry and concrete subcontracting company in nearby Bradenton, was a major player on the national scene in 2005 with his 3-year-old filly R Lady Joy. After winning the Florida Oaks on the main Tampa Bay Downs dirt surface, she strung together four consecutive in-the-money efforts in major graded stakes, highlighted by a victory in the Grade II Delaware Oaks. She capped her run by finishing third in the historic Grade I Alabama Stakes at Saratoga. Averill enjoyed another huge thrill at the Spa in July of 2014 when his mare R Free Roll won the Grade II Honorable Miss Handicap, one of three consecutive stakes victories. R Free Roll is a daughter of Jewels N Gems, who won a pair of stakes for Averill, including the 2006 Lightning City at Tampa Bay Downs. Other top Averillowned horses include Paradise Dancer, who won the Grade III Kenny Noe Jr. Handicap at Calder in 2007; stakes winner and stakes-placed Rgirldoesn‘tbluff; and R Sassy Lass, who won both the Sandpiper Stakes for 2-year-old fillies and the Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies Stakes as a 3year-old at the Oldsmar oval last season. Averill seeks to spread his enjoyment of racing by bringing in new partners and also competes on a regular basis in south Florida. 53 OWNER PROFILES Gilbert G. Campbell Owner: Gilbert G. Campbell Residence: Tyngsboro, MA Family: Wife, Marilyn; son, Gary; daughter, Susan; five grandchildren Farm Location: Williston, FL Tampa Trainer: Kathleen O‘Connell Campbell is a real estate developer in Lowell, Mass. He has been involved in the Thoroughbred industry since 1982 and has bred or raced more than 50 stakes winners, including 1996 Arlington Million winner Marlin, Blazing Sword and Ivanavinalot. Campbell owns Stonehedge Farm South in Williston, Fla., where he stands Big Bad Bernie, Factum and Revolving. The Campbells — Gilbert and his wife, Marilyn — have formed a highly successful partnership with two-time leading Tampa Bay Downs trainer Kathleen O‘Connell. Their homebred filly, Scandalous Act, competed in the 2013 Breeders‘ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita after sweeping all three races of the Florida Stallion Stakes series for fillies. Campbell bred and owned Watch Me Go, the 2011 Tampa Bay Derby winner who ran in that year‘s Kentucky Derby. In 1997, Campbell was honored as Outstanding Owner/Breeder of the Year in the nation by Thoroughbred Owners‘ and Breeders‘ Association and Florida Breeder of the Year by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders‘ and Owners‘ Association. In 1988, Campbell purchased Waldemar Farm in Williston and renamed it Stonehedge Farm South. It is one of the premier full-service farms in Florida for breeding, training and breaking horses. Campbell keeps about 200 horses at the farm, including stallions, broodmares, weanlings, yearlings and lay-ups, and another 20-30 at the track. Campbell serves on the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders‘ and Owners‘ Association Board of Directors. Glen Hill Farm Owner: Leonard H. Lavin Born: October 29, 1919 Birthplace: Chicago, IL Residence: Glencoe, IL Family: Wife, Bernice; daughters, Carol and Karen; son, Scott (deceased) Farm Location: Ocala, FL Tampa Trainer: Tom Proctor Glen Hill teamed with trainer Tom Proctor for a memorable day of championship racing at Del Mar on Nov. 28, capturing a pair of graded stakes with farm homebreds: Chiropractor, a 14-1 shot, in the Grade I Hollywood Derby, and Family Meeting, a 37-1 shot, in the Grade III Jimmy Durante Stakes. Leonard H. Lavin, founder of the Alberto-Culver hair-care products company, has won awards and honors for his philanthropic, civic and business endeavors. Lavin received the 1994 Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association‘s Florida Breeder of the Year award and is the author of a book entitled Winners Make It Happen: Reflections of a Self-Made Man. During World War II, he served four years of sea duty and participated in nine invasions. In the late 1960s, the 96-year-old Lavin purchased the former Greentree Stud Property near Ocala to serve as Glen Hill‘s 400-acre breeding operation. Lavin‘s top horses include Relaunch, a top turf runner in 1979-80 who stodd for years as the farm‘s preeminent sire. He often passed on his striking roan coat to his offspring. Relaunch sired numerous stakes winners, including 1994 Breeders‘ Cup Distaff winner One Dreamer, a 47-1 long shot. Lavin recently turned over the day-to-day operation of Glen Hill to his grandson, Craig Bernick. Glen Hill and trainer Thomas Proctor have a relationship that dates back more than 30 years. They campaigned Marketing Mix, a 5-year-old multiple-Grade I-winning mare who won more than $2 million in her career and was second in the 2012 Breeders‘ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. Glen Hill has won six Florida Cup Day races, including the 2014 and 2015 editions of the Tampa Turf Classic with Old Time Hockey. 54 OWNER PROFILES Hays, Billy, Hays, Donna and Hays, Justin Residence: Louisville, KY First Winner: Gnarl, 1996, Turfway Park Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Churchill Downs, Belterra Park, ThistleDown, Mountaineer, Ellis Park, Keeneland Prominent Louisville automobile dealer Billy Hays, his wife Donna and their son Justin have won more than two dozen owner titles at Belterra Park (formerly River Downs) alone since entering the racing game. With more than 1,600 career victories, the Hays family has emerged as one of the sport‘s major forces. From 2010-2012, the Hayses finished second to Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc., each year in victories, compiling a staggering 274 trips to the winner‘s circle in 2011. The Hayses, who own a home in nearby Tierra Verde, Fla., finished third in the 2014-2015 Tampa Bay Downs standings with 13 victories. That included a triumph by their 7-year-old Star Harbour in the Pelican Stakes. The Hays horses are trained by Joe Woodard; he and Billy Hays attended rival high schools while growing up in Louisville. Top runners for the Hays-Woodard partnership over the years, in addition to Star Harbour, include the gelding Slider, who was second to Medaglia d‘Oro in the Grade II Oaklawn Handicap in 2003; Art Fair, who competed in the 2002 Kentucky Oaks; and the multiple stakes-winning horse, Winning Connection. Billy Hays‘ father was also an automobile dealer, and Billy has four Dodge dealerships and import stores in Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana. Jagger, Inc. Owners: Jamie and Mandy Ness Residence: Odessa, FL Family: Daughters, Hannah, Emma and Jessy Smith Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream, Laurel, Penn National, Pimlico, Aqueduct, Presque Isle Downs, Monmouth, Delaware Jamie Ness is primarily known for his training prowess, but the Jagger, Inc., operation of Ness and his wife Mandy has begun to make a strong impact at Tampa Bay Downs and other racetracks. At Tampa Bay Downs, the Jagger success story goes back to the 2009-2010 meeting, when Ness sent out the then-4-year-old gelding Sneaking Uponyou to win the Pelican Stakes against the likes of 2008 Tampa Bay Derby winner Big Truck. Later that season, Sneaking Uponyou captured the Turf Dash Stakes (Ness also trained the runner-up, Probation Ready, for primary client Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc.), and the one-time claimer was even better as a 5-year-old, taking the Hilton Garden Inn Sprint on Florida Cup Day in (then) track-record time of 1:08.69 for six furlongs. But the best was yet to come; three years later, Sneaking Uponyou again won the Florida Cup Hilton Garden Inn/Hampton Inn & Suites Sprint, speeding the distance in 1:09.08, only .41 seconds off the track record. The soft-spoken Ness has won the track‘s training title each of the last nine seasons, sharing the No. 1 spot with Kathleen O‘Connell during the 2009-10 meeting and with Gerald Bennett in 2010-11. His best year came in 2012, when Ness led all North American conditioners with 395 victories. He had finished second in 2011 and 2010 with 330 and 291, respectively, and was again in the top five at the outset of the current meeting. Ness wrapped up his most recent Oldsmar title in style by winning 28 races from his last 68 starters to overtake Bennett for the title. 55 OWNER PROFILES Kinsman Stable Owner: The George M. Steinbrenner, III Family Born: July 4, 1930; died July 13, 2010 Birthplace: Rocky River, OH Family: Wife, Joan; children Hank, Jennifer, Jessica and Hal Farm Location: Ocala, FL Tampa Trainer: Greg Griffith Kinsman Stable has become a powerhouse, much like the other holdings of ―The Boss‖ — George Steinbrenner III, the late owner of the New York Yankees. Kinsman Stable maintains approximately 25 horses in training with such quality conditioners as Bill Mott and Nick Zito. Among the stable‘s most notable runners is 2005 Wood Memorial winner Bellamy Road, who became the sixth Kentucky Derby starter for Kinsman Stable. Other Kinsman homebreds include Sweet Symphony (winner of the Grade I Alabama Stakes), Beacon Shine (Flash Stakes, a Grade III at the time), and Diligence (winner of the 1997 rendition of the Grade II Tom Fool Handicap). Kinsman Stable has also had a presence at the Breeders‘ Cup with 1996 Juvenile runner-up Acceptable. Other notable runners include Bellamy Road‘s sire Concerto, who won the 1997 Jim Beam and Whirlaway Stakes and earned more than $1.3 million; and Tampa dominator Ebony Breeze, who won the Grade III Florida Oaks in 2003. Also worth mentioning is Yogi Berra, who broke his maiden in his career debut at Tampa Bay Downs last February for Jessica Steinbrenner‘s Bach Stables. Steinbrenner is best remembered as the Managing General Partner of the New York Yankees and was named Tampa‘s Citizen of the Year in 1998. No stranger to Florida racing, Steinbrenner owned Tampa Bay Downs (formerly known as Florida Downs) from 1980 through 1986.. Lambholm Stable Owner: Roy S. Lerman Born: September 6, 1943 Birthplace: New York City Family: Wife, Shirley, son, Ethan Farm Location: Ocala, FL Tampa Trainer: Roy S. Lerman Lambholm South owner Roy S. Lerman has been involved with Thoroughbreds as an owner, breeder and trainer for more than 35 years. In the spring of 2000, he purchased the late Allen Paulson‘s Ocala-based Brookside Farms South, renaming the operation Lambholm South. Five years later, he purchased historic 1,800-acre Hobeau Farm, expanding Lambholm South‘s holdings. Trainer/General Manager Junior Serna, who moved to Ocala in 1977, has overseen a training program that has produced such national champions as Slew o‘ Gold, Personal Ensign, Epitome, Flawlessly, Azeri and Speightstown. The Lambholm South name is also familiar to Tampa Bay Downs fans because of its sponsorship of major race-day events. The Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby, a Grade II, $350,000 race for 3-year-old Triple Crown candidates, will be contested March 12, 2016; Lambholm South is the first title sponsor of the Tampa Bay Derby since 1986. Lambholm South also sponsors the Grade III, $150,000 Endeavour Stakes for older fillies and mares and is presenting sponsor of the track‘s Festival Preview Day. Lerman is a successful on-track trainer; last season, he saddled his 4-year-old filly Evidently to win the Florida Cup Distaff Turf in stakes-record time. 56 OWNER PROFILES Midwest Thoroughbreds Owner: Richard Papiese Birthplace: East Side of Chicago Residence: Dyer, IN Family: Wife, Karen Farm Location: Anthony, FL Tampa Trainer: Jamie Ness On the verge of capturing its sixth consecutive North American wins title, the Midwest Thoroughbreds operation of Dyer, Ind., residents Rich and Karen Papiese entered a new realm in 2014 by winning the Breeders‘ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita with homebred 5-year-old gelding Work All Week, bred by the couple in Illinois. Work All Week was their first Breeders‘ Cup starter. Midwest unveiled another homebred superstar this year in 6-year-old gelding The Pizza Man, who won the Grade I Arlington Million XXXIII Stakes in August and finished second in the Grade I Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland. Roger Brueggemann trained Work All Week and The Pizza Man, while Jamie Ness trains the Midwest string at Tampa Bay Downs. Midwest, which has won six consecutive Tampa Bay Downs owners‘ crowns (tying last season with Amaty Racing Stables), set an Oldsmar track record with 79 victories during the 2011-12 meeting. Midwest established a North American record in 2012 with 542 victories and led all stables in purse earnings with $10,145,328. Papiese — the founder of Midwest Store Fixtures, a leader in the design, manufacturing and implementation of retail merchandising displays, fixtures and environments — joined forces with Ness in 2008. The following year, Papiese purchased Thunder Ranch in Anthony, Fla., a 137-acre facility where Midwest keeps yearlings, layups, horses recovering from minor ailments and a handful of retirees. The outfit won the 2011 Pelican Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs with See I A and won eight races in a row with Guam Typhoon, claimed for Midwest by Ness at TBD. ―We do a lot of homework, watch a lot of replays,‖ Papiese said. ―We‘re not throwing darts, but obviously you can do all the work in the world and it‘s still very difficult.‖ Cindy Patrick Residence: Brooksville, FL Family: Husband, Gary; daughter, Cheyanna Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Indiana Grand Cindy Patrick has been among the top owners at Tampa Bay Downs the past two seasons, but she has been a dominant force at Indiana Grand Race Course. With her husband, R. Gary Patrick, as trainer, Cindy won 37 races to win the title at the Shelbyville, Ind., track for the third consecutive year. In 2013, she won 29 races, one more than Maggi Moss and Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc., and improved her total to 33 in 2014. Cindy is no stranger to long-time Tampa Bay Downs fans. She was the track‘s leading apprentice jockey in 1988 and was the regular jockey on Gene, who was honored that same year by the National Horsemen‘s Benevolent and Protective Association as its Claimer of the Year. Gene lived on the family‘s 153-acre farm in Brooksville until his death at age 27. Cindy and Gary met in 1978 when she was the Princess of the Pendleton (Ore.) Roundup. He has been training for 47 years, and they have been married 30 years. Their daughter Cheyanna, 19, is a jockey who rode 26 winners at Indiana Grand. A youth barrel-racing champion, she is enrolled at the University of South Florida and hopes to become a lawyer. Cindy is the daughter of long-time trainer Charlie Ridley. In many regards, the Patricks are the quintessential blue-collar, mom-and-pop operation; they haul their own horses from track to track and Gary shoes his horses. Gary is a former saddle bronc rider. They also understand the roller-coaster aspect of the racing game. ―A lot of times, it‘s chicken today and feathers tomorrow,‖ Cindy said. ―You have to keep your head down and keep working, and that‘s what we do.‖ 57 OWNER PROFILES Ridenjac Racing (Dennis Ward) Born: August 25, 1946 Birthplace: Seattle, Washington Residence: Tampa Family: Wife, Jeanne; son Wesley; grandsons, Riley and Jack; granddaughter, Denae First Win: Portland Meadows, early-1970s (Yes Father) Started Training: Portland Meadows Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Dennis Ward is the father of Wesley Ward, the 1984 Eclipse Award winner as Outstanding Apprentice Jockey and a heralded trainer in his own right. So the elder Ward didn‘t have far to look when naming his stable after Wesley‘s three children: Riley, Denae and Jack (RI-DEN-JAC). Besides paving the road for Wesley, Dennis Ward had a hand in helping tutor three other Eclipse Award-winning apprentice jockeys: Dale Beckner (1994), Ariel Smith (1999) and Christian Santiago Reyes (2009). Dennis Ward was a top apprentice jockey in 1962 at Longacres in Washington state and also enjoyed success as a jockey in New York and on the East Coast. He stopped riding in 1968, a week after Wesley was born, and worked as a jockey‘s agent and valet while schooling Wesley on what it takes to be a championship jockey. Wesley was 16 when he won the Eclipse, winning 335 races. In 2009, he became the first American trainer to win a race at the Royal Ascot meeting in England; he saddled Strike the Tiger and Jealous Again on successive days with his proud father in attendance. In addition to training locally, Dennis Ward operates the family‘s Ward Ranch in Ocala. Ward trained Houyhnhnm Stable‘s Great Attack, winner of back-to-back editions of the Turf Sprint. Bruno Schickedanz Born: March 2, 1947 Residence: King City, Ontario, Canada Family: Wife, Elizabeth; two children Started Ownership: 1981 Tampa Trainer: Yvon Belsoeur Schickedanz is CEO of B.G. Schickedanz Homes, Inc., builders of homes all around Ontario. He entered racing in the early 1980s as a way to promote a sales competition within his multi-branch real estate company. The promotion offered a 10% interest in a Thoroughbred to the top producer at each branch. ―I went out to buy a racehorse for my employees, and realized that I didn't have one, so I bought myself one too,‖ Schickendanz told The Blood-Horse. Since his first purchase, Schickendanz has acquired about 200 horses, 60 of which are of racing age, with about half of those being 2-year-olds. He owns Schickedanz Farm near Berry, Ontario, as well as Rising Sun Stables near Ocala, Fla. His uncle is Gustav Schickedanz, who has raced Sovereign Award winners Langfuhr, Glanmire and 2003 Canadian Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year Wando. Sermon Time was the first stakes winner for Bruno Schickedanz as an owner. Sermon Time produced Wake At Noon, a multiplegrade III stakes winner who earned more than $1.6 million and was Canadian Horse of the Year in 2002. Schickedanz has also raced stakes winners Big Ruckus, Big Virg, Effective Gal, My Heart Sez, Salty Note, Whomsoever Proud and 1995 Canadian champion 3-year-old filly and champion sprinter Scotzanna. He raced Canadian champion One Way Love, champion older horse and sprinter in 2000, in partnership with John Hillier. Schickedanz was leading owner at three meets in 1999: Gulfstream Park, Woodbine and Fort Erie. 58 OWNER PROFILES Ups and Downs Farm Owner: Monte Thomas Born: September 25, 1944 Birthplace: Swedesboro, N.J. Residence: Citra, FL Family: Wife, Cathy; daughter, Erica Ruygrok Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Park West, Gulfstream Thomas began his career in Thoroughbred racing in 1963 when he moved to Charles Town in West Virginia to work with his uncle, Frank Smith. Thomas learned his trade from the ground up, He became adept at all aspects of the business, from grooming to exercising to life at the racetrack. Thomas, who ships in horses from his Ups & Downs Farm in Citra, Fla., has kept 10 stalls at Tampa Bay Downs the last four seasons. He raises his young horses at the farm with his wife, Cathy, and their daughter, Erica. Their days are spent managing the 20 or so horses they have in training, along with three stallions, seven or eight broodmares and clients‘ horses being freshened for a return to competition. The family‘s My Sweet Dove won the 2013 Sandpiper Stakes here as a 2-year-old. Thomas has a serious reputation as a horseman whose charges almost always are prepared to run their best race. ―I like to try to put them (his horses) where they will be competitive, because it helps their courage not to get beaten badly the first few times they run,‖ Thomas said. ―As long as you are consistent with whatever your plan is, it can work if you stay with it.