Concrete Glory notches first stakes with Pelican
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Concrete Glory scored his 18th career victory - but first in a stakes - when he broke running under Irad Ortiz Jr. and was never seriously threatened as he galloped to a two-length victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Pelican Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
Concrete Glory was let go at odds of 6-1 primarily because of his last-place finish in the Commodore Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Jan. 3. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. explained in a pre-race interview aired on the Tampa Bay Downs simulcast that Concrete Glory was compromised by a case of the Thumps, an electrolyte imbalance, in that race.
That excuse proved legitimate as on Saturday Concrete Glory, in a race seemingly loaded with speed, was too fast early and late in the Pelican.
Under Ortiz, Concrete Glory made the lead and opened up a 1 1/2-length advantage after running a half-mile in 44.59 seconds. Concrete Glory opened up a three-length lead in midstretch before settling for her two-length score.
Track Mate, under Flavien Prat, closed widest of all to get second, one length in front of Silver Slugger, the slight 3-1 favorite who was the one closest to Concrete Glory early. Finishing behind Silver Slugger, in order, were Rolando, Chrome Ghost, El Principito, Naughty Rascal and Beach Colt. Wound Up was scratched.
Concrete Glory, a 7-year-old gelding by Bodemeister whom Joseph claimed for $6,250 in December 2022, covered the six furlongs in 1:09.74 and returned $14.40 to win. Concrete Glory is 18 for 41 for his career, 12 for 20 for Joseph.
Joseph won three races on the card including the Minaret Stakes with Mystic Lake.
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