Geroux has full dance card at Tampa

OLDSMAR, Fla. – While a handful of top jockeys will be flying in on a private charter Saturday morning from the Miami area for Tampa’s biggest day of the year – including John Velazquez, Jose Lezcano, Joel Rosario, Julien Leparoux, and both of the Ortiz brothers, Irad and Jose – Florent Geroux will join them from the opposite direction after riding Friday night at Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

Geroux has Quip in the Tampa Bay Derby, Lovely Bernadette in the Hillsborough, and commitments in the other three stakes.

Dona Bruja awaiting Jenny Wiley

Dona Bruja, who defeated La Coronel by four lengths in winning the Endeavour here Feb. 10, remains on target for the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley on April 7 at Keeneland, said trainer Ignacio Correas. Dona Bruja is skipping the Hillsborough by design.

“It was run in one race or the other here at Tampa before we go to Keeneland,” said Correas. “She is doing very well.”

Dona Bruja had her first breeze since the Endeavour when going a half-mile in 47 seconds here last Saturday.

◗ Jockey Mike Allen has been closing in on a major milestone here this winter. Allen, who rode his first winner on Jan. 21, 1986 at Tampa, entered Wednesday action with 1,996 career wins and an 11-for-74 record at the 2017-18 meet.

◗ While group photos are frequently taken of jockeys on big days at some tracks, Tampa management is organizing a group photo of trainers for Saturday. All trainers on the grounds are urged to join in, with a time and place to be announced.