Andina Del Sur's well-timed move pays off in Florida Oaks

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Andina Del Sur made the lead precisely when it counted, edging past Goodthingstaketime in the shadow of the wire before a late burst by Altea could overtake them both in a thrilling 35th running of the Grade 3, $150,000 Florida Oaks on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs.

Ridden by Julien Leparoux, Andina Del Sur returned $28.20 with her first stakes victory from four career starts. The daughter of Giant’s Causeway is trained by Tom Albertrani for the Don Alberto Corp.

A fast pace unfolded in the Florida Oaks, a 1 1/16-mile turf race, with none of the early leaders around at the finish. Goodthingstaketime, ridden by Joel Rosario, was first to pounce, looping the field leaving the quarter-pole to strike the front. But Andina Del Sur, among the early trailers, was following right behind her, and she finally poked her nose in front just as the outside rally by Altea came a stride or two too late.

Among those caught up on swift fractions was Salsa Bella, who faded to fifth as the 2-1 favorite.

The winning time was 1:42.37 over firm going.

The $2 exacta (5-9) paid $331.80, the $1 trifecta (5-9-2) returned $672.60, and the 10-cent superfecta (5-9-2-7) was worth $710.90.