‖ From 1986-2001, the Thomases stepped back from the racing game while Cathy pursued her show horse interests and Monte operated a thriving blacksmith operation. They also raised and sold exotic animals, such as rheas (relatives of the ostrich), wallabies (members of the kan- Winning Stables (Gerald Bennett) Born: March 12, 1944 Birthplace: Springhill, Nova Scotia Residence: Tampa, FL Family: Wife, Mary; sons, Dale and Jerry; daughter, Katharine; two grandchildren Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Thistledown Race Course, Presque Isle Downs, Indiana Grand Tampa Bay Downs Trainer : Gerald Bennett Gerald Bennett has a reputation for being able to rehabilitate injured racehorses, and that reputation brought him his biggest horse, Beau Genius. Bennett conditioned Beau Genius to victory in 13 stakes including the Haskell Invitational (GI), Philip H. Iselin Handicap (GI), Deputy Minister Handicap, Hallandale Handicap, Churchill Downs Handicap and the Olympic Stakes. Among other Bennett trainees are Secret Romeo, winner of the 2002 Super Stakes and Pelican Stakes and second to the excellent sprinter Bonapaw in the $100,000 Arlington Park Sprint Handicap; and Banker‘s Jet, winner of seven stakes and over $670,000. Bennett was a mainstay in Michigan racing, having dominated the trainer standings at Hazel Park and Detroit Race Course throughout the 1980s and at Great Lakes Downs. Gerald Bennett conditioned the filly Down From Heaven to nine straight wins at Detroit Race Course from 1988 through 1989 after claiming her for $5,000. He was leading trainer in 2005 at Great Lakes Downs with 86 wins and 50 percent of his entries finished in the money. Among his many accomplishments, Bennett has won five races in one day. Adding to his talents, Bennett also trained and rehabbed Standardbreds in Ontario, Canada. Gerald Bennett ended the 2006-2007 Tampa Bay Downs meet as the third leading trainer with 31 wins from 163 starts; on May 5, 2007, Bennett escorted his trainee Bucky's Prayer to the winner‘s circle after her victory in the Lightning City Stakes. Bennett finished the 2010-2011 Tampa meet tied as leading trainer with Jamie Ness with 61 victories apiece. His Crimson Knight finished second in the 2011 Tampa Bay Derby at odds of 86-1. 59 RECORDS Ring Weekend and jockey Daniel Centeno are home free in the 2014 GII Tampa Bay Derby 60 RECORDS SET ON A SINGLE CARD OWNER, TRAINER & JOCKEY WINS ON A SINGLE CARD JOCKEYS WINS ON A SINGLE CARD JOCKEY WINS DATE OWNER, TRAINER & JOCKEY WINS Richard DePass 7 15-Mar-80 Christos Gatis (Owner), William Mitchell 3 Rick Luhr 5 10-Dec-83 (Trainer), Manoel Cruz (Jockey) Jorge Guerra 5 30-Dec-96 Midwest Thoroughbreds (Owner), Jamie Ness Herson Sanchez 5 2-Jan-96 Jesse Garcia 5 4-May-96 Joe Judice 5 21-Apr-03 Daniel Centeno 5 22-Feb-09 John Velazquez 5 9-Mar-13 Sam Cronk (Trainer), Sean Jones (Jockey) 3 Antonio Gallardo 5 6-Dec-14 Kirk Ziadie (Trainer), Sally Mitchellhill (Jockey) 3 Antonio Gallardo 5 31-Dec-14 K. O'Connell (Trainer), Antonio Gallardo (Jockey) 3 3 (Trainer), Ronnie Allen, Jr. (Jockey) TRAINER & JOCKEY WINS ON A SINGLE CARD TRAINER & JOCKEY WINS TRAINER WINS ON A SINGLE CARD TRAINER WINS DATE LARGEST PAYOFFS PER WAGER Kathleen O'Connell 4 23-Feb-03 Jamie Ness 4 3-Mar-09 $2.00 Win Jamie Ness 4 19-Jan-12 $2.00 Daily Double $6,638.60 Don Rice 3 13-Feb-97 $2.00 Exacta $3,648.20 Sam Cronk 3 28-Dec-97 $1.00 Trifecta $54,155.60 William Mitchell 3 10-Apr-01 $2.00 Perfecta $9,754.00 Duane Knipe 3 24-Apr-01 $2.00 Quinella $5,067.60 Richard Ciardullo, Jr. 3 14-Jan-03 $2.00 Pick 3 $41,555.80 Greg Griffith 3 31-Mar-03 $2.00 Pick 4 $248,045.20 Rick Slomkowski 3 25-Jan-07 $1.00 Superfecta $154,377.50 Kirk Ziadie 3 23-Mar-07 $.10 Superfecta $38,169.08 Charles Fontana 3 2-Apr-07 $1.00 Super High Five $60,388.00 Peter Wasiluk, Jr. 3 26-Jan-08 $1.00 Pick 5 $88,417.10 Rick Slomkowski 3 28-Mar-08 Jamie Ness 3 1-Mar-09 Anthony Pecoraro 3 12-Dec-09 Ian Wilkes 3 23-Jan-13 Rory Barron 3 15-Mar-13 Kathleen O'Connell 3 17-Dec-14 Gerald Bennett 3 7-Mar-15 Gerald Bennett 3 14-Mar-15 WAGER 61 PAYOFF $249.00 RECORDS Main Track Distance Horse 2 furs Silver Dollar Boy 3 furs Hot Star Wynn Dot Comma 4 furs Camp Izard 4-1/2 furs Geronimo J. 5 furs Jr‘s Exchange 5-1/2 furs Lady of Greatness 6 furs It‘s Me Mom 6-1/2 furs Action Andy 7 furs Catalina Red Abt. 1m Prosico 1m 40y Bear Always Abt. 1m 40y Ravencliff 1-1/16 m Bold Start 1-1/8 m Position Leader 1-3/16 m Warning Flag 1-1/4 m Saffron Hall 1-3/8 m Bandshee Brad 1-1/2 m Royal Jacopo 1-5/8 m Most Valiant 1-3/4 m Our Day 1-7/8 m Best Hearted 2 miles Boss Man Jarett 2/1/2016 Mystic Fox Turf Age Weight Time 2 120 :21.8 2 117 :33.40 2 118 :33.40 2 122 :46.8 2 120 :52.8 5 119 :56.57 6 118 01:02.79 4 117 01:08.67 5 121 01:15.47 2 120 01:21.40 4 115 01:37.5 6 118 01:39.07 5 118 01:40.5 6 116 01:42.8 4 122 01:50.6 8 126 01:59.6 6 116 02:05.10 7 118 02:20.3 6 118 2:33 11 110 02:48.2 4 119 03:00.2 5 118 03:18.3 10 118 03:30.3 5 116 03:37.6 Date Jan. 18, 1990 Feb. 14, 1980 Apr. 21, 2003 May 1, 1993 Mar. 16, 1984 Apr. 2, 2011 Mar. 14, 2012 Apr. 7, 2012 Mar. 10, 2012 Dec. 27, 2014 Mar. 24, 2007 Apr. 20, 2012 Jan. 29, 2008 Mar. 6, 2010 Apr. 9, 1989 Jan. 25, 1986 Mar. 23, 2013 Mar. 26, 2005 Mar. 12, 1955 Mar. 29, 1997 Mar. 20, 1957 Mar. 22, 1986 Apr. 24, 1999 Mar. 27,1988 Steeplechase Distance Abt. 2M 1/16 Horse Red Classic Age Weight 6 154 Time Distance Horse Age Weight Time Date 5 Fur Bold Thunder 5 116 :54.63 1/10/2015 Abt 5 Fur Charlie Papa 6 118 :56.04 4/21/2007 One Mile Lucky JJ 3 115 1:33.79 2/12/2000 Abt One Mile Alley Oop Oop 5 120 1:34.37 1/19/2013 1M 1/16 Legs Galore 4 122 1:39.65 2/20/1999 Abt 1M 1/16 Lentenor 5 118 1:40.95 12/23/2011 1M 1/8 Special Envoy 4 120 1:46.55 3/18/2015 Abt 1M 1/8 Zagora 5 122 1:46.97 3/10/2012 Abt 1M 3/8 Hertzalot 3 117 2:16.35 4/6/2014 Abt 1M 1/2 Top Senor 6 118 2:31.30 2/26/2002 Age Weight Time Arabians Distance Horse Date 5 Furs Keen Edge 3 117 1:05.1 3/12/1989 5 1/2 Furs Mr Full Service 10 118 1:12.25 1/20/2002 6 Furs FMR Country Doc 4 116 1:18.2 4/23/1995 7 Furs Mucho Caliente 4 122 1:32.59 3/11/2000 Abt 1M (T) Smoke N Kisses 5 122 1:48.96 4/1/1999 1M 70 Yds Sams Bey 4 116 1:54.1 2/12/1989 1M 1/16 Patriot Missle 6 122 1:56.0 3/16/1997 1M 1/8 Redames Ben Rabi 7 122 2:00.1 1/28/1986 1M 1/4 Oh By Gosh 5 126 2:19.4 2/9/1992 1M 1/2 Tikisflaming Jet 6 126 2:52.3 1/20/1990 Date 3:43.82 3/04/2000 62 RECORDS SEASON RECORDS Season Largest Handle ATTENDANCE RECORDS Largest Attendance Attendance Date Event 2014-2015 $10,587,183 (March 7, 2015) 10,379 (May 2, 2015) 12,746 March 15, 2008 Tampa Bay Derby Day 2013-2014 $10,249,574 (March 8,2014) 10,359 (March 7, 2014) 11,025 March 14, 2010 Tampa Bay Derby Day 2012-2013 $10,291,827.76* (March 9, 2013) 10,476 (March 9, 2013) 11,014 May 5, 2007 Kentucky Derby Day (Street Sense) 2011-2012 $9,183,788* (March 10, 2012) 9,247 (March 10, 2012) 10,755 March 12, 2011 Tampa Bay Derby Day 2010-2011 $10,949,948* (March 12, 2011) 10,755 (March 12, 2011) 10,690 May 3, 2008 Kentucky Derby Day 2009-2010 $10,807,264.71 (March 13, 2010) 11,025 (March 13, 2010) 10,593 March 17, 2007 Tampa Bay Derby Day 2008-2009 $9,165,514* (March 14, 2009) 10,420 (March 14, 2009) 10,476 March 9, 2013 Tampa Bay Derby Day 2007-2008 $10,282,952* (March 15, 2008) 12,746 (March 15, 2008) 10,451 March 19, 2006 Tampa Bay Derby Day 2006-2007 $10,916,634* (March 17, 2007) 11,014 (May 5, 2007) 10,420 March 14, 2009 Tampa Bay Derby Day 2005-2006 $10,529,973* (March 18, 2006) 10,451 (March 18, 2006) 10,311 May 4, 2013 Kentucky Derby Day 2004-2005 $6,889,834* (March 19, 2005) 10,246 (March 19, 2005) 10,246 March 19, 2005 Tampa Bay Derby Day 2003-2004 $5,353,782* (March 14, 2004) 8,131 (March 14, 2004) 10,144 May 2, 2009 Kentucky Derby Day 2002-2003 $3,880,693* (March 8, 2003) 8,340 (May 3, 2003) 9,803 May 7, 2005 Kentucky Derby Day 2001-2002 $3,396,237* (March 17, 2002) 8,332 (May 4, 2002) 9,765 April 8, 1990 Closing Day (Pick 6) 2000-2001 $3,877,477* (March 18, 2001) 8,133 (May 5, 2001) 9,308 May 6, 2000 Kentucky Derby Day 9,247 March 10, 2012 Tampa Bay Derby Day 9,199 May 1, 1999 Kentucky Derby Day 9,028 May 5, 2012 Kentucky Derby Day 8,669 May 2, 1998 Kentucky Derby Day/Turf Course Unveiling 8,533 March 20, 1998 Tampa Bay Derby Day * co-mingled handle 63 STAKES HISTORIES It’s Me Mom, ridden by Willie Martinez, gives backers64 a reason to celebrate with her 2011 Minaret Stakes score STAKES HISTORIES HOW DOES TAMPA BAY DOWNS NAME ITS STAKES? The Names of Tampa Bay Downs The names of some stakes races at Tampa Bay Downs have obvious origins: the Tampa Bay Derby, the Florida Cup Races, and so forth. The Florida Oaks is named as such simply because races for 3-year-old fillies run at classic distances are all referred to as ―Oaks;‖ the male divisions run under the much more widely-recognized ―Derby‖ headings. The Florida Cup is comprised of six races restricted to Florida-breds. The Turf Dash earned its name from the fact that it is a short race run on the lawn. However, some of the stakes races run at Tampa Bay Downs leave patrons scratching their heads and wondering, ―Now, where did that name come from?‖ The explanations are quite simple… Local Color The Pelican Stakes and Sandpiper Stakes are both named after animals common to the Tampa Bay Area; the Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas Stakes are named for the counties surrounding Tampa Bay Downs. The Lightning City Stakes is named after widespread, albeit unproven, idea that Tampa Bay is the lightning capital of the world. The Suncoast Stakes is named for the region of Florida in which Tampa Bay Downs is located; with year-round sunny weather, horsemen are happy to return to Tampa each winter for the Thoroughbred racing. The Minaret Stakes gets its name from the spires found at the University of Tampa. University of Tampa‘s Minarets Space Race The Challenger and Endeavour Stakes are named after space shuttles that have launched in previous years. Friends from the Past The Chris Thomas Turf Classic, which was discontinued after the 2009 running, was named for the prominent late sports talk radio host and Thoroughbred owner who used to frequent the Oldsmar oval. The Sam F. Davis Stakes was named after the former Tampa Bay Downs President who helped the track regain financial stability and brought in a period of growth for the track. Chris Thomas Space Shuttle Endeavour Florida Fun The Gasparilla Stakes is named for Tampa‘s annual Gasparilla Fest, which celebrates the spirit of legendary pirate Jose Gaspar. It is rumored that Gaspar defected from the Spanish Navy in 1873. Gaspar took the pirate name ―Gasparilla‖ and set up his den off of Florida‘s west coast, allegedly plundering vessels in the Gulf of Mexico for 38 years.* Lovely Lass Jose Gaspar* The Wayward Lass Stakes is the only stakes at Tampa Bay Downs named after a horse. Wayward Lass, who was the 1981 Eclipse Award-winning 3-year-old filly, was bred in Florida by Hall of Fame trainer Horatio Luro, but she never raced at Tampa Bay Downs. 1981‘s Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Wayward Lass 65 * THE LEGEND OF GASPARILLA: MYTH AND HISTORY ON FLORIDA‘S WEST COAST by André-Marcel d‘Ans Translated by Marie-Joèle Ingalls The Challenger Formerly The Budweiser Challenger Stakes The Challenger Stakes WINNER 2015 General a Rod (1:42.89) 2014 Tulira Castle (1:43.68) 2013 Flatter This (1:44.90) 2012 Fort Larned (1:42.93) 2011 Colizeo (1:42.94) 2010 Bold Start (1:42.83)## 2009 Fierce Wind (1:45.01) 2008 Wayzata Bay (1:44.82) 2007 Istan (1:43.64) 2006 Cherokee Prince (1:43.13) 2005 Tap Day (1:44.58) 2004 Attack the Books (1:44) 2003 Admiral Lance (1:38.58) 2002 Classic Case (1:36.16) 2001 First Spear (1:36.56) 2000 Lucky J J (1:33.79)# 1999 Marquette (1:35.16)** 1998 Sejm Run (1:25.1) 1997 Favorable Regard (1:24.4)* 1991 Lee N Otto (1:49.4)% 1990 Darian's Reason (1:47) 1989 Slew of Angels 1988 Storm Predictions 1987 Strike the Knight JOCKEY John Velazquez Angel Serpa Antonio Gallardo Ronnie Allen, Jr. Willie Martinez Willie Martinez Daniel Centeno Luis Gonzalez Jose Ferrer Mike Allen Jose Velez Derek Bell Pedro Rodriguez T.D. Houghton Chris DeCarlo Pedro Rodriguez Jean-Luc Samyn Luis Gonzalez Kevin Whitley Willie Martinez Eduardo Nunez Ricardo Lopez Steve Gaffalione Herson Sanchez $60,000 Guaranteed 4-Yr-Olds-and-Up 1 1/16 Miles OWNER Skychai Racing/Starlight Curtis C. Green Blackacre Farms, Inc. Janis Whitham Wertheimer and Frere Lawrence E. Carroll Minor Stables World Thoroughbred Darpat S.L. Stables Volar Corporation Edward Evans Michael Crowe James Little Stonerside Stable Peachtree Stable Richard Ciardullo, Sr. J.R. Cavanaugh Harvey Tenenbaum Suzanne Gladden Tedford M. Randolf Schweiger Stable, Inc. Sam-Son Farm Three G Stable J.M. Cutrona TRAINER Todd Pletcher James DiVito Kathleen O'Connell Ian Wilkes Todd Pletcher Kenneth McPeek William Phipps Judi Hicklin William Mott Ron Allen, Sr. Mark Hennig David Hinsley James Little Mark Casse Todd Pletcher Richard Ciardullo, Jr. Richard Violette Julian Canet Marshall Novak Glenn Wismer R.J. Richards, Jr. James E. Day Luis Olivares John F. Reading 2nd Old Time Hockey Nicklaus Way Nicklaus Way (DH) Wiki Jardim J's Sundance Halo Fearless Vision Riversrunrylee Anglers Reef Seek Gold Above the Wind Native Hawk Askforaraise Red Masque Creek's Shore Cool N Crafty Belfast Appeal Rock and Roll Chin Up Randy Gold Peak Saratoga Spender 3rd Neck 'n Neck Managed Account Argentine Tango (DH) Imperial Czar Yummy with Butter Birdrun Paradise Dancer Imawildandcrazyguy Cherokee Prince Nightmare Affair Attack the Books Burning Roma North Broad AWOL Soldier A.P. Topper Exclusive Dawn Whatkindadealisthis Roguish Prince Wilt the Tilt Striding Ruler Stutz Blackkat Mitigated Bid * -- Reinstated, 3-year-olds ## -- Stakes, track record # -- Turf stakes record, 1 mile ** -- First turf running, 1 mile % -- Final 2-year-ol,d running 66 General a Rod The $60,000 Challenger Stakes Fastest Time: 1:33.79 (turf) 1:42.83 (dirt) LUCKY J J (2000) BOLD START (2010) Slowest Time: 1:38.58 (turf) 1:49.4 (dirt) ADMIRAL LANCE (2003) LEE N OTTO (1991) Longest Priced Winner: $ 14.40 (turf) $ 61.60 (dirt) FAVORABLE REGARD (1997) CHEROKEE PRINCE (2006) Shortest Priced Winner: $ 3.20 DARIAN‘S REASON (1990) Closest Winning Margin: NECK (turf) HEAD (dirt) CLASSIC CASE (2002) ATTACK THE BOOKS (2004) Largest Winning Margin: 7 ½ Lengths DARIAN‘S REASON (1990) Shortest Price Loser: $ .70 LEE N OTTO (1991); WIKI (2012) Track Condition: FIRM FAST All turf runnings All dirt runnings Richest Purse: 2004 (dirt) $75,000 (2004); became $60,000 in 2011 Other Notes: General a Rod competed in all three legs of the 2014 Triple Crown, finishing fourth in the Preakness. His trainer, Todd Pletcher, has won the Challenger three times. Tulira Castle is a son of War Pass, the winner of the 2007 Bessemer Trust Breeders‘ Cup Juvenile. Fort Larned used his 2012 Challenger victory as a springboard, culminating in a Breeders‘ Cup Classic victory at Santa Anita. Fort Larned also won the Grade III Skip Away at Gulfstream (in track-record time); the Grade III Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap; and the Grade I Whitney Invitational Handicap at Saratoga. The Challenger started out at 1 1/16 miles on the dirt for 2-year-olds from 1987 – 1991. The 1988 Challenger winner, Storm Predictions, returned the following year to win the Tampa Bay