Jeannie's Beepbeep among 34 nominated to Gasparilla

Entries will be taken Wednesday for the first three stakes of 2019 at Tampa that make up Saturday’s Skyway Festival.

Two of the stakes, the Pasco and Gasparilla, are seven-furlong races for 3-year-olds with a particular emphasis on Florida-breds. Purses for each begin at $50,000, but as much as $75,000 in additional bonuses are available to horses registered with the Florida Sire Stakes and/or the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association.

Among the 34 fillies nominated to the Gasparilla is Jeannie’s Beepbeep, whose flashy 5 1/4-length debut triumph Dec. 15 produced numerous offers for a private sale. As yet, however, the Successful Appeal filly remains in the barn of Tony Granitz, who said this week he will discuss with owner-breeder Kendel Standlee about whether the filly will run in the Gasparilla.

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The Pasco, which drew 27 nominations, is the main local prep for the Sam F. Davis.

The third Skyway Festival stakes is the $50,000 Wayward Lass for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles.

Imperial Hint set for second breeze

Trainer Luis Carvajal Jr. said a second breeze on the comeback trail for the standout sprinter Imperial Hint could come as early as Sunday, weather pending. The 6-year-old sprint star worked a bullet half-mile in 47.40 seconds on Jan. 3 and is being pointed to the Feb. 16 Pelican at Tampa as a prep for the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen on March 30.

Imperial Hint was third as the favorite in the Nov. 3 BC Sprint at Churchill Downs and is one of three sprint finalists in the 2018 Eclipse Awards to be announced Jan. 24.

◗ Going into Friday action at Tampa, Samy Camacho continued to lead the jockey standings with 41 winners and a $2.27 ROI. Antonio Gallardo, the perennial kingpin, is second with 26 wins and a $1.51 ROI. Among trainers, Gerald Bennett led Kathleen O’Connell by a 20-12 count.

◗ The nominal feature on a 10-race Sunday card is a $22,500, first-level allowance (race 8) for fillies and mares going a mile on the turf. First post is 12:15 p.m. Eastern.