Cox well stocked for Tampa Bay Derby Day

Trainer Brad Cox will likely have the favorite in the Tampa Bay Derby in Further Ado, but he is also likely to have big chances in several of the other stakes on Saturday’s card.

Cox said Sunday that he will probably run Disco Time in the Grade 3, $125,000 Challenger Stakes going 1 1/16 miles on dirt. Disco Time, who won his first five starts, including three stakes, suffered his first career defeat in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup when he got involved in a speed duel and faded to eighth.

Others under consideration for the Challenger include Catalytic, Disruptor, Neoequos, Paynter’s Prodigy, Racing Driver, and Solo Venturi.

Cox said he is likely to run Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf winner Destino d’Oro in the Grade 2, $225,000 Hillsborough Stakes going 1 1/8 miles on turf. Others pointing to that race include Aunt Mo, Child of the Moon, Proctor Street, Scythian, and Whiskey Decision. Golden Sunshine is possible.

:: Celebrating 100 Years of racing at Tampa Bay Downs! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now.

Time to Dream, winner of the P.G. Johnson Stakes last summer at Saratoga, heads the probables for the Grade 3, $200,000 Florida Oaks for 3-year-old fillies on turf. She is looking to rebound from a 10th-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Those expected to face her include Abigail, Backgammon, Bramble Blast, Kokomotion, Laigina, Special Wood, and Tam Tam.

Alypland, winner of the Dania Beach Stakes, will likely go favored in the $125,000 Columbia Stakes for 3-year-old males on turf. A Million Dreams, Bronze Bullet, Knick’s Honor, Mr Mo’s Magic, and Vino Solo are also expected to run.

◗ Tampa Bay Downs announced there will be $5,000 purse increases to all overnight races scheduled for Saturday’s card. That includes the Manatee Overnight Handicap, which will now be worth $70,000.

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