Derby. The Challenger was not run from 1992 –1996, and was reinstated for the 1996 – 1997 season for 3-year-olds at 7 furlongs. In 1999 the race was run at a mile on the turf. The 2004 race was put back on the dirt for older horses. The 2006 renewal marked a track and stakes record for Cherokee Prince with Mike Allen aboard for trainer Ron Allen, Sr. Another member of the Allen family, Ronnie Jr., was aboard Fort Larned in 2012. Willie Martinez has ridden three winners of the Challenger: Lee N Otto in 1991, Bold Start in 2010 in stakes and track-record time and Colizeo in 2011. The 2010 Belmont Stakes winner, Drosselmeyer, finished fourth in the 2011 Challenger; he went on to win the 2011 Breeders‘ Cup Classic. Istan, the 2007 Challenger winner trained by Hall of Fame conditioner William Mott, went on to win a pair of Grade III stakes later that year. 67 Lambholm South Endeavour Formerly the Endeavour Breeders’ Cup The Endeavour Stakes Grade III WINNER JOCKEY 2015 Testa Rossi (1:42.04)** $150,000 F/M 4-and-Up 1 1/16 Miles (Turf) OWNER TRAINER 2nd 3rd Irad Ortiz, Jr. Covello, Coleman & Doheny Chad Brown Hard Not to Like Lots o' Lex 2014 Cloud Scapes (1:42.75) Erick Rodriguez Pin Oak Stud H. Graham Motion Wholelottashakin Floral Romance 2013 Old Tune (1:41.48) Joel Rosario Stud TNT Todd Pletcher Appealing Cat Last Full Measure 2012 Zagora (1:40.92) Javier Castellano Martin S. Schwartz Chad Brown Exclusive Love Keertana 2011 Silver Reunion (1:43.98) Ramon Dominguez Gov. Brereton C. Jones H. Graham Motion C.S. Silk Denomination Chiefswood Stable Eric Coatrieux Cure for Sale (ARG) Coulee Jose Lezcano R. McCauley and C. Purcell Eddie Kenneally Elusive Lady Sousaphone Frank C. Calabrese Wayne Catalano Lear's Princess Meribel John Velazquez Green Hills Farm Todd Pletcher Bright Abundance Warrior Girl 2006 My Lordship (1:40.26)# Cornelio Velasquez 2010 Lomaki (1:46.39) 2009 Ballymore Lady (1:42.37) Chris DeCarlo 2008 Dreaming of Anna (1:42.38)^ Cornelio Velasquez 2007 Cassydora (1:43.05) Live Oak Plantation William Mott Laurafina Amorama 2005 Delta Princess (1:43.54) Herberto Castillo Saud bin Khaled William Mott Fast Cookie Lentil 2004 Madeira Mist (1:43.54)* Edgar Prado Skymarc Farm, Inc. Christophe Clement Something Ventured Coney Kitty 2003 Wander Mon (1:50.89) Manoel Cruz Jaime Carrion Edward Plesa, Jr. Strait From Texas Kimster 2002 Chausson Poire (1:50.40) Tommy Pompell Pia M. Kirkham Duane Knipe Kelly Bag Golden Antigua 2001 Cybil (1:48.48) Felix Ortiz Carol F. Dooner J.J. Graci Megans Bluff Golden Saint 2000 Office Miss (1:48.93) Joe Bravo Sam Morell Gary Sciacca Seducer Diablo's First Lady After getting carried out in deep stretch, 2014 Florida Oaks winner Testa Rossi is elevated to first place in the Endeavour via disqualification.. ^ -- Became Grade III in 2008 # -- Stakes record * -- Now run at 1 1/16-mile ** -- Hard Not to Like DQ'd from 1st 68 T The Grade III $150,000 Lambholm South Endeavour Stakes Fastest Time: 1:40.26 MY LORDSHIP (2006) Slowest Time 1:51.56 CLOUD SCAPES (2014) Longest Priced Winner: $ 24.40 CYBIL (2001) Shortest Priced Winner: $ 3.80 CASSYDORA (2007), ZAGORA (2012) Closest Winning Margin: Nose OFFICE MISS (2000), DREAMING OF ANNA (2008) Largest Winning Margin: 3 Lengths CASSYDORA (2007) Shortest Price Loser: $ .20 MEGANS BLUFF (2001) Track Condition: FIRM All but 2005 and 2011 (good) and 2010 (yielding) Richest Purse: 2008, 2012-present $150,000 Other Notes: Testa Rossi became the first Grade III Florida Oaks winner to return to Oldsmar to win the Endeavour while providing trainer Chad Brown with his second victory in the turf test for older fillies and mares. The disqualification of runnerup Hard Not to Like from first was the first in the history of the race. Breeder-owner Josephine Abercrombie‘s Pin Oak Stud,and trainer H. Graham Motion, who won with Cloud Scapes in 2014, combined in 2002 to win the Grade III Tampa Bay Derby with Equality. Cloud Scapes was the third consecutive Endeavour winner to add the Grade III Hillsborough to her ledger later in the meeting. The 2013 winner, Old Tune, became the first Brazilian-bred distaffer and fourth foreign-bred horse to win the Endeavour. Old Tune‘s trainer Todd Pletcher also won both races in 2007 with Cassydora. The 2012 Endeavour winner, Zagora, cemented her reputation as the nation‘s top turf mare with subsequent victories in the Grade III Hillsborough and Gallorette, the Grade II Ballston Spa and the prestigious Breeders‘ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita. She won the year-end Eclipse Award as the best in her category. Hall of Fame trainer William Mott won the Endeavour in back-to-back years: in 2005 with Delta Princess and 2006 with My Lordship. Dreaming of Anna — the 2006 Eclipse Award Juvenile Filly champion — edged Lear‘s Princess by a nose under jockey Cornelio Velasquez in 2008, the first year the Endeavour was a graded stakes. . It was the second Endeavour victory for Velasquez, who was aboard My Lordship in 2006. Cloud Scapes was the 100th lifetime stakes winner for her sire, Smart Strike. 69 The Florida Cup Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies—3 Year Olds $75,000 7 Furlongs Florida Cup Sophomore Fillies $75,000 3-Year-Olds 7 Furlongs WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2nd 3rd 2015 R Sassy Lass (1:23.31) Antonio Gallardo Averill/Silver Oak/Kaufman Kirk Ziadie Coco's Wildcat Royal Jewely 2014 Holiday Magic (1:23.20) Juan Leyva Pinnacle, Hendricks, Justice William Kaplan Quick as a Bunny Legal Laura 2013 Putitinmypocket (1:25.39) Juan Leyva Pinnacle/Wm. Kaplan William Kaplan Cindys Casino Cotton Pickin 2012 Xunlei (1:23.17) Leandro Goncalves Gold Mark Farm Dale Romans Citizen Advocate Backstage Magic 2011 My Sunshine Gal (1:22.75) * Ronnie Allen, Jr. Wisteria Lane Stable Derek Ryan Devilish Lady White Merlot 2010 Dances With Ashley (1:23.1 Elvis Trujillo Denholtz Stables Martin Wolfson Island Time Joanie's Catch 2009 Snow Lass (1:23.78) R. Homeister, Jr. Bridlewood Farm Lynne M. Scace Sweet Yulianna Brinca 2008 Moonshine Alice (1:24.29) Andrew Ramgeet Kenneth McFarland Gerald Bennett Dee's Rose Tight Precision 2007 Trainee (1:25.71) Jose Lezcano Glen Hill Farm Thomas Proctor Suaveness Saint Barbara 2006 Quelle Surprise (1:24.03) T.D. Houghton Haras Santa Maria deAraras Richard Ciardullo, Sr. Love Boot Running Lass 2005 Running Bobcats (1:24.87) Julio Garcia Gatrou Farm Rodolfo Garcia Forever Brilliant British Event 2004 Chenia (1:26.73) Russell Woolsey Novak and Richard Marshall Novak Bird Chatter Runaway Rizzi 2003 Just Bill Me (1:24.45) R. Homeister, Jr. J. Reynolds & D. Dwyer Enrique Alonso Ozilda's Nancy Lee Sara's Yankee Girl * -- stakes record R Sassy Lass wins her second stakes race of the meeting for trainer Kirk Ziadie with Antonio Gallardo in the irons. 70 The Florida Cup $75,000 Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies Fastest Time 1:22.75 MY SUNSHINE GAL (2011) Slowest Time 1:26.73 CHENIA (2004) Longest Priced Winner $61.00 QUELLE SURPRISE (2006) Shortest Priced Winner $4.20 JUST BILL ME (2003) Closest Winning Margin NECK CHENIA (2004) Longest Winning Margin 7 ¾ Lengths JUST BILL ME (2003) Shortest Price Loser $ .70 FOREVER BRILLIANT (2005) Track Condition Fast All Runnings Richest Purse $85,000 2007 71 The Florida Cup Florida Cup Sophomore Turf $75,000 3-Year-Olds 1 1/16 Miles (Turf) WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2nd 3rd 2015 World Approval (1:42.21) Rafael Hernandez Mark Casse Jakob's Way Prince Vincenzo 2014 Ex Pirate (1:43.42) Daniel Centeno Live Oak Plantation Averill Racing, Clark Freeman Ralph Ziadie I'm the Lucky One Best Plan Yet 2013 Boy of Summer (1:43.67) Daniel Centeno Lone Star LLC Rodolfo Garcia China Holiday Balino 2012 Star Channel (1:41.20) * Pedro Cotto, Jr. GDS Racing Stable Todd Pletcher Didn't Take It Crafty Unicorn 2011 Extensive (1:43.81) Leandro Goncalves Glen Hill Farm Thomas Proctor Master Dunker Dan's My Man 2010 Thunder Brew (1:42.39) Victor Lebron Roman Hill Farm, LLC Anthony Pecoraro Gator Tiger Saint Judge 2009 Tamborim (1:43.05) Daniel Centeno Haras Santa Maria deAraras William Mott Duke of Mischief Cheeks Malone 2008 El Sultry Sun (1:43.45) Jose Velez, Jr. Live Oak Plantation John C. Kimmel Gibbler's Gold Waywardwillie 2007 Soldier's Dancer (1:42.71) Sebastian Madrid Herman Heinlein David Vivian A Bit of Madness Fair Weather Stan 2006 Mr. Silver (1:42.61) Abel Castellano, Jr. Thorobeam Farms Edward Plesa, Jr. Go Between World Battle 2005 Nicandro (1:41.73) Jesse Garcia Mary Beth Thomas Myra Mora Rich In Spirit Shoot Out 2004 Keystone Point (1:42.58) Joseph Rocco, Jr. Mouttet & Hoo Kirk Ziadie Indigo Flyer Soldier of Faine 2003 Hear No Evil (1:42.85) Eduardo Nunez Jacks or Better Farm Kenneth Decker Amon Regal Bear * -- stakes record World Approval hails from an impressive family: dam Win Approval is the mother of three $1-million-plus earners. 72 The Florida Cup The Florida Cup $75,000 Sophomore Turf Fastest Time: 1:41.20 STAR CHANNEL (2012) Slowest Time 1:43.81 EXTENSIVE (2011) Longest Priced Winner $ 77.00 NICANDRO (2005) Shortest Priced Winner $ 3.20 SOLDIER‘S DANCER (2007) Closest Winning Margin Head BOY OF SUMMER (2013) Largest Winning Margin 2 3/4 Lengths STAR CHANNEL (2012), EX PIRATE (2014) Shortest Price Loser $ .30 GO BETWEEN (2006) Track Condition Firm All runnings except 2013 (good) Richest Purse $ 85,000 2007 73 The Florida Cup Florida Cup Soph. Colts/Geldings WINNER 2015 Charlie's Brother (1:23.49) $75,000 3-Year-Olds 7 Furlongs JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2nd 3rd Harry Vega Stanley Moles/Starr Stables Lynne Scace Fast Flying Rumor Fancy Man 2014 Prudhoe Bay (1:22.58) Angel Serpa Rustlewood Farm, Inc. Edward Plesa, Jr. Brothersofthetime C. Zee 2013 City of Weston (1:23.52) Paco Lopez Cloud Nine Lumoni Antonio Sano Ruler of Love Risk Factor 2012 Tarpy's Goal (1:23.52) Leandro Goncalves Mike Tarp Dale Romans Midnight Serenade Indirectly A.P. 2011 Manicero (1:22.13) * 2010 Thank U Philippe (1:22.37) Paco Lopez Leo Azpurua, Sr. Leo Azpurua, Jr. Turbo Compressor Jaggermonster Elvis Trujillo Kramer Stables, et al Martin Wolfson My Charming Clyde Good Lord 2009 Bee Cee Cee (1:22.80) Daniel Centeno J. Robert Harris, Jr. Edward Plesa, Jr. Biblionico Golf Pal 2008 Repenting (1:22.79) Daniel Centeno Balkrisna Sukharan Jamie Ness Brother Joey Mr. Flatter 2007 Whiskey Lit (1:25.07) Rajiv Maragh Rookie Stables Jane Cibelli Steelix Chief Thief 2006 Electrify (1:23.25) Abel Castellano, Jr. Padua Stables Edward Plesa, Jr. Vanilla Scoop R Smoken Star 2005 Bernie Blue (1:24.20) Roberto Perez Pyrite Stables Miguel Feliciano Lite Brigade Roman Candles 2004 Weigelia (1:24.45) Aurelio Toribio Joseph Balsamo Manuel Azpurua Avid Skier Spirit of Montreal Robert DuBois Douglas Potter Who's Crying Now Paris Adventure 2003 My Champion (1:24.09) J.J. Delgado * -- stakes record Veteran jockey Harry Vega and Charlie‘s Brother reward trainer Lynne M. Scace with a fifth Florida Cup win. 74 The Florida Cup The Florida Cup $75,000 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Sophomore Fastest Time: 1:22.13 MANICERO (2011) Slowest Time: 1:25.07 WHISKEY LIT (2007) Longest Priced Winner: $126.40 MY CHAMPION (2003) Shortest Priced Winner: $ 3.60 ELECTRIFY (2006), MANICERO (2011) Closest Winning Margin: NOSE CITY OF WESTON (2013) Largest Winning Margin: 10 1/2 Lengths REPENTING (2008) Shortest Priced Loser: $ .70 ANYTHINGYOUWANT (2009) Track Condition: Fast All runnings Richest Purse: $ 85,000 2008 75 The Florida Cup Florida Cup Distaff Turf $75,000 F/M 4-and-Up 1 1/16 Miles (Turf) WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2nd 3rd 2015 Evidently (1:40.93) * Rafael Hernandez Lambholm Stable Roy Lerman E B Ryder Cuppy Cake 2014 Cuppy Cake (1:41.47) Ricardo Feliciano Roman Hill Farm, LLC Anthony Pecoraro E B Ryder Lori's Store (DQ from 1) 2013 Hooh Why (1:42.56) Ronnie Allen, Jr. Hoffman, M. & Trostrud, E. Rick Slomkowski Inaugurate Sweet Little Lion 2012 Hooh Why (1:41.46) R. Homeister, Jr. Estate of Gail Gee, Hoffman Shirley Girten-Drake Unbridled Humor Another Smokey 2011 Trip for A.J. (1:44.04) Paco Lopez Peter D. Fuller Milton Wolfson Wild Mia Ruling Class 2010 Closeout (1:41.91) Jesus Castanon Glen Hill Farm Thomas Proctor Scolara Many Kisses 2009 Quiet Meadow (1:42.30) Elvis Trujillo Hidden Brook Chad Brown Scolara Azura 2008 Bayou's Lassie (1:43.05) Daniel Centeno Jacks or Better Farm Christophe Clement Inhonorofjohnnie Adif'rntTune/Jaunty Gale 2007 Quite a Bride (1:42.30) Carlos Montalvo Haras Santa Maria deAraras William Mott Prop Me Up A Different Tune 2006 Thetactics Ofdance (1:42.70) Eddie Castro Preferred Pals,Wachtel Stbl. William Mott Pattiano Changing World 2005 Joyful Ballad (1:42.05) Jose Lezcano Glen Hill Farm Thomas Proctor Marwood Vidlocity 2004 Skip to Savannah (1:42.12) Joe Judice Pinky Mendoza William Houle Formal Miss Mrs. M 2003 Chef's Choice (1:42.65) Tommy Pompell Alan Amato Don Rice Cellar's Shiraz Laurica * -- stakes record Evidently sets a stakes record of 1:40.93, giving Lambholm Stable and trainer Roy Lerman a cherished victory. Rafael M. Hernandez is the jockey. 76 The Florida Cup $75,000 Pleasant Acres Stallions Distaff Turf Stakes Fastest Time: 1:40.93 EVIDENTLY (2015) Slowest Time: 1:44.04 TRIP FOR A. J. (2011) Longest Priced Winner: $ 39.40 EVIDENTLY (2015) Shortest Priced Winner: $ 2.80 TRIP FOR A.J. (2011) Closest Winning Margin: Head HOOH WHY (2012 AND 2013), CUPPY CAKE (2014) Largest Winning Margin: 2 ¼ Lengths QUITE A BRIDE (2007) Shortest Price Loser: $ .50 SCOLARA (2009) Track Condition: Firm All runnings except 2013 (GOOD) Richest Purse: $ 85,000 2007 77 The Florida Cup Florida Cup Turf Classic $75,000 4-Year-Olds-and-Up 1 1/8 Miles (Turf) WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2nd 3rd 2015 Old Time Hockey (1:47.72) Ronnie Allen, Jr. Glen Hill Farm Thomas Proctor I'm the Lucky One Allie's Event 2014 Old Time Hockey (1:48.87) Ronnie Allen, Jr. Glen Hill Farm Thomas Proctor Racing Aptitude Bad Debt 2013 Hobbs (1:49.22) Daniel Centeno Peter D. Kelly Kathy Mongeon Star Channel Bad Debt 2012 Roman Tiger (1:48.10) Angel Serpa Dennis Manning Dennis Manning Vanquisher Slew's Answer 2011 Slew's Answer (1:50.16) Leandro Goncalves Live Oak Plantation H. Graham Motion Blazen Vanquisher 2010 Picou (1:47.00) * Elvis Trujillo John Eaton & Steve Laymon Chad Brown Allie's Event Vanquisher 2009 Fearless Eagle (1:48.09) Elvis Trujillo Isaac Muhtar Edward Plesa, Jr. Marquet Cat Ruff and Ready 2008 Soldier's Dancer (1:49.95) Daniel Centeno Herbert Heinlein David Vivian Silver Tree Fearless Eagle 2007 Go Between (1:48.06) Carlos Montalvo Peter Vegso William Mott Therecomesatiger Art of Diplomacy 2006 Silver Tree (1:48.45) Eddie Castro Peter Vegso William Mott Icy Atlantic Ballonenostrikes 2005 Revved Up (1:49.62) Eddie Castro Live Oak Plantation Christophe Clement Admiral Lance Attack the Books 2004 Restage (1:49.24) Jesus Castanon Glen Hill Farm Thomas Proctor Final Prophecy Drink a Toast 2003 Guardianofthegate (1:48.33) Tommy Pompell Brett Rice Don Rice Sir Brian's Sword Love the Game * -- stakes record Old Time Hockey does it again, getting up in the shadow of the wire under jockey Ronnie Allen, Jr. Tom Proctor trains the veteran for breeder-owner Glen Hill Farm. 78 The $75,000 Florida Cup Tampa Turf Classic Fastest Time 1:47.00 PICOU (2010) Slowest Time 1:50.16 SLEW‘S ANSWER (2011) Longest Priced Winner $10.80 FEARLESS EAGLE (2009) Shortest Priced Winner $ 3.20 SILVER TREE (2006) Closest winning Margin NOSE RESTAGE (2004) Largest Winning Margin 3¼ Lengths REVVED UP (2005) Shortest Priced Loser $ 1.40 ORCHARD PARK (2004) Track Condition FIRM All runnings except 2013 (good) Richest Purse $ 85,000 2007 79 The Florida Cup Florida Cup Sprint $75,000 4-Year-Olds-and-Up 6 Furlongs WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2nd 3rd 2015 Lake Drive South (1:10.44) Luis Garcia Dierdre T. Marsh Kathleen O'Connell Star Harbour Prudhoe Bay 2014 Sneaking Uponyou (1:09.08) Huber Villa-Gomez Jagger Inc. Jamie Ness City of Weston Evolution Rocks 2013 Wild About Chrome (1:10.91) Ronnie Allen, Jr. Jim & Nannette McCullough James McCullough Sneaking Uponyou Soaring Stocks 2012 It's Me Mom (1:08.67)* Jorge Vargas Thomas and Jean Bosch Lynne M. Scace My Charming Clyde Jackfrost Ofcourse 2011 Sneaking Uponyou (1:08.69) Huber Villa-Gomez Jagger Inc. Jamie Ness Tommy's Memory On the Vineyard 2010 Tommy's Memory (1:09.56) David Amiss Thomas J. Ryan Anthony Ryan Blind River Fox For All Who Conga 2009 On the Vineyard (1:09.59) Willie Martinez Lynne M. Scace Lynne M. Scace How's Your Halo Ruby's Red Socks 2008 Blue Pepsi Lodge (1:10.65) Wesley Henry, Sr Chester Bishop Kirk Ziadie Lookinforthesecret BL's a Runner 2007 Roman Candles (1:10.61) Jose Martinez, Jr. C. Robert Valeri Lynne M. Scace Lookinforthesecret Weigelia 2006 Nightmare Affair (1:10.21) Eddie Castro Timber Side Stables Manuel Azpurua Vazandar Above the Wind 2005 Nightmare Affair (1:10.15) Eddie Castro Timber Side Stables Manuel Azpurua Scrubs Hi Time Scott 2004 Scrubs (1:10.70) Winston Thompson Jacks or Better Farm Kenneth Decker Rock Country Built Up 2003 Built Up (1:10.72) Eibar Coa Enrique Alonso Straight A Hana Highway Raymond Susi * -- stakes, track record Lake Drive South, ridden by Luis Garcia, is the first Florida Cup winner for top trainer Kathleen O‘Connell. 