SUPER STAKES DRAWS FIELD OF FOURTEEN
OLDSMAR, Fla. (February 9, 2007) The 17th renewal of Tampa Bay Downs’ Super Stakes on Saturday offers a field of fourteen exceptional horses, including several notable entries. Weigelia, from conditioner Michael Trombetta’s stable, won the Grade III Kenny Noe, Jr. Handicap at Calder Race Course two starts ago. He clearly likes the 7/8 mile distance and looks to add to his earnings of nearly $900,000. However, he was beaten by Kirk Ziadie starter D’artagnan’sspirit, who missed January 13’s Pelican Stakes by 2 ½ lengths.
Top conditioner Todd Pletcher’s entry Yes Yes Yes is coming off of a layoff after a very impressive win at Churchill Downs. He’s drawn a comfortable slot in the fourth post position and has Jockey of the Month Carlos Montalvo in the irons. He’s finished in the money twelve times out of fifteen lifetime starts and has a history of running well after a layoff.
The winner of last month’s Pelican Stakes is leading Tampa Bay Downs trainer Lynne Scace’s Roman Candles; the horse has proven himself on the Oldsmar oval and put in a bullet work here on the 8th. However, Roman Candles has a lot to overcome in breaking from post position 13.
Above the Wind, the veteran Ron Allen, Sr. entry, has won this stake before; he’s as tough as they come, but some horses he faces in this race are six years his junior. However, he’s shown his affinity for the Tampa Bay Downs surface in the past and is a tough horse to leave out of exotics.
Racing resumes tomorrow, February 10 with an eleven race card, and the first round of the NTRA/Daily Racing Form handicapping contest begins tomorrow. Family Fiesta Day will highlight the Sunday card, with free admission to the picnic area from noon to three. There will be free arcade games, pony rides and more for the whole family. Gates will open at 11:00 and post time for the first race is 12:25 PM. The Silks Card Room will remain open from noon through midnight.