Bennett still needs three wins to hit 4,000
Invariably, it happens. A trainer or jockey is barely shy of a major milestone, and suddenly they can’t find the winner’s circle.
Gerald Bennett, the leading trainer at Tampa Bay Downs, is still three shy of becoming just the 14th trainer in North American racing history to win 4,000 races after going winless with his 13 starters during the first three days of the Tampa meet. Only one of those, however, was the post-time favorite.
Bennett surely will reach the mark sooner than later. The 77-year-old conditioner has five entries Wednesday, with none higher than 6-1 on the Tampa morning line (although one of them, Roaring River in race 9, is a main track-only designate likely to scratch).
Meanwhile, trainer Eoin Harty, with Andy Hansen as his local assistant, got a quick start to the meet by winning with three of his first six starters. Three other lesser-known stables also began with two winners from limited chances – Earl Robinson, Jesse Cruz, and Brian Lusk.
Two stakes Saturday
The first two stakes of the meet are set for Saturday with the Inaugural and Sandpiper, both for 2-year-olds. Entries for both six-furlong races will be drawn Wednesday.
Among the colts and geldings expected for the 36th Inaugural are Captain Cajun, Concrete Glory, Little Vic, Viva Victory, and Whistlewhileyoumow. Fillies probable for the 44th Sandpiper include Chasing Happiness, Last Leaf, She’s My Warrior, and Strategic Bird.
Purses for both races are listed as $100,000, although $50,000 is to be shared among the top finishers and another $50,000 is to be paid solely to the winner if he or she is a registered Florida-bred. They are preps for the Pasco and Gasparilla, to be run Jan. 15 at seven furlongs.
The biggest dates at the five-month-plus meet are Feb. 12, when the Sam F. Davis will be run, and March 12, Tampa Bay Derby Day.