80 The $75,000 Florida Cup Hilton Garden Inn/Hampton Inn & Suites Sprint Fastest Time: 1:08.67 IT‘S ME MOM (2012) Slowest Time: 1:10.91 WILD ABOUT CHROME (2013) Longest Priced Winner: $ 63.00 ON THE VINEYARD (2009) Shortest Priced Winner: $ 3.20 IT‘S ME MOM (2012) Closest Winning Margin: Neck BLUE PEPSI LODGE (2008) Largest Winning Margin: 7 Lengths SNEAKING UPONYOU (2011) Shortest Price Loser: $ .70 LOOKINFORTHESECRET (2008) Track Condition: Fast All runnings Richest Purse: $ 85,000 2008 81 The Florida Oaks The Florida Oaks $200,000 Fillies 3-Year-Olds 1 1/16 Miles (Turf) WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2nd 3rd 2015 Quality Rocks (1:43.39) Jose Lezcano Flavor/Brous/Wachtel/Destiny William Mott Consumer Credit Lismore 2014 Testa Rossi (1:43.51) ## Jose Lezcano Covello,J.,Coleman,T.,Doheny Chad Brown Istanford Interrupted 2013 Tapicat (1:41.89) * Joel Rosario Besilu Stables William Mott Kitten's Dumplings Wave Theory 2012 Dixie Strike (1:43.30) Jose Lezcano John Oxley Mark Casse More Than Love Regalo Mia 2011 Dynamic Holiday (1:45.56) ^ Ramon Dominguez Augustin Stable H. Graham Motion Holidaysatthefarm Niji's Grand Girl 2010 Diva Delite (1:46.10) R. Homeister, Jr. B. Vivian & D. Vittese David Vivian C C's Pal Mallory Square 2009 Don't Forget Gil (1:43.65) ** Rajiv Maragh Alan Brodsky Mark Hennig Ameribelle Rock Candy 2008 Awesome Chic (1:44.38) Irwin J. Rosendo Aurora Springs Stable Rafael Ramos Elusive Lady My Baby Baby 2007 Cotton Blossom (1:45.06) John Velazquez Dogwood Stable Todd Pletcher Suaveness Maria's Kitty 2006 Bushfire (1:46.25) John Velazquez Ron and Ricki Rashinski Eddie Kenneally Saratoga Drive Crystal Current 2005 R Lady Joy (1:44.58) Jose Lezcano Richard Averill Kirk Ziadie Toll Taker Gotta Rush 2004 Ender's Sister (1:45.66) Pat Day Green Lantern Stables George Arnold, II Menifeeque America America 2003 Ebony Breeze (1:45.20) Mark Guidry Kinsman Stable William Mott Dakota Light Crimson and Roses 2002 French Satin (1:45.2) Ramon Dominguez Sabine Stables Steven Standridge Romancin Dixie Ciudad De Carson 2001 Quick Tip (1:45.1) Richard Migliore W.S. Farish Neil J. Howard Southern Fiction Emery Board 2000 Secret Status (1:45) Pat Day Farish/Elkins/Webber Neil J. Howard March Magic Musical 1999 Crown Jewel (1:46.3) Luis Martinez Donald Murray Evelio Garcia Madison's Charm Here I Go 1998 Pantufla (1:45.2) Pat Day Helen Alexander David Carroll Puddlejump Try N Sue 1997 Anklet (1:45) Shane Sellers Loeb/Ray/Sullivan Elliott Walden Global Star Screamer 1996 Mindy Gayle (1:45.4) Jorge Guerra Tanenbaum Racing Stable Julian Canet Plum Country Weekend In Seattle 1995 Sneaky Quiet (1:45.4) Mike Smith W.S. Farish/Webber Neil J. Howard Commando Dance Smooth Quest 1994 Cavada (1:46.2) Kevin Whitley Bebe Dalton K. Kelley Come On Joy Strategic Maneuver 1993 Star Jolie (1:45.3) Eduardo Nunez Five Star Stables Ron McKenzie Hollywood Wildcat Jacody 1992 Luv Me Luv Me Not (1:45.3) Willie Martinez Philip and Judy Maas Glenn Wismer Now Dance Foxy Persuasion 1991 Designated Dancer (1:45.2) Willie Martinez David Melin O.S. Edwards Car Gal Fantastic Morning 1990 Dance Colony (1:45.1) Herb McCauley Buckland Farms Ross Pearce Premier Question Sun Luck 1989 She's Scrumptious (1:46) Rick Adkins Philip and Judy Maas Glenn Wismer Iron and Silver Georgies Doctor 1988 Colonial Waters (1:44.4) Victor Molina Buckland Farms John P. Campo Tomorrow's Child Tilt My Halo 1987 Single Blade (1:45.3) Julio Pezua Greentree Stable R. Reinacher Without Feathers Merry Mercedes 1986 Noranc (1:44.3) Herb McCauley GallopingAcres/HiddenPoint J. Provost Man A Stan An Affirmation 1985 Erstwhile (1:48) Charles Hussey Hunter Farm Cam Gambolati Erin's Double Flickering Match 1984 Sure Too Explode (1:24.2) ^^ Rick Luhr F. Lehmann S. Ingram April Sonnet Northern Jazz * -- turf stakes record ^ -- run on turf at 1 1/16 Miles 82 ** -- dirt stakes record ^^ -- run at seven furlongs ## -- purse increased to $200,000 The Grade III $200,000 Florida Oaks Fastest Time: 1:43.65 (MAIN TRACK) 1:41.89 (TURF) DON‘T FORGET GIL (2009) TAPICAT (2013) Slowest Time 1:48.0 ERSTWHILE (1985) Longest Priced Winner: $169.20 SHE‘S SCRUMPTIOUS (1989) Shortest Priced Winner: $2.60 EBONY BREEZE (2003) Closest Winning Margin: Nose MINDY GAYLE (1996), DIXIE STRIKE (2012) Largest Winning Margin: 9 Lengths R LADY JOY (2005) Shortest Price Loser: $.30 PLUM COUNTRY (1996), STRATEGIC MANEUVER (1994) Track Condition: FIRM All turf runnings but 2011 (good) Richest Purse: 2006, 2014-present $200,000 Other Notes: Jockey Jose Lezcano has won three of the last four editions of the Florida Oaks and four overall, the most of any jockey. The triumph by Quality Rocks was the third for Hall of Fame trainer William Mott, the most of any conditioner. Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day won the race three times. In 1996, the Florida Oaks attained Grade III status; it lost graded status twice in ensuing years but was graded for the 2013 edition. It was contested on the turf for the first time in 2011. Jockey Jorge Guerra won the Tampa Bay Derby and the Florida Oaks on the same day in 1996, a first-time accomplishment for any rider. Pat Day won both races in 1998; Richard Migliore won both in 2001; and Ramon Dominguez won both in 2002. Trainer Glenn Wismer has won the race twice, in 1989 and 1992. In 1992, Wismer‘s Luv Me Luv Me Not won the Florida Oaks and the Kentucky Oaks. The trainer-owner-jockey combination of Will Farish, Neil Howard and Pat Day has won the Florida Oaks twice, in 1995 and 2000. Howard and Farish also won in 2001 (with jockey Richard Migliore). Buckland Farm has had two victories as owners in the Florida Oaks in 1988 and 1990. Secret Status, the 2000 winner, went on to win the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. The 2003 winner, Ebony Breeze, developed into a multiple-graded stakes winner and millionaire for George Steinbrenner‘s Kinsman Stable. 83 Quality Rocks, trained by Hall of Famer William Mott, provides past leading Tampa Bay Downs jockey Jose Lezcano with his third Florida Oaks victory in four years. The Gasparilla Stakes WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2nd 3rd 2015 Irish Jasper (1:22.41) * Victor Lebron Metro Thoroughbreds LLC Derek Ryan Huasca Coco's Wildcat 2014 Nesso (1:24.93) Abdiel Jaen Amaty Racing Stables Herman Wilensky Ice for the Lady Runway Giant 2013 Vitameta (1:23.86) Jose Cruz Arindel Farm David Fawkes Cindys Casino Martha's Moon 2012 Salad Girl (1:24.14) Angel Serpa Joel Kligman Edward Plesa, Jr. Delightful Magic Ciguaraya 2011 Devilish Lady (1:25.28) Daniel Centeno Cairoli Racing Stable Antonio Sano My Pal Chrisy Fashionable Elsa 2010 Diva Delite (1:25) R. Homeister, Jr. B. Vivian & D. Vittese David Vivian Dattt Echo Miss Aristocrat 2009 Rock Candy (1:25.63) Carlos Montalvo W. Farish, Mrs. W. Kilroy Mike Zwiesler Vicki'sprideandjoy Market Vendor 2008 Awesome Chic (1:25.98) Irwin J. Rosendo Aurora Spring Stables Rafael Ramos Formal Arrangement Unfolding Wish 2007 Suaveness (1:24.03) Charles Forrest Robert Arango Robert Arango Foret Pretoria Light 2006 Sweet Fervor (1:23.78) T.D. Houghton Kinsman Stable William Mott Sparkling Pink Taylor Madison 2005 Cool Spell (1:24.36) Daniel Centeno Burris, Mr. and Mrs. W.D. John Hennig Sherrie Belle Gallant Secret 2004 Crafty Tears (1:26.81) Federico Mata Equest Racing Stable Ronald Allen, Sr. Wild Speed Ladyinareddress 2003 Ebony Breeze (1:25.01) Joe Judice Kinsman Stable William Mott Crimson and Roses Splasha 2002 Afnan (1:24.91) Jesus Castanon Bayard Sharp, Rich Nielson Mike Zwiesler Expected Roll Rebecca's Charm 2001 Frozen Dinner (1:28.69) Felix Ortiz Pyrite Stables Miguel Feliciano Bigcuz Hidden Creek 2000 Silver Stockings (1:25.23) Juan Umana Savas, Chait, Inwood Farm L.L. Palmer Castlebrook Bea D J 1999 Crown Jewel (1:26.54) ^ Luis Martinez Donald Murray Evelio Garcia A Par Tea Shutrina Sand 1998 Tasso's Magic Roo (1:25.3) Marland Suckie Eileen Bathen Richard Ciardullo, Jr. Beaties for Real Catherine's Girl 1997 Zesty Zoe (1:24.4) Danny Scocca Stonehedge Farm Kathleen O'Connell Bracey Poopsie 1996 Suggestion (1:26.4) Chin Yang Kenny Davis Ray Tamargo Pariente Barbara Believe It Shesdue 1995 Calming Sea (1:28.2) Robert Messina Dakar Stable Anthony Ferraro Smooth Quest Simply Blue 1994 Cavada (1:25.2) Kevin Whitley Bebe Dalton Kathleen Kelley Shananie's Beat Deaf Power 1993 Lindsey Lane (1:26.3) ** William Henry Stonehedge Farm Kathleen O'Connell Sezyou Queen Thou Shalt Not Lie 1992 My Gallant Birdie (1:47.0) ^^ Herson Sanchez Alan Haft/Martin Haft Angel Rosado Aggie Gene Foxy Persuasion 1990 Learn By Heart Heriberto Rivera, Jr. Harold Queen Andrea Cunningham 1989 Tajawa 1988 Bold Midway 1987 Smart Honors 1986 Never Company 1985 Never Company 1984 Never Company *** * -- stakes record ^ -- purse formerly $25,000-added ** -- first time 3-year-olds only ^^ -- run at 1 1/16 miles *** -- run at 6 furlongs 84 The $100,000 Gasparilla Stakes Fastest Time: 1:22.41 IRISH JASPER (2014) Slowest Time: 1:28.69 FROZEN DINNER (2001) Longest Priced Winner: $141.40 SUAVENESS (2007) Shortest Priced Winner: $2.80 DEVILISH LADY (2011) Closest Winning Margin: NOSE CAVADA (1994), CALMING SEA (1995) Largest Winning Margin: 8 ½ Lengths ZESTY ZOE (1997) Shortest Price Loser: $ .50 HIDDEN CREEK (2001) Track Condition: FAST All runnings but 1996 (good ) and 2001 (sloppy) Richest Purse: $100,000 2012-present Other Notes: Irish Jasper showed her Gasparilla victory was not a flash in the pan, winning the Belle Harbor Stakes at Aqueduct and the Grade III Adena Springs Miss Preakness Stakes at Pimlico. As a 2-year-old, 2014 winner Nesso finished second in stakes at Del Mar and Santa Anita before competing in the Breeders‘ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. The 2013 Gasparilla winner, Vitameta, is a daughter of Street Sense, who won the 2007 Tampa Bay Derby (then-Grade III) and Kentucky Derby; her broodmare sire, Grindstone, won the 1996 Kentucky Derby. Salad Girl‘s 2012 victory was the first triumph in a stakes worth at least $100,000 for jockey Angel Serpa, who was a finalist for a 2010 Eclipse Award as Outstanding Apprentice Jockey. The Gasparilla was open to older fillies and mares prior to 1993. Never Company won three times in a row in 1984, 1985, and 1986. In 1984, the race was run at 6 furlongs. Stonehedge Farm with trainer Kathleen O‘Connell won the Gasparilla twice: in 1993 with Lindsey Lane and again in 1997 with Zesty Zoe. The race was not run in 1991. It was run at 1 1/16 miles in 1992 and was won by My Gallant Birdie in 1:47.0. Jockey Daniel Centeno has won the Gasparilla twice: in 2005 with Cool Spell and in 2011 with Devilish Lady. In 2010, Diva Delite and jockey Rosemary Homeister, Jr. used a Gasparilla victory as a springboard to Florida Oaks glory. In 1994, Cavada also won the Suncoast Stakes and the Florida Oaks. The purse was increased by $35,000 for the 2012 edition. Irish Jasper kept winning after setting a stakes record in Oldsmar, capturing a Grade III contest at Pimlico. 85 The Hillsborough Stakes—Grade II $ 200,000 Fillies and Mares 4 Year Olds and Up The Hillsborough Stakes Grade III $150,000 F/M 4-and-Up WINNER JOCKEY OWNER 2015 Stephanie's Kitten (1:49.05) John Velazquez 2014 Cloud Scapes (1:51.56) Erick Rodriguez 2013 Old Tune (1:48.92) TRAINER About 1 1/8 miles on the Turf 1 1/8 Miles (Turf) 2nd 3rd Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey Chad Brown Ball Dancing Speed Seeker Pin Oak Stud H. Graham Motion Waterway Run Riposte Joel Rosario Stud TNT Todd Pletcher Forces of Darkness Mystical Star 2012 Zagora (1:46.97) ^ Javier Castellano Martin S. Schwartz Chad Brown Federation (GB) Unbridled Humor 2011 Denomination (1:48.69) Frederic Lenclud Ghislaine Head Christophe Clement Zagora (FR) Keertana 2010 Phola (1:52.51) Ramon Dominguez J.J. Pletcher, et al Todd Pletcher Cure For Sale (ARG) Liberally (IRE) 2009 Backseat Rhythm (1:51.43) Eibar Coa Patrick Reynolds Elusive Lady Ballymore Lady 2008 Dreaming of Anna (1:52.18) Cornelio Velasquez Frank C. Calabrese Wayne Catalano Lady Digby Mary Louhana 2007 Cassydora (GB) 1:48.90 John Velazquez Green Hills Farm Todd Pletcher My Typhoon Masseuse 2006 Ready's Girl (1:50.50) John Velazquez James Scatuorchio Todd Pletcher Amorama (FR) Marchonin 2005 Rizzi Girl (1:52.59) Oliver Castillo Joshua and Marnie Whitney William Downing Sister Star Noisette 2004 Coney Kitty (1:48.83)## Jose Santos Betz, Humphrey, Seelbinder James Toner Madeira Mist Alternate 2003 Strait From Texas (1:41.14) Jesus Castanon J & J Investments James Michael Dedication Stylish 2002 Platinum Tiara (1:41.34) Manoel Cruz M375 Thoroughbreds Joe Waunsch Step With Style Loya Two 2001 Song for Annie (1:41.23) Larry Melancon Live Oak Plantation Henry Cochran Megans Bluff Inside Affair 2000 St. Clair Ridge (1:41.17)*** Pat Day Van Meter II, et al Elliott Walden Office Miss Royal Bloomer 1999 Pleasant Temper (1:42.62)** Pat Day Mark Stanley Elliott Walden Sandy Gator Scatter Buy Paul Pompa, Jr. Multiple Grade I winner Stephanie‘s Kitten and Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez power home. ^ -- stakes record ** -- purse $50,000 *** -- purse $75,000 ## -- achieved Grade III status 1 1/16 miles from 1999-2003 86 The Grade II $200,000 Hillsborough Stakes Fastest Time: 1 1/16th 1:41.14 STRAIT FROM TEXAS (2003) Fastest Time: 1 1/8th 1:46.97 ZAGORA(2012) Slowest Time: 1 1/16th 1:42.62 PLEASANT TEMPER (1999) Slowest Time: 1 1/8th 1:52.59 RIZZI GIRL (2005) Longest Priced Winner: $ 29.20 PLATINUM TIARA (2002) Shortest Priced Winner: $ 3.40 PLEASANT TEMPER (1999), ST. CLAIR RIDGE (2000) Closest Winning Margin: NOSE BACKSEAT RHYTHM (2009), CLOUD SCAPES (2014) Largest Winning Margin: 6 ¾ Lengths DREAMING OF ANNA (2008) Shortest Price Loser: $ .70 SNOWDROPS (2005) Track Condition: FIRM All runnings but 1999 and 2005 (good) and 2008 (yielding) Richest Purse: 2008 $175,000 Other Notes: Stephanie‘s Kitten‘s victory raised her career earnings above $2.7-million and counting. Her resume of Grade I triumphs includes the Darley Alcibiades, the Longines Just a Game and the Flower Bowl Stakes. Her jockey, Hall of Fame member John Velazquez, has won the Hillsborough three times, the most of any rider. Cloud Scapes became the fifth distaffer, and third in succession, to win both the Hillsborough and Grade III Endeavour in the same year in 2014. She is a homebred product of Josephine Abercrombie‘s Pin Oak Stud, LLC operation. Old Tune‘s 2013 Hillsborough victory was her sixth consecutive stakes score. She won Brazil‘s Filly Triple Crown in 2012. Her trainer, Todd Pletcher, won three previous editions of the Hillsborough: in 2006 with Ready‘s Girl, in 2007 with Cassydora and in 2010 with Phola. After winning both the Grade III Endeavour and the Hillsborough in 2012, Zagora won the Grade III Gallorette at Pimlico, the Grade II Ballston Spa at Saratoga and the Breeders‘ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita. She was also a Grade I winner in 2011. The Hillsborough attained Grade III status in 2004. In 2008, Dreaming of Anna swept both the Endeavour Breeders‘ Cup on Festival Preview Day and the Hillsborough on Festival Day. The 2002 winner, Platinum Tiara, was owned by M375 Thoroughbreds, a partnership that included former major league pitcher Rob Murphy. 87 The Inaugural The Inaugural $100,000 Guaranteed 2-Year-Olds 6 Furlongs WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2nd 3rd 2014 Catalina Red (1:09.32) * Daniel Centeno Anthony A. Lenci Chad Stewart Charlie's Brother Duke of Luke 2013 Cool Cowboy (1:11.13) ## Eduardo Perez Savoy Stable Dale Bennett Early Entry Trisha's Trove 2012 Purple Egg (1:09.93) Roberto Alvarado, Jr. Goodwood Racing II Jane Cibelli Brave Dave Capital City Pablo Morales T'braue,Brenda/Andrea'sFrm Daniel Pita Wildcat Creek Dangerous Trick 2010 Manicero (1:11.57) Luis Saez Leo Azpurua, Sr. Leo Azpurua, Jr. Bert B Don Uno Caliente 2009 Gesu (1:11.58) Paco Lopez James W. Steil Joe Calascibetta Hellen's Choice Mr. Green 2008 Top Speed (1:10.91) Eibar Coa Harry and Tom Meyerhoff Michael Trombetta General Quarters Miles and Miles 2007 Honey Honey Honey (1:11.15)^ Jose Lopez Jacks or Better Farm Stanley Gold Run Sully Run Surrealdeal 2006 Dream of Angels (1:10.89) Richard Eramia Pamela Halter Steven Standridge Captain Cameron El Bandito Rojo 2005 R Loyal Man (1:11.91) Rajiv Maragh Alfred Kowalewski Timothy Ritvo Forestry Prince Neverbeendancin' 2004 Hostile Witness (1:12.23) Cecilio Penalba Thomas Willmott Larry Bates Sounds Impossible Captain Lindsay 2003 Tricks of Glory (1:12.21) Federico Mata Equest Racing Stable Ronald Allen, Sr. Aloha Mya Misguided Left 2002 Awesome of Course (1:11.99) Jesus Castanon Jacks or Better Farm Kenneth Decker Run For You Penthouse Promise 2001 Bog Hunter (1:11.43) Bobby J. Walker, Jr. Nelson Jones Debbie Thacker Showmeitall How About My Place 2011 Angelofdistinction (1:11.49) 2000 One Special Judge (1:11.16) Sidney LeJeune, Jr. Peppertree Farms Ron Moquett Diablo's Choice Run Kush Run 1999 B L's Appeal (1:11.87) Kevin Whitley Monarch Stables, Inc. Larry Pilotti Rich Celebration Bearcat Ruckus 1998 San Gennaro (1:10.98) Pedro Rodriguez Richard Ciardullo, Sr. Richard Ciardullo, Jr. Do It My Way Cut For Luv 1997 Sejm Run (1:11.3) Luis Gonzalez Harvey Tenenbaum Julian Canet Glow Over Pyrite Rock and Roll 1996 Darling Jeb (1:13) Enrique Jurado Joel W. Sainer David Braddy Threshhold Triple Great 1995 Betweenhereorthere (1:24.1)** Ender Jimenez Dominick Vittese Daviod Vivian Cashier Coyote Dirtman 1994 Soldier On (1:25.2) Eddie Algarin Frederick Kirby Frederick Kirby Brunette Crusader Valid Coup 1993 Roglee (1:25.2) William Henry Roger Kumar Glenn Wismer Exclusive Praline Loadofhope 1992 Virgil Cain (1:24) Eduardo Nunez S.W. Ballou Daniel Hurtak Numerically Aarons Classi Boy 1991 No Mecourtney (1:26.3) Eric Valles Oliver S. Edwards Valerie Sciaretta Critical Quad Oh My Blue Boy Schweiger Stable, Inc. Robert Richards, Jr. 1990 Darian's Reason 1989 Ignition Switch 1988 Storm Predictions 1987 Cook's Brown Rice 1986 Tough Castin' * -- stakes record ^ -- Run in December 2007 ** -- Formerly run at 7 furlongs ## -- purse increased to $100,000 88 The $100,000 Inaugural Stakes Fastest Time: 1:09.32 CATALINA RED (2014) Slowest Time: 1:14.0 LINDSEY LANE (1993) Longest Priced Winner: $ 79.40 HONEY HONEY HONEY (2008) Shortest Priced Winner: $ 3.00 COOL COWBOY (2013) Closest Winning Margin: NOSE HONEY HONEY HONEY (2008) Largest Winning Margin: 7 1/4 Lengths CATALINA RED (2014) Shortest Price Loser: $ 1.10 KING DIABLO (1996) Track Condition: FAST All runnings but 1999 (good) Richest Purse: $100,000 2013-present Other Notes: Catalina Red shattered the stakes record while rewarding trainer Chad Stewart and five-time leading jockey Daniel Centeno with their first Inaugural victories. The 2013 Inaugural Stakes winner, Cool Cowboy is a son of 2009 Eclipse Award-winning Outstanding Sprinter, Kodiak Kowboy. The 2012 winner, Purple Egg, was the first Inaugural Stakes winner to finish in under 1:10 since the race was shortened from seven furlongs in 1996. The fourth-place finisher in that race, Falling Sky, won the Grade III, $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs and finished third in the Grade II, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby. The purse was $25,000 from 1986 through 1998; in 1999 it was run for $40,000 and in 2000 the race was valued at $50,000. In December of 2007, the Inaugural began running for $65,000 and was raised again for the 2011 edition. The 2011 Tampa Bay Derby winner, Watch Me Go, finished fifth in the 2010 Inaugural. The 1988 Inaugural winner, Storm Predictions, won the Grade III Tampa Bay Derby in 1989 and also won the Challenger stakes at Tampa Bay Downs and the Palm Beach Stakes at Gulfstream and the Americana Handicap at Calder. Catalina Red blazes to victory in the fastest six-furlong time ever run by a 2-year-old at the Oldsmar oval for trainer Chad Stewart and jockey Daniel Centeno. 