Andromeda's Hero escapes trouble
OLDSMAR, Fla. - Overcoming some early traffic problems, Andromeda's Hero burst out of the pack under jockey Rafael Bejarano and blew by Summer Legacy leaving the furlong marker for a 2 1/2-length victory in the $100,000 on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs.
Part of the favored Nick Zito-trained entry with G P's Black Knight, Andromeda's Hero ($5.60) covered 1 1/16 miles over a fast but dull racing strip in 1:46.63 while posting his second win from four career starts.
Summer Legacy, a 52-1 longshot, had gained a clear lead in midstretch of the traditional prep for the Grade 3, $250,000 Tampa Bay Derby but was no match for Andromeda's Hero while finishing more than six lengths ahead of Captain Lindsay, who checked in third. Mad Adam came from last in the early going to wind up fourth.
Nicandro set the early pace in the Davis while Andromeda's Hero and Bejarano had to deal with being bumped about through the first turn after breaking from the far outside in post 12. Settled behind horses on the backstretch, Andromeda's Hero, eighth after the first half-mile, began weaving through traffic in the second turn, then swung four wide in upper stretch to set sail for the leader. He collared Summer Legacy at the eighth pole, then quickly drew off.
It was the first stakes appearance for Andromeda's Hero, a son of Fusaichi Pegasus who had finished fourth in a first-level allowance at Gulfstream Park in his first start as a 3-year-old.
Get Down, third choice while making his 2005 debut, was also roughed up in the first turn and never recovered to finish 10th, while the Todd Pletcher trainee Killenaule, the second choice in the wagering, faded to seventh after racing close up early
* In the $100,000 Endeavour Stakes, Delta Princess ($6.40) came from last to run down Fast Cookie in the final strides as horses trained by Bill Mott finished first and second. Delta Princess finished a half-length ahead of her stablemate, covering 1 1/16 miles over good turf in 1:43.54.
* In the $60,000 Suncoast Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, favored Toll Taker ($4) got the jump on second choice Gotta Rush to open a 2 1/2-length advantage in midstretch, then held on for a 1 3/4-length victory over Gotta Rush. Trained by Tim Hill, Toll Taker covered 1 1/16 miles over a track labeled wet fast in 1:46.15.