Hector Diaz Jr. was expected back in action Wednesday at Tampa Bay Downs after missing his weekend mounts because of a spill in Friday’s fifth race. Diaz “was banged up pretty good,” said his agent, Shawn Klotz, after the jockey was thrown at the break when his mount, Himelstein, stumbled badly. “The horse stepped on him around his abdomen area,” Klotz said. “We really had no choice but to give it a few days. He’ll definitely be back Wednesday.” The spill temporarily halted the terrific momentum Diaz has built at the 2020-21 Tampa meet. Entering this week, he’s fourth in wins (45), mount earnings ($733,249), and win percentage (18.8) among jockeys who have had at least 15 rides. Diaz, 31, comes by his passion for racing naturally. Growing up in his native Puerto Rico near his cousins Irad and Jose Ortiz, Diaz is the son of a former jockey, Hector Diaz Sr. His younger brother Migue also rode races prior to being paralyzed in a spill at Aqueduct in December 2014. Diaz has ridden extensively in New York and New Jersey since he began his career in November 2016, but this is his first winter in Florida. He told Tampa publicity in a recent release: “My brother is my hero. He is the one who gave me the big push to do what I am doing now. I don’t know why, but I never think about his accident. I pray to God to protect all of us riders on the track, but we got to compete. When I’m on top of a horse, I just think about winning the race.” Florida Cup noms out Nominations were released over the weekend for the final six-figure stakes of the five-month Tampa meet, the March 28 Florida Cup, a series of six $110,000 races restricted to Florida-breds. :: Bet horse racing on DRF Bets. Double Your First Deposit Up to $250. Join Now. In all, 111 horses are nominated, with quite a few cross-entered in different races. Among the recognizable names are Tap It to Win, Last Judgment, and The Goddess Lyssa. The Florida Cup was canceled last March when its date coincided with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. This will be the 18th running. Dayoutoftheoffice tuning up Dayoutoftheoffice, runner-up in the Nov. 6 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in her most recent start, took another major step toward her 3-year-old debut when she breezed five furlongs in 1:01.20 over a fast Tampa track Friday. It was the second straight Friday that Dayoutoftheoffice was out for serious work as trainer Tim Hamm looks to get a qualifying prep into her before the April 30 Kentucky Oaks. Dayoutoftheoffice, by Into Mischief, won the Schuylerville and Frizette last year in New York prior to finishing second to Vequist in the Breeders’ Cup. ◗ Probably the best of nine races Wednesday at Tampa is the finale, a $16,000 claiming race for older filly and mare turf sprinters. My Sister’s Keeper, returning to turf after a couple of solid main-track efforts, is a lukewarm favorite in a full gate of 10. First post for a modest program comprised entirely of maiden and/or claiming races is 12:15 p.m. Eastern. ◗ Samy Camacho maintained his slight edge over Antonio Gallardo atop the local rider standings after both jockeys rode four winners last week. Camacho has a 76-74 lead into this week. ◗ The annual “Hearts Reaching Out” golf scramble that benefits the local Racetrack Chaplaincy of America is set for Monday at Eagles Golf Club in Odessa. More information is available by calling (304) 433-6808.