89 The Lightning City The Lightning City Stakes $100,000 Guaranteed F/M 3-and-Up 5 Furlongs (Turf) WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2nd 3rd 2015 Double Secret (56.64) Augusto Marin Adolfo J. Exposito Adolfo Exposito You Bought Her Love Train 2014 Shrinking Violet (55.54) % Quincy Hamilton Wesley A. Ward Wesley A. Ward Allwewantforxmas Ageless 2013 Smartys Emperoress (55.50)*^ Angel Serpa Jerry Jamgotchian James Spicknall Trippin' Along Christina d'Oro 2011 Jenny's So Great (56.02) R. Homeister, Jr. Vicki and Bill Poston Jason Servis Supreme Bounding Bi/Suzzona 2010 Suzzona (56.83) Hector Ramos Sandy Valley Farms Benny Feliciano Trippi's Sailor Tremendamente 2009 Taletobetold (58.19) Tony Farina Robert DeWitt Eddie Kenneally Easy Ashley Kosmo's Buddy 2008 Game N Laughin' (57.21) Dean Butler Diamond G Ranch, Inc. Bernell B. Rhone Jazzy Charlie Papa 2007 Royal Regan (56.61)** Pedro Cotto, Jr. J. Pesci, S. Sharma, W. Cathy Rountree Bucky's Prayer Message of a Myth 2007 Bucky's Prayer (55.50) * Luis Gonzalez Winning Stables, Inc. Gerald Bennett Zooming By Mohegan Sky 2006 Jewels N Gems (57.14) Eddie Castro Richard Averill Kirk Ziadie Jabalski Princess Yes It's Gold 2005 Whenthedoveflies (56.54) Jose Lezcano Kalacan Racing Stable Kirk Ziadie Inhonorofjohnnie Impressive Star % -- purse increased to $100,000 * -- stakes record ^ -- run in Jan. during 2012-13 Owner-trainer Adolfo Exposito of Wildwood, Fla., springs a shocker with grass-loving Double Secret in the Lightning City. 90 The $100,000 Lightning City Stakes Fastest Time :55.50 BUCKY‘S PRAYER (2007), SMARTYS EMPERORESS (2013) Slowest Time :58.19 TALETOBETOLD (2009) Longest Priced Winner $ 63.40 DOUBLE SECRET (2015) Shortest Priced Winner $ 3.80 WHENTHEDOVEFLIES (2005) Closest Winning Margin Nose SMARTYS EMPERORESS (2013) Largest Winning Margin 5 Lengths WHENTHEDOVEFLIES (2005) Shortest Priced Loser $0.70 MADAME GIRY (2013) Track Condition Richest Purse FIRM $ 100,000 All runnings but 2009 (good), 2015 (good) 2014-present Other Notes: Double Secret‘s 2015 shocker marked the second consecutive year the winner was owned and trained by the same individual. Adolfo Exposito manages an eight-horse stable in the Ocala, Fla., area. Shrinking Violet, the 2014 winner, is a girl for all seasons and all racetracks. Her successful venture to Tampa Bay Downs for the Lightning City Stakes marked the 10th different track at which she had competed. Shrinking Violet‘s trainer, Wesley Ward, was an Eclipse Award winner as an apprentice jockey and is the son of Tampa Bay Downs trainer Dennis Ward. The 2013 winner, Smartys Emperoress, tied the stakes record in her Lightning City victory; in her only previous start at Tampa Bay Downs, she won a five-furlong allowance/optional claiming turf race in 55.42 seconds. The 2011 winner, Jenny‘s So Great, was bred by pop singing star David Cassidy, perhaps best known for playing Keith Partridge on ―The Partridge Family.‖ Jenny‘s So Great was the first betting favorite to win since Bucky‘s Prayer at the end of the 2006-07 season. Suzzona is the most accomplished Lightning City winner; she also captured stakes at Pimlico, Monmouth and Parx. Trainer Kirk Ziadie has won two editions of the Lightning City Stakes: in 2005 with Whenthedoveflies and in 2006 with .Jewels N Gems. The purse for the Lightning City was increased from $75,000 to $100,000 for the 2014 renewal. 91 The Manatee WINNER 2014 Risky Rachel (1:23.48) ^ 2013 Spectacular Sky (1:23.51) 2012 Taylors Irish (1:23.55) 2011 Hyperlink (1:23.52) 2010 Lady Alexander (1:23.80) 2009 Rising Fever (BRZ) 1:25.22) 2008 Marina Ballerina (1:24.22) 2007 Summer Cruise (1:25.43) 2006 Ebony Breeze (1:25.03) 2005 Grab Bag (1:24.22) 2004 Mary Murphy (1:26.64) 2003 Romancin Dixie (1:25.51) 2002 Little Won (1:24.37) 2001 Silver Stockings (1:24.45) 2000 Misstress (1:24.56) 1999 Inside Affair (1:25.85)* 1998 Hail the Queen (1:25.1) 1997 Littlest Secretary (1:25.3) 1996 Naughty Notions (1:25.1) 1995 Show No Fear (1:24.2) 1994 Show No Fear (1:25.3) 1993 Forli's Lass (1:23.3) 1992 Magal (1:25) 1991 Victorious Trick (1:26) 1990 Leave It Be 1989 Foxy Alexis 1988 Brief Fame 1987 An Affirmation 1986 Is Rosalind 1985 Delicate Lady JOCKEY Daniel Centeno Daniel Centeno Pedro Cotto, Jr. Daniel Centeno Ricardo Feliciano Daniel Centeno Pedro Cotto, Jr. Carlos Montalvo T.D. Houghton Tom Turner Pedro Rodriguez Jose Espada Derek Bell Felix Ortiz Pedro Rodriguez Luis Martinez Ricardo Lopez Paula Bacon Benny Feliciano Eduardo Nunez Eduardo Nunez William Henry Willie Martinez Ricardo Lopez OWNER Sanford Bacon Farnsworth Stables LLC Michael Newman Joseph Engelhart Rosemarie Kesselring David Soifer Robert L. Pastor Will Farish and Gasparilla Kinsman Stable Henry Waring M375 Thoroughbreds Dorothy Leonard Elisa Spencer Inwood Farm D & H Stable Harold Queen Cass Stable/Foggiano Deborrah Artz M. and J. Mulholland Ramon Coto R. Coto and C.Y. Justi Star Racing Stables Dolores Tamargo John Franks Liberty D Stable, Inc. 92 ^ -- stakes record * -- formerly $25,000 added (Formerly run as the Lassie Stakes) TRAINER Juan Coronel Martin Wolfson Charles Harvatt Kenneth McPeek Bruce Alexander Christophe Clement Steve Margolis Michael Zwiesler Edward Sexton Thomas Skiffington Joseph Waunsch Perry Johnson David Hinsley L.L. Palmer William Downing Shirley Girten Donna Foggiano Don Rice John Hennig Hank Caballero Luis Olivares Art Pedregal, Jr. Ray Tamargo David Bell Norm Wismer 2nd Cookie Cheechako Island Bound Choragus Satans Quick Chick Star Operator Meredith Bee Gadolinium Toll Taker Ebony Breeze Really Royal Four Plus Four Flashing Lil Inside Affair Little Won Kipper Quila Blind Trust Whats It Gonna Be Portent Jellied Madrilene Slew Knew Magal Forli's Lass Jo Jo's Sparkle 3rd Ambusher Appealing Stella Much Rejoicing Tripped Choragus Dee's Rose Haddie Be Good Zooming By Beautiful Bets Habiboo Cherry Tree Hill Belle Artiste Alley Ball Little Won Shutrina Sand Lolabell Whats It Gonna Be Effervescence Show No Fear Wild Lady A Jovial Sez Golden Wildcat Premier Question Sassy N Brassy The $50,000 Manatee Stakes Fastest Time: 1:23.48 RISKY RACHEL (2014) Slowest Time: 1:26.00 VICTORIOUS TRICK (1991) Longest Priced Winner: $ 116.40 ROMANCIN DIXIE (2003) Shortest Priced Winner: $ 2.80 RISKY RACHEL (2014) Closest Winning Margin: HEAD MISSTRESS (2000), LITTLE WON (2002) LITTLEST SECRETARY (1997) Largest Winning Margin: 3 ¾ Length RISKY RACHEL (2014) Shortest Price Loser: $ .70 EBONY BREEZE (2005) Track Condition: FAST All runnings but 1991 and 2007 (good); 2006, 2010 (wet fast) Richest Purse: $ 65,000 2008 Other Notes: The New York-bred 6-year-old mare Risky Rachel made the Manatee her sixth career stakes victory, following her earlier score in the Minaret. She eclipsed the stakes record set the previous year by Spectacular Sky. Risky Rachel is a daughter of Limehouse, who won the 2004 Tampa Bay Derby. Spectacular Sky followed up her stakesrecord Manatee triumph with a solid second in the Grade II Inside Information Stakes at Gulfstream. Daniel Centeno, the leading jockey at Tampa Bay Downs last season, has won four of the past six editions of the race. The 2012 winner, Taylors Irish, has scored all six career victories at Tampa Bay Downs. Her jockey, Pedro Cotto, Jr., won on Marina Ballerina in 2008. Jockey Eduardo Nunez won this race twice with Show No Fear in 1994 and 1995. Show No Fear made 103 career starts, winning 13 races; her back-to-back Manatee triumphs were her only stakes scores. Jockeys Ricardo Lopez and Pedro Rodriguez won the Manatee twice. Empire State-bred mare Risky Rachel improves to 2-for-2 at the Oldsmar oval with her stakes-record performance in the 2014 Manatee. 93 The Minaret The Minaret Stakes WINNER JOCKEY $50,000 Guaranteed F/M 3-and-Up 6 Furlongs OWNER TRAINER 2nd 3rd 2015 You Bought Her (1:09.92) Brian Pedroza Richard Perkins/Hinsley Rac- David Hinsley R Free Roll Puddifoot 2014 Risky Rachel (1:10.95) Daniel Centeno Sanford Bacon Juan Coronel Cor Cor Ambusher 2012 Appealing Stella (1:12.57) Angel Serpa Cindy Nassal Jane Cibelli Becausei'mworthit Nakano 2011 It's Me Mom (1:09.68) * Willie Martinez Thomas and Jean Bosch Lynne Scace Moon Buzz Yournotthebossofme 2011 Stormy Publisher (1:10.71) Frederic Lenclud Waratah Thoroughbreds Christophe Clement My Irish Girl Choragus 2010 Perf (1:10.78) Luis Gonzalez Harold L. Queen Mary Bennett Rate of Exchange Nicks 2009 Dream Rush (1:10.73) Daniel Centeno Minor Stables William Phipps Rising Fever (BRZ) Star Operator 2008 Taylor Madison (1:10.65) Carlos Montalvo Dini Racing Stable, et al Michael Dini Twiceasbeautiful Rockaway Beach 2007 Summer Cruise (1:11.06) Carlos Montalvo Will Farish/Gasparilla Michael Zwiesler Rgirldoesn'tbluff Taylor Madison 2006 Platinum Perfect (1:10.68) Jose Lezcano Robert Valeri Lynne Scace Beautiful Bets Louve Sauvage 2005 Slew's Final Answer (1:10.54) Jose Ferrer Live Oak Plantation William Mott Diablosangeleyes Beautiful Honor 2004 Sea Span (1:10.42) Jesus Castanon James R. Lewis Emanuel Tortora Mooji Moo Diablosangeleyes 2003 Smoke Chaser (1:12.18) Joseph Judice Savoy Stables/Goldish Kathleen O'Connell Little Won Roman Romance 2002 Away (1:11.47) Chris DeCarlo John Kimmel, et al John Kimmel Flashing Lil Little Won 2000 Shutrina Sand (1:11.41) Luis Gonzalez Chris Powell Deborrah Artz Little Won Lady Cherise 1999 Lolabell (1:11.41) William Henry Mrs. James B. Malcolm John Hennig Make Me Conquer Kipper Quila 1998 Whats It Gonna Be (1:12.0) Jesse Garcia Bob Peterson Bob Peterson Mydaddysthemann Fortunate Smile 1997 Whats It Gonna Be (1:12.1) Jesse Garcia Bob Peterson Bob Peterson Bushy's Pride Blueshirts' Dream 1996 Pyxen (1:12.3) Chin Yang Jean Schunmann Paul Cimini Free Quest Portent/Double Dan (DH) 1995 Shananie's Beat (1:11.4) Jorge Guerra Stonehedge Farm Kathleen O'Connell Wild Lady A Hooded Dancer 1994 Slew Knew (1:12.3) Ron Buchanan Mar Vic Stable Diana Cesarini Debby's Honeypie Primetimeexclusive 1993 Forli's Lass (1:10.2) William Henry Star Racing Stable Art Pedregal Summerhill Girl Magal 1992 Forli's Lass (1:11.3) William Henry Star Racing Stable Art Pedregal Magal Summerhill Girl 1991 Majesty's Missy Chris Morales James B. Tafel Luis Olivares Winds of Forli Victorious Trick 1990 Sunny Stunner 1989 Diamond Sunjet 1988 Millie Prospect 1987 Gentle Screen 1986 Medieval Decoy 1985 Isayso 1983FleurdePrintemps/ParisRoulette 1983 Sugar's Appeal/Bee A Problem * -- stakes record DH -- dead heat 1983-84 -- run in two divisions 94 The $50,000 Minaret Stakes Fastest Time: 1:09.68 IT‘S ME MOM (2011) Slowest Time: 1:12.3 SLEW KNEW (1994) Longest Priced Winner: $ 72.00 PYXEN (1996) Shortest Priced Winner: $ 3.60 IT‘S ME MOM (2011) Closest Winning Margin: NOSE WHATS IT GONNA BE (1998), LITTLE WON (2000), STORMY PUBLISHER (2011) Largest Winning Margin: 8 1/4 Lengths IT‘S ME MOM (2011) Shortest Price Loser: $ .80 MAKE ME CONQUER (1997) Track Condition: FAST All runnings except 2012 (WET FAST) Richest Purse: $ 65,000 2008 Other Notes: You Bought Her‘s victory was the first career stakes triumph for jockey Brian Pedroza. It came four weeks after a runner-up effort in the Lightning City Stakes on the turf. Owner Sanford Bacon of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., bred 2014 winner Risky Rachel from his champion mare Dancin Renee, who died less than 24 hours earlier at Old Friends Equine Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Kentucky. Appealing Stella‘s 2013 victory was the first for owner Cindy Nassal, who bred the now-5-year-old mare with her husband Bill at their Stonecliff Farm in Ocala. It‘s Me Mom and her connections celebrated New Year‘s Eve in grand style in 2011, winning the Minaret in stakes-record time by the largest margin in race history. Two horses have won consecutive runnings of the Minaret: Forli‘s Lass in 1992-93 and Whats It Gonna Be in 1997-98. IJockey William Henry won this race three times. You Bought Her registers the upset as jockey Brian Pedroza wins his first career stakes race. 95 The Pasco The Pasco Stakes $100,000 Guaranteed 3-Year-Olds 7 Furlongs WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2nd 3rd 2015 Catalina Red (1:21.40) ^ Daniel Centeno Chad Stewart X Y Jet Charlie's Brother 2014 Mighty Brown (1:24.17) Dean Butler Anthony A. Lenci TriStarRacing&TheFarmOn4 Tim Ice Cool Cowboy Giancarlo 2013 Dynamic Sky (1:22.79) Luis Contreras John C. Oxley Mark Casse Sky Commander Divine Ambition 2012 Prospective (1:23.88) Luis Contreras John C. Oxley Mark Casse Wildcat Creek Adirondack King 2011 Manicero (1:24.58)*** Luis Saez Leo Azpurua, Sr. Leo Azpurua, Jr. Bert B Don Depeche Chat 2010 Uptowncharlybrown (1:24.28) Daniel Centeno Fantasy Lane Stables Alan Seewald Big Looie Black Diamond Cat 2009 Musket Man (1:25.63) Luis Gonzalez Eric Fein, Vic Carlson Derek Ryan General Quarters Miles and Miles 2008 Honey Honey Honey (1:24.75) Jose Lopez Jacks or Better Farm Stanley Gold Gentleman James Surrealdeal 2007 Barkley Sound (1:24.31) Enrique Jurado Pinebloom Stables Joan Scott Steelix Dippi Trippi 2006 R Loyal Man (1:22.55)* Manoel Cruz Alfred Kowalewski Timothy Ritvo Electrify Doc Cheney 2005 Electric Light (1:23.67) Winston Thompson Live Oak Plantation Nick Zito Captain Lindsay Dazzling Dr. Cevin 2004 Misguided Left (1:25.94) Jesus Castanon Joel W. Sainer J. David Braddy Wire Bound Bourbon N Blues 2003 Super Fuse (1:25.07) Carlos Gonzalez C. T. Stable, LLC Richard Ciardullo, Jr. Hear No Evil Kipper Chemo 2002 Major Focus (1:24.53) Earlie Fires Glen Hill Farm Thomas Proctor Expected Hour Ran South 2001 One Special Judge (1:25.31) Sidney LeJeune, Jr. Peppertree Farm Ronald Moquett Simply Sir Mute Gingrich 2000 Bearcat Ruckus (1:24.87)* Derek Bell Teaberry Acres Javier Contreras Tour the Hive Sweeping Analysis 1999 Slew the Message (1:24.1) T.D. Houghton Chris Powell Jason Stodghill Do It My Way Skootin Skooter * -- purse formerly $25,000 added ** -- purse formerly $50,000 *** -- purse formerly $75,000 ^ -- stakes, track record 96 The $100,000 Pasco Stakes Fastest Time: 1:21:40 CATALINA RED (2014) Slowest Time: 1:25.94 MISGUIDED LEFT (2004) Longest Priced Winner: $ 36.80 BEARCAT RUCKUS (2000) Shortest Priced Winner: $ 3.00 ONE SPECIAL JUDGE (2001) Closest Winning Margin: NECK SUPER FUSE (2003), CATALINA RED (2014) Largest Winning Margin: 5 1/2 Lengths HONEY HONEY HONEY (2008) Shortest Price Loser: $ 1.10 RUN SULLY RUN (2008) Track Condition: FAST All runnings Richest Purse: $ 100,000 2012-present Other Notes: For the first time, the Pasco Stakes was contested by 2-year-olds during the 2014-2015 meeting. Catalina Red demolished the stakes and track record for trainer Chad Stewart and jockey Daniel Centeno. The previous Pasco winner, Mighty Brown, is a son of 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness champion Big Brown. Dynamic Sky‘s victory in 2013 represented back-to-back Pasco scores for his connections: owner John Oxley, trainer Mark Casse and jockey Luis Contreras. Prospective found Tampa Bay Downs much to his liking in 2012. After his Pasco Stakes victory, he finished second in the Grade III Sam F. Davis Stakes before winning the Grade II Tampa Bay Derby. The 2009 Pasco Stakes winner, Musket Man, won the Grade III Tampa Bay Derby and Grade II Illinois Derby and finished third in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, while 2009 runner-up General Quarters used the race as a springboard to victories in the Grade III Sam F. Davis and the Grade I Blue Grass at Keeneland. Jockey Earlie Fires, who won the 2002 Pasco on Major Focus at age 54, is a member of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Catalina Red, Daniel Centeno up, rallies to nip X Y Jet in track-record time of 1:21.40 for seven furlongs. Trained by Chad Stewart, Catalina Red is owned by Anthony A. Lenci. 