Tampa: Great Attack doesn't settle for second best in return visit to Turf Dash

Tom Cooley Photography

Great Attack captures his first career stakes, earning a 96 Beyer Speed Figure, in the $75,000 Turf Dash.

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Great Attack came up a neck short in last year’s Turf Dash at Tampa Bay Downs to the Todd Pletcher-trained Bridgetown but earned his first stakes win last Saturday when he outkicked Western Prospector by three-quarters of a length in the $75,000 Turf Dash.

Great Attack, fourth last year in the Breeder’s Cup Turf Sprint, covered the five furlongs Saturday over a good and somewhat giving turf course in 55.93 seconds. He earned a 96 Beyer Speed Figure.

Western Prospector was just outmotored to the wire, finishing a length in front of former South Africa star Private Jet, who went off as the slight favorite at 2-1 in the eight-horse field.

“We were back further than I wanted early and he seemed a bit uncomfortable with the footing, maybe because it was wet,” jockey Jeffrey Sanchez said of Great Attack. “But when we went into the turn he got more and more confident and by the time we got into the stretch he was really firing.”

Hooh Why targets Hillsborough

Part owner Mark Hoffman said Hooh Why will make her next start in the Grade 3, $150,000 Hillsborough Stakes here on March 10.

Hooh Why upset a strong field in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Stakes at Gulfstream Park last out at odds of 17-1. She is just $57,000 short of hitting the million-dollar mark in career earnings.

Proctor pair score in career debuts

Trainer Tom Proctor sent out two promising youngsters to win at first asking on Friday. Temeraine ($4) a 3-year-old Arch colt, rallied from off the pace to capture a 5 1/2-furlong sprint in 1:05.25. He got a 56 Beyer. Never Tell Lynda ($12.40) overcame ducking to the inside at the start to take the five-furlong nightcap in 58.92. She was awarded a 67 Beyer.

Quick Turn, a Bill Mott first-timer, was all but eliminated when roughed and squeezed back at the start of the nightcap, but came running late and is a filly to watch for next out.

Island Bound, Riversrunrylee look good

Last Thursday’s program was highlighted by a pair of noteworthy efforts.

In a second-level optional $32,000 claiming sprint at seven furlongs, Island Bound rallied outside through the final furlong to put away White Merlo and post a two-length victory while covering the distance in a very quick 1:22.81 and earning an 86 Beyer. The win was second from three starts over the local strip for the Ian Wilkes-trained Island Bound, who lost a heartbreaker after leading late in the Manatee Stakes.

White Merlo, a graded-stakes-placed filly who was making her first start since July, was right in the thick of things to deep stretch before tiring. According to her trainer, Robert Smith, she came out of the race in good shape.

Earlier in the program, Riversrunrylee led throughout a mile and 40-yard optional $32,000 claimer to post his 16th win. Riversrunrylee, who races for Larry Vaughn’s L & D Farm, has been trained by Juan Camilo throughout his career.

◗ Angel Serpa posted a riding triple on Saturday’s card. Serpa now has 30 wins in his first season riding in Tampa.