97 The Pelican The Pelican Stakes $60,000 Guaranteed 4-Year-Olds-and-Up 6 Furlongs WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2nd 3rd 2015 Star Harbour (1:10.78) ## Geovany Garcia Billy, Donna & Justin Hays Joe Woodard Helooksthepart Risk Factor 2014 Palace Barista (1:09.94) Harry Vega Lynne M. Scace Lynne M. Scace W.B. Smudge One Buck Roma 2013 Action Andy (1:09.14) * Danny Coa Robert Gerczak Carlos Garcia Indiano Black Belt 2012 Action Andy (1:09.58) Jesse Garcia Robert Gerczak Carlos Garcia Good Lord Why Pretend 2011 See I A (1:10.18) Huber Villa-Gomez Midwest Thoroughbreds Jamie Ness Gary D Good Lord 2010 Sneaking Uponyou (1:11.21) Daniel Centeno Jagger, Inc. Jamie Ness Conchacer War Fighter 2009 Blind River Fox (1:10.09) Willie Martinez Winning Stables, et al Gerald Bennett Ruby's Red Socks Duke's Flying Tiger 2008 Lookinforthesecret (1:09.30) Daniel Centeno Balkrisna Sukharan Jamie Ness He's So Chic It's His Time 2007 Roman Candles (1:09.88) Jose Martinez, Jr. C. Robert Valeri Lynne M. Scace Wonone D'artagnans'spirit 2006 Above the Wind (1:10.83) Federico Mata Hamco Group Ronald Allen, Sr. Morine's Victory Pirate King 2005 Above the Wind (1:10.04)^ Federico Mata Hamco Group Ronald Allen, Sr. Ranger Chance Sing Me Back Home 2003 Above the Wind (1:10.89) Federico Mata Hamco Group Ronald Allen, Sr. Secret Romeo Wackey For Love 2002 Secret Romeo (1:10.87) Federico Mata A A C Stables Gerald Bennett Tour the Hive Winnie's Pooh Bear 2001 Winnie's Pooh Bear (1:11.0) T.D. Houghton A A C Stables Gerald Bennett Distinctive Mr. B Mountain Top 2000 Mountain Top (1:10.69) Juan Umana John D. Murphy Michael Gorman Diamond Studs Distinctive Mr. B 1999 San Gennaro (1:10.66) Dec. Pedro Rodriguez Richard Ciardullo, Sr. Richard Ciardullo, Jr. Salty Glance Mann the Shipp 1999 Brisco Jack (1:10.48) ** William Henry Martin L. Cherry Raymond Tamargo Blues Away Mann the Shipp 1997 Brisco Jack (1:12.1) Ricardo Lopez Donald Murray Evelio Garcia Ray of Gold Triple Great 1996 Little Don (1:11.2) Bubba G. Wilson Duane Knipe Duane Knipe Prince of Gallapiat Journeys Express 1995 Fort Edward (1:10.40) Dec. Jorge Guerra Dennis Brida Dennis Brida Here Come Da Perks Bankers Forbes 1995 Not Surprising (1:10.4) Jan. William Henry Robert Van Worp Judson Van Worp Honor Colony Reigning Glory 1994 Not Surprising (1:10.2) William Henry Robert Van Worp Judson Van Worp Oh So Striking Bob the Hat 1993 Lord Try On (1:10.3) Eddie Algarin River Bend Farm E.P. Cantlon, Sr. Intown for the Day Junk Bond King 1992 Hidden Tomahawk (1:11.3) Ismael Gonzalez J.R. Solomon R.J. Richards, Jr. Aim High Daniel Franklin Me 1991 Mr. Hot Shot Jose A. Rivera, II James Stewart William Stewart Jilsie's Gigalo Position Leader 1990 Cook's Brown Rice Victor H. Molina Rupert Brown Joseph Fabrizio Strike the Knight Katie Come Lately 1989 Intown for the Day (1:09.1) Rick Adkins T.D. Shank Robin Shank Sunny Go North Private Express 1988 Bobin's Key 1987 Tyantson 1986 Rupert's Wing ^^ 1983 Big Mary * -- Stakes record ^ -- Run in January 2005 ** -- Purse formerly $25,000 ^^ -- Renewed in 1986 ## -- purse increased to $100,000 98 STAKES HISTORIES The $100,000 Pelican Stakes Fastest Time: 1:09.14 ACTION ANDY (2012) Slowest Time: 1:12.1 BRISCO JACK (1997) Longest Priced Winner: $132.40 ABOVE THE WIND (2003) Shortest Priced Winner: $ 3.80 NOT SURPRISING (1995), ACTION ANDY (2012) Closest Winning Margin: NOSE LORD TRY ON (1993), STAR HARBOUR (2015) Largest Winning Margin: 11 ½ Lengths NOT SURPRISING (1995) Shortest Price Loser: $ .70 Entry: PLEASANT TOO and WILD RAINBOWS (1996) Track Condition: FAST All runnings but 1995 (good) and 1997 (sloppy) Richest Purse: $ 100,000 2015-present Other Notes: Star Harbour‘s sire is the late Indian Charlie, who won the 1998 Santa Anita Derby and finished third in the Kentucky Derby. Palace Barista won the 2014 Pelican in only his third lifetime start. Before setting the stakes record in 2013, Action Andy enjoyed a stellar 2012 campaign. He won the Super Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, the Da Hoss at Colonial, the Maryland Million Sprint Handicap and the $350,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash, the latter two at Laurel. Jockey William Henry won this race three times: twice (1994 and 1995) with the combination of Not Surprising, owner Robert Van Worp and trainer Judson Van Worp. Not Surprising‘s 1995 Pelican victory kicked off a year in which he won the Eclipse Award as the nation‘s top sprinter with eight victories, including four graded stakes in New York. Above the Wind won this race three times. All three came with Federico Mata in the irons and Ronald Allen, Sr. as the trainer. Above the Wind was not the favorite in any of his Pelican triumphs; he paid $132.40 to win in 2003 as the longest shot in a 12-horse field. Mata also won the Pelican aboard Secret Romeo in 2002, his first of four consecutive victories. Trainer Gerald Bennett has won the Pelican three times. Jockey Daniel Centeno and trainer Jamie Ness have won the Pelican twice together: in 2008 with Lookinforthesecret and 2010 with Sneaking Uponyou. Ness won the Pelican a third time in 2011 with See I A. Star Harbour and jockey Geovany Garcia (inside) hang on for a thrilling Pelican triumph. 99 The Sam F. Davis Stakes Grade III Sam F. Davis Stakes--Grade III $250,000 Guaranteed 3-Year-Olds 1 1/16 Miles WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2nd 3rd 2015 Ocean Knight (1:43.74) Irad Ortiz, Jr. Stonestreet Stables LLC Kiaran McLaughlin Divining Rod My Johnny Be Good 2014 Vinceremos (1:47.34) Edgar Prado WinStar Farm & Twin Creeks Todd Pletcher Harpoon Cousin Stephen 2013 Falling Sky (1:44.79) Jose Espinoza N'wtownAnner,C'vello,B'lger John Terranova II Dynamic Sky My Name Is Michael 2012 Battle Hardened (1:44.58) ## Julien Leparoux M. Tabor & Mrs. J. Magnier Eddie Kenneally Prospective* Reveron 2011 Brethren (1:45.07) Ramon Dominguez WinStar Farm Todd Pletcher Too Experience Watch Me Go* 2010 Rule (1:44.15) John Velazquez WinStar Farm Todd Pletcher Schoolyard Dreams Uptowncharlybrown 2009 General Quarters (1:43.54) ^ James Lopez Thomas McCarthy Mark Miller Sumo Musket Man* 2008 Fierce Wind (1:44.13) Cornelio Velasquez Four Roses Thoroughbred Nicholas Zito Big Truck* Smooth Air 2007 Any Given Saturday (1:44.47) John Velazquez WinStar Farm Todd Pletcher All I Can Get James Wilfred 2006 Bluegrass Cat (1:44.17) John Velazquez WinStar Farm Todd Pletcher Deputy Glitters* R Loyal Man 2005 Andromeda's Hero (1:46.63) Rafael Bejarano Robert LaPenta Nicholas Zito Summer Legacy Captain Lindsay 2004 Kaufy Mate (1:44.60) Ramsey Zimmerman Gregory Kaufman Kirk Ziadie The Cliff's Edge Zakocity 2003 White Buck (1:45.47) Roger Velez Olga Paradise Jerry Paradise Freedom Lane Coach Jimi Lee 2002 Bunk N Ted (1:49.86) Derek Bell Danny Hunt Kenneth Wirth Tails of the Crypt Raymond Springs 2001 Burning Roma (1:45.2)* Juan Umana Harold Queen Heather Giglio American Prince Talking Red 2000 Go Lib Go (1:44.84) Robert Landry Ray Cottrell Kenneth McPeek Kombat Kat Cool N Crafty 1999 San Gennaro (1:45.54) Pedro Rodriguez Richard Ciardullo, Sr. Richard Ciardullo, Jr. Groomstick Stock's Gander 1998 Dabney Carr (1:46.1) Kevin Whitley My Jolee Stable/Everard E. Zemp-Everard Rock and Roll Midnight Coyote 1997 Wilt the Tilt (1:46.0) Luis Gonzalez Michael Smith Cyndi Smith Part the Waters Favorable Regard 1996 Thundering Storm (1:47.3)* Jorge Guerra Deborrah Artz Don Rice Copy Cat My Game 1995 Akiba (1:47.2) Santos Chavez Scott Savin Hubert "Sonny" Hine Dr. Ktonborg Dontstopthejukebox 1994 Parental Pressure (1:47.2) Jack Lauzon Hammer Kopf Farm, et al Fred Loschke Able Buck Mr. Blueberry 1993 Marco Bay (1:45.3)* Ronnie Allen, Jr. Jay Shaw Sarah Lundy Antrim Rd. Flashy Regent 1992 Randy (1:46.2) Herson Sanchez Martin Haft Angel Rosado Wolf Brigade Critical Quad 1991 Speedy Cure (1:47.4)* Ricardo Lopez Susan Fisher Harvey Culp One No Trump Northern No Trump 1990 Fiery Best M.A. Santos Berens & Garazi Jose Mendez 1989 Papa Leonard 1988 House Account 1987 Phantom Jet* ^ -- stakes record 1986 Fellow's Lady * -- Tampa Bay Derby winner 1985 Tamao's Gray 1984 Morning Bob/D. White** 1983 Saverton 1982 Tampa Bay Buck 1981 Croziers Ace 100 ** -- run in two divisions ## -- purse increased to $250,000 The $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes Fastest Time: 1:43.54 GENERAL QUARTERS (2009) Slowest Time: 1:49.86 BUNK N TED (2002) Longest Priced Winner: $ 56.40 WHITE BUCK (2003) Shortest Priced Winner: $ 2.40 ANY GIVEN SATURDAY (2007) Closest Winning Margin: NOSE RANDY (1992), AKIBA (1995), VINCEREMOS (2014) Largest Winning Margin: 6 ¾ Lengths SAN GENNARO (1999) Shortest Price Loser: $ .40 WOLF BRIGADE (1992) Track Condition: FAST All runnings but for 1991 and 1998 (good); 2003 (sloppy) Richest Purse: $ 250,000 2011-present Other Notes: Ocean Knight‘s sire is Curlin, the two-time Horse of the Year and Hall of Fame member who won the 2007 Preakness and Breeders‘ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge and earned $10.5-million. Vinceremos, the 2014 Sam F. Davis winner, is named for the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center in Loxahatchee, Fla. Owner WinStar Farm and trainer Todd Pletcher have combined to win the race five times since 2006 (WinStar owns Vinceremos in partnership with Twin Creeks Racing Stables). Falling Sky was purchased less than three weeks before the 2013 Sam F. Davis Stakes at the Ocala Breeders‘ Sales Company‘s winter mixed sale for $425,000 by the partnership of Maurice and Samantha Regan‘s Newtown Anner Stud, James Covello and Joseph Bulger. Five Tampa Bay Derby winners have won this race: Phantom Jet (1987), Speedy Cure (1991), Marco Bay (1993), Thundering Storm (1996) and Burning Roma (2001). Trainer Nick Zito has won the Sam F. Davis Stakes twice: in 2005 with Andromeda‘s Hero and in 2008 with Fierce Wind. The Sam F. Davis received Grade III status for the first time in 2009, the year in which General Quarters set a stakes record for the race. The 2001 winner, Burning Roma, was owned by Clearwater‘s Harold Queen, who won the 2010 Breeders‘ Cup Sprint with Big Drama. Ocean Knight and jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., surge past Divining Rod in the final strides for a neck victory. Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, the winner is owned by Stonestreet Stables, which owned his famous sire Curlin. 101 The Sandpiper The Sandpiper Stakes $100,000 Guaranteed Fillies 2-Year-Olds 6 Furlongs WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2nd 3rd 2014 R Sassy Lass (1:10.48) Antonio Gallardo Averill/Silver Oak/Kaufman Kirk Ziadie Coco's Wildcat Innovative Idea 2013 My Sweet Dove (1:11.42) ## F. DeLa Cruz Peter A. Lawson Monte Thomas Enquete Secret Kitten 2012 Cor Cor (1:10.02) * Scott Spieth S. Ballou & H. Waldron Joan Scott Vitameta R Free Roll 2011 Quick Flip (1:10.96) Pedro Cotto, Jr. Klaravich/W.H. Lawrence Terri Pompay Blue Forty Live Every Day 2010 Devilish Lady (1:11.51) Daniel Centeno Cairoli Racing Stable Antonio Sano It's Me Mom Juanita 2009 Criolla Bonita (1:12.00) Abel Lezcano Shirley Duco Hector Mackenzie Joanie's Catch Yournotthebossofme 2008 Dr. Zic (1:10.77) Daniel Centeno Derby Lane Farm, et al Joan Scott Sunday In Malibu Hooh Why 2007 Unfolding Wish (1:11.37) Carlos Montalvo Kinsman Stable Dale Bennett Bear Lahania Awesome Chic 2006 Special Cheers (1:11.60) Luis Gonzalez Elizabeth Muirhead, et al James Little Storm Savvy Foret 2005 Misty Rosette (1:10.33) ^ Sebastian Madrid Sonia Chapman James Chapman Runaway in Love Running Lass 2005 Portsea (1:11.26) Chris DeCarlo Vinery Stables Todd Pletcher Lady In Pink Joyous Song 2004 Wild Speed (1:11.93) Derek Bell Victoria Farm Javier Contreras Crafty Tears Atti Girl Fergie 2003 Ebony Breeze (1:11.4) Pedro Rodriguez Kinsman Stable William Mott Ozilda's Nancy Lee Lavander Lass 2002 Rebecca's Charm (1:11.42) Aurelio Toribio, Jr. Rousseau Racing Robert Hale Expected Roll Forum Search 2001 Political Wife (1:13.0) Federico Mata Emerald Pastures Farm Cathy Rountree Quite Spender Bigcuz 2000 Whitney's Best (1:11.51) Luis Gonzalez Carl Bowling/Robert Velotta Chris Velotta Sami's Proud Squaw Bea D J 1999 Shutrina Sand (1:11.42) % William Henry Chris Powell Jason Stodghill Bella Gatto Sweet Singing Sami 1998 Tasso's Magic Roo (1:11.3) Marland Suckie Eileen Bathen Richard Ciardullo, Jr. Proud Ridge Beaties for Real 1997 Star Performer (1:14.2) William Henry Carl Cooper/Robert Brown Carl Cooper Dawn Pretty Prospective Rosie 1996 Mercedes Song (1:13.1) Paula Bacon Deborrah Artz Don Rice Flo's Z Fury American Tango 1995 Expensive Lunch (1:14.4) William Henry Les Stables, Inc. Fred Warren Miss Carson Commando Dancer 1994 Shananie's Beat (1:11.3) William Henry Stonehedge Farm Kathleen O'Connell Tipper Too Sweet Hollyann 1993 Lindsey Lane (1:14.0) William Henry Stonehedge Farm Kathleen O'Connell Real Bucks Consentida 1992 Bet Your Bonnet (1:13.2) Pedro Rodriguez F. Berens and S. Garazi Jose Mendez Phi Phi Hi D Aggie Gene 1991 Tenacious Treasure (1:13.5) Ricardo Lopez Bee Bee Stable, Inc. Emanuel Tortora Dark Stage Vatican Dancer John Franks David Bell 1990 Premier Question 1989 Grau Madchen * -- stakes record 1988 Bill of Sale ^ -- run in Jan. of 2004-05 season 1987 Beau Love Flowers % -- purse formerly $25,000-added 1986 Sagadhoc ** ** -- run at 5 1/2 furlongs 1985 Flickering Match *** -- run in two divisions 1984 Strawberry Road ## -- purse increased to $100,000 1983 Sugar Charlotte *** 1983 Best Game *** 1982 Supertam *** 1982 Exclusive Love *** 1981 Cherokee Frolic 102 The $100,000 Sandpiper Stakes Fastest Time 1:10.02 COR COR (2012) Slowest Time 1:14.4 EXPENSIVE LUNCH (1995) Longest Priced Winner: $28.20 MERCEDES SONG (1996) Shortest Priced Winner: $ 3.60 SHANANIE‘S BEAT (1994) Closest Winning Margin: NOSE STAR PERFORMER (1997), SPECIAL CHEERS (2007) Largest Winning Margin: 9 Lengths SHANANIE‘S BEAT (1994) Shortest Price Loser: $ .60 ENQUETE (2013) Track Condition: FAST All runnings but 1995 (sloppy) Richest Purse: $ 100,000 2013-present Other Notes: Four months after her Sandpiper triumph, R Sassy Lass won the Florida Cup Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies Stakes. My Sweet Dove‘s broodmare sire, Dove Hunt, won five Grade III stakes in his career. In addition to her record-setting 2012 Sandpiper triumph, Cor Cor won the Battle of New Orleans Stakes at Fair Grounds and the Ocala Breeders‘ Sales Filly Division Sprint at Ocala Training Center. Jockey William Henry won the Sandpiper Stakes five times in seven years: with Shutrina‘s Sand (1999), Star Performer (1997), Expensive Lunch (1995), Shananie‘s Beat (1994), and Lindsey Lane (1993). Two of those wins (in 1993 and 1994) were with owner Stonehedge Farm and trainer Kathleen O‘Connell. In 1986, the Sandpiper was run at 5 ½ furlongs; the 1982 and 1983 races were run in two divisions. In the 2004-2005 racing season, the Sandpiper was run in January of that meet; the 2005-2006 edition was carded in December, as were all subsequent runnings. The late George Steinbrenner‘s Kinsman Stable has won this race twice: in 2003 with Ebony Breeze (trained by William Mott and ridden by Pedro Rodriguez) and in 2008 with Unfolding Wish (trained by Dale Bennett and booted home by Carlos Montalvo.) Jockey Daniel Centeno won twice, in 2008 with Dr. Zic and in 2010 with Devilish Lady. Dr. Zic, trained by Joan Scott, won the Grade I Vinery Madison at Keeneland in 2010. Luis Gonzalez won the Sandpiper aboard Whitney‘s Best in 2000 and Special Cheers in 2006. R Sassy Lass turns potential into performance by responding to jockey Antonio Gallardo‘s urgings to capture the 34th edition of the Sandpiper. 103 The Suncoast Stakes The Suncoast Stakes $100,000 Guaranteed 3-Year-Old Fillies Mile-and-40-Yards TRAINER 2nd 3rd WINNER JOCKEY OWNER 2015 Include Betty (1:41.49) R. Homeister, Jr. Brereton Jones,Tim Thornton Thomas Proctor Huasca Ancient Goddess 2014 Please Explain (1:44.94) Julien Leparoux Niall Racing Thomas Proctor Nesso Light Bringer 2013 Manuka Honey (1:41.75) Edgar Prado Curragh Stables John Terranova II Wild About Irene Cindys Casino 2012 Wait Til Dawn (1:40.58) Javier Castellano Michael Tabor Todd Pletcher Ciguaraya Melrose Woods 2011 Wyomia (1:39.93) Frederic Lenclud B. Anderson and E. Seltzer Curtis Garrison Devilish Lady Her Smile 2010 Diva Delite (1:41.58) R. Homeister, Jr. B. Vivian and D. Vittese David Vivian Miss Aristocrat Imaginary Saint 2009 Rock Candy (1:41.22) Carlos Montalvo W. Farish & Mrs. W.S. Kilroy Mike Zwiesler Ameribelle Don't Forget Gil 2008 Vaulcluse (1:39.36) * Eibar Coa Melnyk Racing Stable Thomas Albertrani My Baby Baby No Use Denying 2007 Autobahn Girl (1:38.39) ^ Daniel Centeno Live Oak Plantation Nicholas Zito Trainee Saint Barbara 2006 Crystal Current (1:45.37) Cornelio Velasquez Kinsman Stable William Mott Saffronista Taylor Madison 2005 Toll Taker (1:45.15) Cornelio Velasquez Sea Gull Associates Timothy Hills Gotta Rush Gallant Secret 2004 Ender's Sister (1:47.16) Brian Peck Green Lantern Stables George Arnold, II Fall Fashion Ladyinareddress 2003 Just Bill Me (1:46.57) R. Homeister, Jr. J. Reynolds/D. Dwyer Enrique Alonso Crimson and Roses Dakota Light 2002 Romancin Dixie (1:50.03) Dale Lynch Dorothy Leonard Perry Johnson Ease Ahead Quick Bird 2001 Classy Place (1:48.88) Paula Bacon Blaine Davidson Don Rice Frozen Dinner Chinsegut 2000 Silver Stockings (1:45.99) Juan Umana Savas/Chait/Inwood Farm L.L. Palmer Grey Sky My Special K's 1999 Crown Jewel (1:47.0) ** Luis Martinez Donald Murray Evelio Garcia Second Degree Christie Light 1998 Tasso's Magic Roo (1:46.3) Marland Suckie Eileen Bathen Richard Ciardullo, Jr. Catherine's Girl Gemley 1997 Poopsie (1:44.4) William Daniels Stephen Ferguson Stephen Casey Pyrite Annie Zesty Zoe 1996 Faithful City (1:46.2) Jorge Guerra White Cross Stable Luke Poulos Mercedes Song Elise's Valentine 1995 Commando Dancer (1:46.2) Jesse Garcia Eugene C. Cashman Frederick Kirby Street Code Smooth Quest 1994 Cavada (1:46.1) Kevin Whitley Bebe Dalton Kathleen Kelley Sweet Hollyann Dominating Dottiet 1993 Thou Shalt Not Lie (1:47.0) Kevin Whitley Don Campbell (lessee) Don Campbell O.P. Cat Sezyou Queen 1992 My Gallant Birdie (1:26.2) Herson Sanchez Alan and Martin Haft Angel Rosado Aggie Gene Pi Phi Hi D 1991 Dark Stage (1:26 4/5) Danny Scocca Verbanic and Obser John Foggiano Quiet Chaos Vatican Dancer John Franks David Bell 1990 Premier Question 1989 Grau Madchen 1988 Leave It Be * -- stakes record 1987 An Irish Dream ^ -- formerly seven furlongs 1986 Royal Tasha ** -- purse formerly $25,000 added 1985 Flickering Match ^^ -- two divisions 1982 & 1983 1984 Sure Too Explode 1983 Silvered Silk/Millcreek Court 1982 Burned Crisp/GenuineDiamond 1981 Secret Kingdom 104 The $100,000 Suncoast Stakes Fastest Time: 1:39.36 1:38.39 VAULCLUSE (2008) (1 MILE 40 YARDS) AUTOBAHN GIRL (2007) (ABOUT 1 MILE) Slowest Time: 1:50.03 ROMANCIN DIXIE (2002) (1 1/16-MILE) Longest Priced Winner: $ 39.80 INCLUDE BETTY (2015) Shortest Priced Winner: $ 2.80 TASSO‘S MAGIC ROO (1998) Closest Winning Margin: Head WYOMIA (2011) Largest Winning Margin: 10 ½ Lengths TASSO‘S MAGIC ROO (1998) Shortest Price Loser: $ 1.00 SECOND DEGREE (1999) Track Condition: FAST All runnings but 2002 (sloppy) and 1991 (good) Richest Purse: $ 100,000 2012-present Other Notes: Include Betty‘s victory ended a streak of three consecutive favorites winning the Suncoast. It marked back-to-back victories in the race for trainer Tom Proctor and was the third Suncoast score for jockey Rosemary Homeister, Jr. Manuka Honey‘s 2013 victory was one of three stakes triumphs during that season for trainer John Terranova II. From 1993 to 2006, the Suncoast was run at 1 1/16 miles. It was run at about one mile in 2007 and the following year switched to its current mile and 40 yards. In 1982 and 1983 it was run in two divisions. Jockey Kevin Whitley won twice with Thou Shalt Not Lie (1993) and Cavada (1994). Flickering Match and Tasso‘s Magic Roo both swept the now-defunct Tampa Bay Challenge Series, which was comprised of all 3-year-old filly races held at Tampa Bay Downs. Flickering Match was owned and trained by Carroll Barnhill of nearby Bradenton. In 2008, Vaulcluse won the race in 1:39.36, setting a new track and stakes record for the distance. Jockey Cornelio Velasquez won back-to-back in 2005 and 2006 with Toll Taker and Crystal Current. Include Betty and jockey Rosemary Homeister, Jr., stage a whirlwind rally from last to win, rewarding trainer Tom Proctor with back-to-back Suncoast victories. 105 The Super Stakes WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2nd 3rd 2014 Our Double Play (1:22.09) ^ 2013 Good Lord (1:22.03)+ 2012 Action Andy (1:23.22) 2011 Capt. Candyman Can (1:23.25) 2010 Musket Man (1:23.10) 2009 Hypocrite (1:22.84) 2008 Lookinforthesecret (1:23.18) 2007 D'artagnans'spirit (1:23.62)** 2006 Sir Shackleton (1:22.28) 2005 Above the Wind (1:22.60) 2004 Above the Wind (1:23.78) 2003 Above the Wind (1:24.57) 2002 Secret Romeo (1:22.62) 2001 Sea of Tranquility (1:24.08) 2000 Conan (1:23.99) 1999 Man the Shipp (1:23.91) 1998 Pleasant Too (1:24.2) 1997 Request a Star (1:25.2) 1996 Winous Point (1:25.1) 1995 Boisterous (1:23.1) 1994 Not Surprising (1:24.3) 1993 King Corrie (1:23.4) 1992 Aim High Daniel (1:25.2) 1991 Democritus (1:26.3) Victor Lebron Fernando DeLa Cruz Danny Coa Frederic Lenclud Daniel Centeno Manoel Cruz Daniel Centeno Jose Lezcano Jeremy Rose Federico Mata Federico Mata Federico Mata T.D. Houghton Luis Gonzalez Dodie Duys Joseph Rocco, Sr. Heriberto Rivera, Jr. Punchie Goberdhan Fred Castillo Jesse Garcia William Henry Robert Landry David Neider Ricardo Lopez Rigney Racing Thomas Shank/Stan Young Robert Gerczak Rosemary Rauch/David Zell Eric Fein J. Tortora, T. & R. Ancona Balkrisna Sukharan Richard Averill Tracy Farmer Hamco Group Hamco Group Hamco Group A A C Stables Triple M Farm Inc. Vivian and Cleo Hall Barry Shipp Harold Queen Paul O'Toole Eutropia Farm D.J. Campbell (lessee) Robert Van Worp Aubrey W. Minshall J. Crayton Pruitt Fred Boyd Philip Bauer Forrest Kaelin Carlos Garcia Ian Wilkes Derek Ryan Emanuel Tortora Jamie Ness Kirk Ziadie Nick Zito Ronald Allen, Sr. Ronald Allen, Sr. Ronald Allen, Sr. Gerald Bennett Richard Paulus Tandi Wheeler James DiVito Shirley Girten Jason Stodghill Jerry Lepre Donald Campbell Judson Van Worp Sherry Noakes T. Wynn Jolley E.P. Cantlon, Jr. Sneaking Uponyou Action Andy Watch Me Go Legal Move Guam Typhoon Paradise Dancer I'vegottabeme Weigelia Purim Avis Skier Scrubs Attack the Books Tour of the Cat Fort Metfield Fort Metfield Sea Legs Man the Shipp Pleasant Too Letters of Truth Mr. Tooth Premier Angel Lord Try On Hidden Tomahawk Bandit Corsair Action Andy Bellefire Gold Strike Begins A Diehl Chief Talkeetna Let It Rock Paradise Dancer Above the Wind Above the Wind Attack the Books Attack the Books DrThunder/Sea of Tranquility Mountain Top American Dot Com Royal Romp Diplomatic Corps Axe of Courage Country Coy Boisterous Not Surprising Junk Bond King Lord John Proud Lion Club Mr. Hot Shot ^ -- Purse increased to $100,000 * -- track, stakes record ** --purse increased to $75,000 106 The $75,000 Super Stakes Fastest Time: 1:22.03 GOOD LORD (2013) Slowest Time: 1:26.3 DEMOCRITUS (1991) Longest Priced Winner: $ 74.60 ABOVE THE WIND (2003) Shortest Priced Winner: $ 2.80 MUSKET MAN (2010) Closest Winning Margin: HEAD MAN THE SHIPP (1999), SECRET ROMEO (2002) Largest Winning Margin: 3 3/4 Lengths OUR DOUBLE PLAY (2014) Shortest Price Loser: $ .20 NOT SURPRISING (1995) Track Condition: FAST All runnings but 1991, 1994 and 1998 (good); 1997 (sloppy); 2011 (wet fast) Richest Purse: $ 100,000 2014-present Other Notes: Owners Richard and Tammy Rigney named the 2014 Super Stakes winner after their twin daughters, Claire and Madison. In 2013, the popular 6-year-old gelding Good Lord set a track record in his victory for trainer Forrest Kaelin, who was a jockey here in 1956 when the track was called Sunshine Park. Good Lord broke the stakes record of 2006 winner Sir Shackleton, a multiple-graded stakes winner. Above the Wind (owned by the Hamco Group, trained by Ron Allen, Sr. and ridden by Federico Mata) won this race three times, from 2003-05. The 2011 winner, Capt. Candyman Can, was trained by former Carl Nafzger assistant Ian Wilkes. The 2012 winner, Action Andy, won the $350,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash at Laurel in October of 2012. Musket Man, the 2009 Tampa Bay Derby winner, returned to Oldsmar in 2010 to annex the Super. Our Double Play used a string of bullet workouts to prepare for his outstanding 2014 Super Stakes victory, the first stakes triumph for trainer Phil Bauer. 107 Tampa Bay Stakes Grade III The Tampa Bay Stakes--Grade III $150,000 4-Year-Olds-and-Up (Formerly the Tampa Bay Breeders’ Cup) 1 1/16 Miles (Turf) WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2nd 3rd 2015 Lochte (1:41.63) Paco Lopez Crossed Sabres Farm Marcus Vitali Old Time Hockey Sky Flight 2014 Guys Reward (1:43.44) Abdiel Jaen Michael J. Bruder Dale Romans Salto Golden Sabre 2013 Swift Warrior (1:43.14) Jose Espinoza James Covello, James Dolan John Terranova II Alley Oop Oop (DH) Doubles Partner (DH) 2012 Roman Tiger (1:40.42) Angel Serpa Dennis Manning Dennis Manning El Commodore Swift Warrior 2011 Doubles Partner (1:40.67)** Julien Leparoux WinStar Farm Todd Pletcher Rahystrada Voodoo Swinge 2010 Karelian (1:42.61) R. Homeister, Jr. Green Lantern Stables George Arnold, II Gio Ponti Rahystrada 2009 Victory Alleged (1:41.35) Carlos Marquez Mac Fehsenfeld Dennis Manning Classic Campaign Society's Chairman 2008 Cosmonaut (1:44.14) Edgar Prado Flying Zee Stable Philip Serpe Ballonenostrikes Soldier's Dancer 2007 Hotstufanthensome (1:41.24)# Rajiv Maragh Runnin Horse Farms Norman Pointer Classic Campaign Defer 2006 Fort Prado (1:40.76) Brice Blanc Team Block, et al Chris Block Icy Atlantic Interpatation 2005 Wire Bound (1:40.14) Eduardo Nunez Silver Diamond Thoro'breds Manuel Criollo Remind Above the Wind 2004 Burning Roma (1:41.68) Jesus Castanon Harold Queen Heather Giglio Remind Native Hawk 2003 Burning Roma (1:41.53) Jesus Castanon Harold Queen Heather Giglio Tour of the Cat First lieutenant 2002 Boastful (1:40.95) T.D. Houghton Kinsman Stable William Mott Dog Tags Tour of the Cat 2001 Delay of Game (1:41.91) Chris DeCarlo John Peace George Arnold, II Johnny Dollar An Oscar for Bert 2000 Delay of Game (1:39.72) Ramon Perez John Peace George Arnold, II Nasello Bogatyr 1999 Legs Galore (1:39.65) *^ William Henry Ann and Clinton Lagrosa Reed Combest Tangazi Orleans Road 1998 Ship Liner (1:44.1) Punchie Goberdhan Philip Williams Don Pittman Fig Fest Pleasant Too 1997 Request a Star (1:45.2) Punchie Goberdhan Paul O'Toole Jason Stodghill Pleasant Too Country Coy 1996 Iron Racketeer (1:46.2) Danny Scocca Charles Fink Mike Falzone Jane's Jet Letters of Truth 1995 Not Surprising (1:44.2) William Henry Robert Van Worp Judson Van Worp Mighty Avanti Boisterous 1994 Pride of Burkaan (1:44.2) Eric Valles A. Johnson & G. Murchibon Leo Azpurua, Jr. Not Surprising Repletion 1993 Lord John (1:45.1) William Henry John Callaway John Callaway Island Chatter Wynsum Wayward 1992 Lord John (1:45.8) Willie Martinez John Callaway John Callaway Color Me Ande Rebounding Thrill 1991 Gallant Mel (1:45.2) Ricardo Lopez Edwards and Mitchell Don Campbell Velcro Fly Dangerous Dawn 1990 Majesty's Imp Ricardo Lopez Batarasan Stable Sturges Ducoing 1989 Gallant Mel Ricardo Lopez Edwards & Penhale Don Campbell * -- stakes record 1988 Homebuilder Larry Saumell Ryehill Farm Woody Stephens ^ -- first turf edition 1987 My Prince Charming O.B. Aviles Estate of Don Aronow Newcomb Green ** -- awarded Grade III status 108 # -- purse increased to $150,000 The Grade III $150,000 Tampa Bay Stakes Fastest Time: 1:39.65 LEGS GALORE (1999) Slowest Time: 1:51.1 LORD JOHN (1992) Longest Priced Winner: $ 59.40 ROMAN TIGER (2012) Shortest Priced Winner: $ 3.00 DELAY OF GAME (2000) Closest Winning Margin: NOSE KARELIAN (2010), ROMAN TIGER (2012) Largest Winning Margin: 5 ¾ Lengths DELAY OF GAME (2000) Shortest Price Loser: $ .20 GIO PONTI (2010) Track Condition: FIRM All but 2008 (SOFT), ‘13 (GOOD), ‘14 (YLDG.), ‘15 (GOOD) Richest Purse: 2007-present $150,000 Other Notes: As a 4-year-old, Lochte won the Grade I Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap in 2014 and placed in two other Grade I stakes. Guys Reward, the 2014 winner, is no stranger to graded turf stakes success; in 2012, he won the Grade II Firecracker Handicap at Churchill Downs. Swift Warrior, who finished third in the 2012 Tampa Bay Stakes, won the 2013 renewal three weeks after capturing the Grade III John B. Connally Turf Cup Stakes at Sam Houston. The race was run at 1 1/8 miles until 1993, when it was run at 1 1/16. It was moved to the turf in 1999. John Callaway won twice as owner/trainer with Lord John in 1992 and 1993. Jockey William Henry won three times: in 1993 with Lord John, in 1995 with Not Surprising and in 1999 with Legs Galore. Not Surprising went on to be voted an Eclipse Award as Outstanding Sprinter based on eight stakes victories in 1995, including a quartet of graded New York events. Jockey Punchie Goberdhan won twice: in 1997 with Request a Star and in 1998 with Ship Liner. Delay of Game was a two-time winner in 2000 and 2001. Burning Roma (with jockey Jesus Castanon, trainer Heather Giglio and owner Harold Queen) won twice, in 2003 and 2004. Previously known as the Tampa Bay Breeders‘ Cup, the race enjoyed its most exciting renewal in 2010, when Karelian and jockey Rosemary Homeister, Jr., edged Eclipse champion Gio Ponti and Ramon Dominguez by a nose. Trainer Dennis Manning won in 2009 with Victory Alleged and Lochte (No. 7) and jockey Paco Lopez hold off Old Time Hockey, outside, and Sky Flight to win the Grade III Tampa Bay Stakes. 109 The Tampa Bay Derby—Grade II The Tampa Bay Derby - Grade II $350,000 Guaranteed 3-Year-Olds 1 1/16 Miles WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2nd 3rd 2015 Carpe Diem (1:43.60) John Velazquez WinStar Farm & Stonestreet Todd Pletcher Ami's Flatter Divining Rod 2014 Ring Weekend (1:43.71) Daniel Centeno St.Elias&WestPointThoro'br H. Graham Motion Vinceremos Surfing U S A 2013 Verrazano (1:43.96) John Velazquez Let's Go Stable, Tabor et al Todd Pletcher Java's War Falling Sky 2012 Prospective (1:43.35) Luis Contreras John C. Oxley Mark Casse Golden Ticket Cozzetti 2011 Watch Me Go (1:44.25)** ## Luis Garcia Gilbert G. Campbell Kathleen O'Connell Crimson Knight Brethren 2010 Odysseus (1:44.31) Rajiv Maragh Padua Stables Tom Albertrani Schoolyard Dreams Super Saver* 2009 Musket Man (1:43.67) Daniel Centeno Eric Fein & Vic Carlson Derek Ryan Join in the Dance Justdontcallmejeri 2008 Big Truck (1:44.25) Eibar Coa Eric Fein Barclay Tagg Atoned Dynamic Wayne 2007 Street Sense (1:43.11) * ^ Calvin Borel James Tafel Carl Nafzger Any Given Saturday Delightful Kiss 2006 Deputy Glitters (1:44.26) Jose Lezcano J. Lacombe Stable Tom Albertrani Bluegrass Cat Winnies Tigger Too 2005 Sun King (1:43.98) Edgar Prado Tracy Farmer Nicholas Zito Forever Wild Global Trader 2004 Limehouse (1:43.99) Pat Day Dogwood Stables Todd Pletcher Mustanfar Swingforthefences 2003 Region of Merit (1:44.61) Eibar Coa Calumet Farm Christophe Clement Aristocat Hear No Evil 2002 Equality (1:43.66) *** Ramon Dominguez Pin Oak Farm H. Graham Motion Tails of the Crypt Political Attack 2001 Burning Roma (1:44.30) Richard Migliore Harold Queen Heather Giglio American Prince Paging 2000 Wheelaway (1:43.90) Richard Migliore C. Kimmel & P. Solondz John Kimmel Impeachment Perfect Cat 1999 Pineaff (1:45.33) Jose A. Santos Roy and Joyce Monroe Kenneth McPeek Menifee Doneraile Court 1998 Parade Ground (1:45.2) Pat Day W. Farish and S. Hilbert Neil Howard Middlesex Drive Rock and Roll 1997 Zede (1:44.4) Jerry Bailey Allen Paulson William Mott Brisco Jack Favorable Regard 1996 Thundering Storm (1:43.4) Jorge Guerra Deborrah Artz Don Rice El Amante Natural Selection 1995 Gadzook (1:45.1) Gary Boulanger Du-Zee Stables J. Bert Sonnier Composer Bet Your Bucks 1994 Prix de Crouton (1:46.3) Mickey Walls Lorne and Kathleen Berg Lorne Berg Able Buck Parental Pressure 1993 Marco Bay (1:44.2) Ronnie Allen, Jr. Jay Shaw Sarah Lundy Thriller Chiller Tunecke Charlie 1992 Careful Gesture (1:45.4) Robert Lester Cecilia Dixon Elbert Dixon Chief Speaker Clipper Won 1991 Speedy Cure (1:46.1) Ricardo Lopez Susan B. Fisher Harvey Culp Link Shudanz 1990 Champagneforashley (1:44 Jacinto Vasquez Baker/Kaskel/Feinbloom Howard Tesher Slew of Angels Always Running 1989 Storm Predictions (1:43.4) Steve Gaffalione Three G Stables Luis Olivares With Approval Mercedes Won 1988 Cefis (1:44.2) Eddie Maple Ryehill-Kirkham Partnership Woody Stephens Buck Forbes Twice Too Many 1987 Phantom Jet (1:43.4) Keith Allen Aisco Stables Phil Gleaves Homebuilder You're No Bargain 1986 My Prince Charming (1:46.3) Craig Perret Aronow Stable Newcomb Green Lucky Rebeau Major Moran 1985 Regal Remark (1:46.4) Jeffrey Fell Sam-Son Farm James Day Verification Sport Jet 1984 Bold Southerner (1:44.3) Wayne Crews Rusticwoods Farm Paul Maxwell Rexson's Hope Stickler Slew o' Gold Quick Dip 1983 Morganmorganmorgan(1:47.1) Willie Rodriguez Morgan Bishop 110 Arthur Monteiro 1982 Reinvested (1:45.1) Rick Luhr Harborview Farm Stanley M. Hough Stage Reviewer Real Twister 1981 Paristo (1:45.2) David Ashcroft Belmont Farm George Handy Bravestofall Darby Gillic ^ -- stakes record ** -- achieved Grade II status * -- Kentucky Derby winner *** -- achieved Grade III status ## -- purse increased to $350,000 The Grade II $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby Fastest Time: 1:43.11 STREET SENSE (2007) Slowest Time: 1:47.1 MORGANMORGANMORGAN (1983) Longest Priced Winner: $179.40 BOLD SOUTHERNER (1984) Shortest Priced Winner: $ 2.10 SUN KING (2005) Closest Winning Margin: NOSE BOLD SOUTHERNER (1984), STREET SENSE (2007), ODYSSEUS (2010) Largest Winning Margin: 5 Lengths THUNDERING STORM (1996), CARPE DIEM (2015) Shortest Price Loser: $ .05 WAR PASS (2008) Track Condition: FAST All runnings except 1986 (sloppy) Richest Purse: $ 350,000 2011-present Other Notes: Following Carpe Diem‘s victory, Todd Pletcher has won the Tampa Bay Derby three times, the most of any conditioner. It was Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez‘s second Tampa Bay Derby. Carpe Diem went on to win the Grade I Toyota Blue Grass at Keeneland. In 2014, Ring Weekend rewarded trainer H. Graham Motion and jockey Daniel Centeno with their second Tampa Bay Derby victories. Motion won in 2002 with Equality, and Centeno was aboard Musket Man in 2009. Ring Weekend won the Grade I Frank E. Kilroe Mile on turf at Santa Anita as a 4-year-old on the day of the Tampa Bay Derby. The top three finishers in the 2013 Tampa Bay Derby — Verrazano, Java‘s War and Falling Sky — competed in the Kentucky Derby, marking a first for the Grade II event. In 2007, Street Sense (owned by James Tafel, trained by Carl Nafzger and ridden by Calvin Borel) became the first Tampa Bay Derby participant to win the Grade I Kentucky Derby. The colt went on to win the Grade I Travers Stakes and the Grade II Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga. In 2010, Super Saver became the second Tampa Bay Derby graduate to win the Kentucky Derby, for owner WinStar Farm and trainer Pletcher. In 2002, the Tampa Bay Derby attained Grade III status. It was elevated to Grade II for the 2011 edition. Eric Fein is the only owner to have won the race twice: in 2008 with Big Truck and in 2009 with Musket Man, who finished third in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. Cefis, trained by Hall of Fame legend Woody Stephens, staged a whirlwind rally from last place to win the 1988 renewal. Carpe Diem leaves no doubt who is best in the Tampa Bay Derby. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez rides the champ. 111 STAKES HISTORIES The Turf Dash The Turf Dash $100,000 Guaranteed 3-Year-Olds-and-Up 5 Furlongs (Turf) WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2nd 3rd 2015 Bold Thunder (54.63) * Daniel Centeno Andrew Sulley Patricia Farro Green Mask Stormofthecentury 2014 Ancil (54.88) ## Daniel Centeno ScottFarmer,KathyThompso Joan Scott Pyrite Green Tell All You Know 2013 Great Attack (56.13) Angel Serpa Houyhnhnm Stable Wesley Ward Silver Cloud Hold On Smokey 2012 Great Attack (55.93) Jeffrey Sanchez Houyhnhnm Stable Wesley Ward Western Prospector Private Jet 2011 Bridgetown (55.28) Willie Martinez Melnyk Racing Stables Todd Pletcher Great Attack Quite a Dude 2010 Sneaking Uponyou (58.11) Huber Villa-Gomez Jagger, Inc. Jamie Ness Probation Ready Twiceasbeautiful 2009 Castles in the Sky (55.75) Daniel Centeno Balkrisna Sukharan Jamie Ness Cooper County Our Friend Harvey 2008 Lookinforthesecret (57.70) Daniel Centeno Balkrisna Sukharan Jamie Ness Prosico Fort Prado 2007 Lookinforthesecret (56.61) Daniel Centeno Ness Racing Stable Jamie Ness Mr. Silver The Nth Degree 2006 Western Kind (56.55) Juan Umana Grace Harris Dewaine Glenn Whenthedoveflies Around the Cape 2005 Whenthedoveflies (57.62) Jose Lezcano Kalacan Racing Stable Kirk Ziadie Scattering Breezes Relaunch Star * -- stakes, track record ## -- purse increased to $100,000 Jockey Daniel Centeno continues his domination of the Turf Dash on Bold Thunder, who sets a course record. 112 STAKES HISTORIES The $100,000 Turf Dash Fastest Time :54.63 BOLD THUNDER (2015) Slowest Time :58.11 SNEAKING UPONYOU (2010) Longest Priced Winner $17.00 SNEAKING UPONYOU (2010) Shortest Priced Winner $ 3.80 WHENTHEDOVEFLIES (2005) Closest Winning Margin NECK WESTERN KIND (2006), CASTLES IN THE SKY (2009), BRIDGETOWN (2011) Largest Winning Margin 3 1/4 Lengths BOLD THUNDER (2015) Shortest Priced Loser $0.90 CHAMBERLAIN BRIDGE (2009) Track Condition FIRM 2005, 2010, 2012, 2013 (good), 2008 (yielding) Richest Purse $ 100,000 2014-present Other notes: Five-time Tampa Bay Downs leading jockey Daniel Centeno has won five of the 11 runnings of the Turf Dash; he helped Bold Thunder to a stakes and course-record performance last winter. With his record-shattering performance in the 2014 Turf Dash, 5-year-old gelding Ancil earned an invitation to Royal Ascot in England for his owners, Kathy Thompson of Brooksville, Fla., and Scott Farmer, and his trainer, Joan Scott. It was one of five stakes victories during the 2013-14 meeting for Centeno. Trainer Dennis Ward saddled two-time Turf Dash Stakes winner Great Attack in 2012 and 2013 for his son, trainer Wesley Ward. Great Attack won the Grade III Twin Spires Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs in 2012 on Kentucky Derby Day and has competed in two editions of the Breeders‘ Cup Turf Sprint. He finished second in the 2011 Turf Dash. Great Attack is owned by Jeffrey Seder‘s Houyhnhnm Stable. The Houyhnhnms were a race of intelligent horses in Jonathan Swift‘s classic Gulliver’s Travels. Trainer Jamie Ness was unbeatable in this race from 2007-10, winning back-to-back with Lookinforthesecret, then saddling Castles in the Sky and Sneaking Uponyou. Centeno was aboard for the first three Ness triumphs and Huber Villa-Gomez rode Sneaking Uponyou. Bridgetown, the 2011 Turf Dash winner, was second in the 2009 Breeders‘ Cup Juvenile Turf. 113 The Wayward Lass STAKES HISTORIES The Wayward Lass Stakes $50,000 Guaranteed F/M 4-and-Up 1 1/16 Miles OWNER TRAINER 2nd 3rd 2015 Awesome Flower (1:43.87)^ JOCKEY Fernando De La Cruz Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey Michael Maker Elusive Fate Swinger's Party 2014 Dress the Part (1:45.13) Ronnie Allen, Jr. Glen Hill Farm Thomas Proctor Ambusher Montana Native 2013 Magic Hour (1:45.48) Ronnie Allen, Jr. Janis R. Whitham Ian Wilkes Fire Assay I Like It 2012 Arena Elvira (1:44.57) Leandro Goncalves Carolyn Wilson William Mott R Gypsy Gold Dash Dot Dash 2011 Choragus (1:44.39) Leandro Goncalves Lothenbach Stables Anthony Reinstedler C C's Pal Striking Dancer 2010 Don't Forget Gil (1:44.76) Daniel Centeno Alan Brodsky Mark Hennig Choragus Miss Match (ARG) 2009 Striking Tomisue (1:45.50) J. Bridgmohan TomisueHilbert&J.R. Menard Nicholas Zito Moon Catcher Boudoir 2008 Cash's Girl (1:44.93) Pablo Morales Cash is King LLC Tim Ritchey Lil's Lassie Colony Queen 2007 Funny Annie (1:45.23) Cecelio Penalba Matthews Stable Michael K. McDonald Porta Clasica Gadolinium 2006 Tasha Sangue (1:45.61) Carlos Montalvo George I. Elso Walter Rosas-Canessa Preach It Pitanga 2005 Joyful Ballad (1:44.71) Jose Lezcano Glen Hill Farm Thomas Proctor Slews Final Answer Grab Bag 2004 Pampered Princess (1:45.77) Jesus Castanon Martin Cherry Martin Wolfson Crimson and Roses Dakota Light 2003 Win's Fair Lady (1:43.94) Joseph Judice Sabine Stables Steven Standridge La Nina Dancer Four Plus Four 2002 Technical Key (1:45.20) Bobby Walker, Jr. Steve Richardson Don Rice Coolbythepool Pearly White 2001 Inside Affair (1:45.10) Juan Umana Harold Queen Heather Giglio Royal Fair Silver Stockings 2000 Inside Affair (1:45.23) William Henry Harold Queen Anthony Dutrow Misstress Kipper Quila 1999 Little Won (1:46.45) * Joseph Rocco, Sr. John Spencer, III Arnold Fink Native Gate Dancer Summit Park 1998 Topic Gallapiat (1:46.0) Gary Bain Richard Cummins Bob Peterson Hail the Queen Cindy's Sonnet 1997 Jeffreys Mom (1:46.2) Jose Velez, Jr. Queen's Land Farm R.J. Richards, Jr. Duchess Grace Effervescence 1996 Roadways (1:48.0) Jesse Garcia P. D. K. Racing Ltd. Kenneth Wirth Littlest Secretary Kate Howard 1995 Cavada (1:45.0) Ricardo Lopez Bebe Dalton Archie Smith, Jr. Jellied Madrilene Norfolk Lavender 1994 Current Gossip (1:46.0) Sebastian Madrid Sheila Dimare David Brownlee Miss Obsession Debby's Honeypiat 1993 Magal (1:44.4) Scott Spieth Dolores Tamargo Ray Tamargo My Gallant Birdie Golden Wildcat 1992 Forli's Lass (1:45.4) William Henry Star Racing Stable Art Pedregal, Jr. Sassy N Brassy Magal 1991 Leave It Be (1:46.0) Maureen Andrews D. Liberty Stables Norm Wismer Sassy N Brassy Victorious Trick WINNER 1990 Tia Juanita 1989 Stutz Goldrush 1988 Queen Alexandra 1987 Queen Alexandra 1986 Is Rosalind 1985 Sunset Strait ** ^ -- stakes record 114 * -- purse formerly $25,000-added ** -- run at 1 1/8 miles Awesome Flower shows her class and determination to annex the Wayward Lass. STAKES HISTORIES The $50,000 Wayward Lass Stakes Fastest Time: 1:43.87 AWESOME FLOWER (2015) Slowest Time: 1:48.0 ROADWAYS (1996) Longest Priced Winner: $95.00 TASHA SANGUE (2006) Shortest Priced Winner: $ 3.40 MAGAL (1993) Closest Winning Margin: NOSE INSIDE AFFAIR (2000) Largest Winning Margin: 10 Lengths WIN‘S FAIR LADY (2003) Shortest Price Loser: $ .70 MAGAL (1992) Track Condition: FAST All runnings except 1991 and 1996 (good) and 2003 (wet fast) Richest Purse: 2008 $ 65,000 Other Notes: Awesome Flower seems to be getting better with age. The 6-year-old mare‘s Wayward Lass victory was her fourth stakes triumph since June of 2014. Dress the Part, the 2014 winner, was 3-for-3 at Tampa Bay Downs during the 2013-14 season, all with Ronnie Allen, Jr., in the irons. Her sire, Malibu Moon, also sired 2013 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands winner Orb. The 2013 Wayward Lass Stakes winner, Janis R. Whitham‘s 4-year-old homebred Magic Hour, takes a backseat to few Thoroughbreds in terms of pedigree. Her sire, Awesome Again, won the 1998 Breeders‘ Cup Classic. Magic Hour‘s dam Affluent won four Grade I stakes for Whitham and trainer Ron McAnally; Affluent‘s sire, the great Affirmed, won the 1978 Triple Crown. Arena Elvira‘s thrilling Wayward Lass victory in 2012 was her fifth consecutive stakes score for local owner Carolyn Wilson. Previously, Arena Elvira won a pair of stakes at Saratoga in the summer of 2011, the Grade III Turnback the Alarm at Aqueduct and the Grade II Falls City Handicap at Churchill Downs. Arena Elvira‘s Wayward Lass jockey, Leandro Goncalves, won the 2011 edition on Choragus. Don‘t Forget Gil, the 2010 winner, loved Tampa Bay Downs; she won the Grade III Florida Oaks in 2009. In 1985, the first running of the Wayward Lass Stakes was at 1 1/8 miles. Jockey William Henry won this race twice: in 1992 with Forli‘s Lass and in 2000 with Inside Affair, for owner Harold Queen. Inside Affair won again for Queen in 2001 with Juan Umana in the irons. Queen Alexandra won both the 1987 and 1988 editions of the Wayward Lass Stakes. She was trained by George Baker. 115 STAKES HISTORIES Discontinued Stakes The Discovery Fillies 2 Year Olds $40,000 Guaranteed Seven Furlongs WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2ND 3RD 1991 Aggie Gene (1:27.3) 1990 Erica's Dream (1:25.45)+ William Henry Ricardo Lopez Star Racing Stables Shirley Howell Art Pedregal, Jr. B. E. Howell Blanche Be Mine National Finalist Bet Your Bonnet Wekive Run + Stakes Record GTBOA Stallion Season Auction Stakes $25,000 3 Year Olds & Up 1 1/16 Miles WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2000 Ben's Quixote (1:41.23) Jesse Garcia Sarah and Kenneth Ramsey Kenneth Wirth 2ND 3RD Keep Striking Kool Ruckus The Pinellas Stakes $50,000 Guaranteed Fillies 3 YearsOlds 1 1/16 on the turf WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2ND 3RD 2001 The Goddess Athird (1:43.08) 2000 Jera (1:41.46)+ 1999 Sangam (1:44.19)* Danny Scocca Derek Bell Jim McAleney Gilbert G. Campbell Steve Trizis A. Bhangoo Kathleen O'Connell Peter Klesaris Arthur Silvera Chausson Poire Grey Sky Schmoopy Across the Creek Trouville Dyna Might * Purse formerly $25,000 added + Stakes Record 116 STAKES HISTORIES Discontinued Stakes The Tampa Bay Downs Steeplechase $25,000 Maiden 4 Year Olds & Up 2 1/16 Miles WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2ND 3RD 2001 P. C. Plod (3:46.83) 2000 Red Classic (3:43.82)+ Craig Thornton Sean Clancy Mrs. S. K. Johnston Brushwood Stables Janet Elliot James Lawrence How Goes It Banjo Man Clearance Code Hall of Angels + Stakes Record The Vulcan Stakes $25,000 Guaranteed 3 Year Olds WINNER JOCKEY OWNER 1999 Mr. Carter (1:12.94) 1998 Broom Rider (1:12.2)+ Lenny Frazzitta, Jr. Gladys Moreland Dodie Duys Allen Koslin Six Furlongs TRAINER 2ND 3RD Zelko Krcmar Larry Bates Hogans Chief Pretty Dee Dee Dusty Ibis Poppas Beach, Daring Lass (DH) (DH) Dead Heat + Stakes Record 117 STAKES HISTORIES Discontinued Stakes The Chris Thomas Turf ClasFormerly the Columbia Stakes $75,000 Guaranteed 3 Year Olds & Up 1 1/8 Miles (turf) WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2ND 3RD 2009 Dinner in Odem (1:46.68) 2008 Revved Up (1:48.48) 2007 Therecomesatiger (1:49.53) 2006 Revved Up (1:48.25) 2005 Hear No Evil (1:49.40)^ 2004 Restage (1:48.03) 2003 Guardianofthegate (1:50.16) 2002 Guardianofthegate (1:48.12) 2001 Guardianofthegate (1:47.9) 2000 Lilys Cousin (1:46.34)+ Phil Teator Daniel Centeno Luis Gonzalez Eddie Castro Melvin Toro Jesus Castanon Tommy Pompell Dodie Duys Paula Bacon Derek Bell Peter & Sharyn Wasiluk Live Oak Plantation Charles Patton Live Oak Plantation Jacks or Better Farm Glen Hill Farm Brett Rice Brett Rice Brett Rice Lois Allen Peter Wasiluk Christophe Clement Thomas Proctor Christophe Clement Kenneth Decker Thomas Proctor Don Rice Don Rice Don Rice V. W. Reedy Sir Dave Victory Alleged Revved Up Ballonenostrikes Revved Up Coahoma Total Anilation Fun ‗N' Gun Trooper Red Atiba Sporting Art I‘m Only Laughing Puppeteer Big Tex Headline Milky Way Guy Dell Place Viva Pentelicus Special Coach Ben's Quixote + Stakes record ^ Name Changed to Chris Thomas Turf Classic in 2005 -- In 2010 race suspended Dinner in Odem puts his neck in front to capture the 10th running of the Chris Thomas Turf Classic 118 STAKES HISTORIES Discontinued Stakes The $75,000 Chris Thomas Turf Classic Fastest Time: 1:46.34 LILYS COUSIN (2000) Slowest Time: 1:50.16 GUARDIANOFTHEGATE (2003) Longest Priced Winner: $ 34.40 GUARDIANOFTHEGATE (2001) Shortest Priced Winner: $ 3.20 REVVED UP (2006) Closest Winning Margin: NECK GUARDIANOFTHEGATE (2001), DINNER IN ODEM (2009) Largest Winning Margin 4 Lengths GUARDIANOFTHEGATE (2002) Shortest Price Loser: $ 1.00 TV SPORTS DIRECTOR (2002) Track Condition: FIRM All runnings Richest Purse: 2005 $75,000 Other Notes: Thomas was a popular radio talk-show host who was also a Thoroughbred owner. Owner Brett Rice and trainer Don Rice won three times with Guardianofthegate in 2001, 2002, and 2003, with three different jockeys: Paula Bacon, Dodie Duys and Tommy Pompell. Restage, with jockey Jesus Castanon and trainer Thomas Proctor, was the first winner of the Chris Thomas Turf Classic when it was renamed in 2004. Proctor subsequently won the race again with Therecomesatiger in 2007 for owner Charles Patton and jockey Luis Gonzalez. Revved Up has won the race twice for owner Live Oak Plantation and trainer Christophe Clement: in 2006 under Eddie Castro and in 2008 with Daniel Centeno in the irons. The winner of the 2009 Chris Thomas Turf Classic, Dinner in Odem, has earned almost $400,000 in his career. 119 ARABIAN STAKES HISTORIES The Diamond Derby (Discontinued) $75,000 Est. Arabian 4 Year Olds Seven Furlongs WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2ND 3RD 2003 Stellarr (1:35.13) 2002 Doran Sbfar (1:34.9) 2001 Pardon My French (1:33.41) 2000 Mucho Caliente (1:32.59)+ 1999 Dreams of Valor (1:32.85) 1998 Tigres Light (1:35.0) 1997 The Wiking (1:34.3) 1996 Jest You Wait (1:34.2) Jesus Bracho Jesus Castanon Federico Mata Juan Umana Tommy Zamora Mike Pindell C. K. Murphy Sean Jones Dianne Waldron Dianne Waldron Trackside Farm Town and Country Farms Margo Wallace (lessee) Town and Country Farms Town and Country Farms Dunromin Arabians Dianne Waldron Phil Saxer Loren Nichols Hilton Werneth Lynn Ashby Roger Werneth Roger Werneth Lynn Ashby Just Lyke Me Bonuz Raising Cano Djolly Good Seyvilla Proof Paving the Way Vanilla Shaikh Noble Man Tops the Stars On the Mufv LF Fleetwood Mac Storrmy Weather Genuine Monarch Tigger Lucky Shawn Light the Night + Stakes Record $75,000 Diamond Derby Fastest Time: 1:32.59 MUCHO CALIENTE (2000) Slowest Time: 1:35.0 TIGRES LIGHT (1998) Longest Priced Winner: $ 21.40 MUCHO CALIENTE (2000) Shortest Priced Winner: $ 2.60 TIGRES LIGHT (1998) Closest Winning Margin: NECK DREAMS OF VALOR (1999) Largest Winning Margin: 12 ½ Lengths JEST YOU WAIT (1996) Shortest Price Loser: $ .80 SEYVILLA PROOF (1999) Track Condition: FAST All runnings Richest Purse: 1999 $95,000 Other Notes: No jockey won this race more than once. Owner Town and Country Farms won three times: twice with trainer Roger Werneth (in 1997 and 1998) and once with Hilton Werneth (in 2000). 120 ARABIAN STAKES HISTORIES The Sapphire (Discontinued) $75,000 Est. Arabian 4 Year Old Fillies Seven Furlongs WINNER JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER 2ND 3RD 2003 More Adorable (1:37.73) 2002 Tornade Du Loup (1:35.99) 2001 Djezebel (1:35.12) 2000 Adoraable (1:37.2) 1999 Royal Atheena (1:34.79)+ 1998 Dixie Darlene (1:36.0) 1997 Super Tiki (1:38.4) 1996 Sweet Girl Ma (1:36.4) + Stakes Record Christobal Morales Jesus Castanon Jesus Castanon Gary Boag Tommy Zamora Sean Jones Sean Jones Roxane Losey Kinsman / Cheryl Wright Dianne Waldron Dianne Waldron Kinsman / Cheryl Wright Genellen and H. Pike Bill Waldron J. and L. E. Brauninger, Jr. Sharon and Bob Magness Maureen Stillwell Phil Saxer Maureen Stillwell Phil Saxer Lynn Ashby Bill Waldron Lynn Ashby Lynn Ashby Dream Keeper French Braids Djenzel Prince Tiki Lore Star of Orzell Shes the Most Electyra Sey Proofs Fara Allez France Vamonos Juanita Mega C S Zeralda Josniere Golly What a Day Hidden Treasure Miss Bobbie Socks The $75,000 Sapphire Sprint Fastest Time: 1:34.79 ROYAL ATHEENA (1999) Slowest Time: 1:38.4 SUPER TIKI (1997) Longest Priced Winner: $10.00 TORNADE DU LOUP (2002) Shortest Priced Winner: $ 2.40 DIXIE DARLENE (1998) Closest Winning Margin: HEAD ADORAABLE (2000), TORNADE DU LOUP (2002) Largest Winning Margin: 8 Lengths SWEET GIRL MA (1996) Shortest Price Loser: $ .70 FRENCH BRAIDS (2002), A FOREIGN AFFAIR (2002) Track Condition: FAST All runnings except 2003 (sloppy) Richest Purse: 1999 $100,000 Other Notes: Jockey Jesus Castanon won this race twice for owner Dianne K. Waldron: in 2001 with Djezebel and in 2002 with Tornade Du Loup. Jockey Sean Jones also won twice: in 1997 with Super Tiki, and in 1998 with Dixie Darlene. Trainer Lynn Ashby won three times: in 1996 with Sweet Girl Ma, in 1997 with Super Tiki, and in 1999 with Royal Atheena. 121 122