Joe Tess looks to rebound in Tampa sprint

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Joe Tess, who lost all chance to win his third straight race when he broke in the air last time out, tops a solid field of eight optional-claiming sprinters in Saturday’s 5 1/2-furlong headliner.

Joe Tess started his career on the West Coast, where he broke slowly and wound up last in his debut at Santa Anita in March 2013 while racing for trainer Steve Asmussen. Off until last December and sent to trainer Derek Ryan’s stable, Joe Tess returned in a seven-furlong maiden special weight sprint here. Racing with blinkers for the first time, Joe Tess sprinted clear, set very quick fractions that included six furlongs in 1:10, then completed seven furlongs in 1:23.20 to leave the winless ranks by two lengths. The clocking was one of the faster seven furlongs of the Tampa meet.

Brought back with winners for the first time, Joe Tess used his speed again, moving clear early and leading throughout an optional-claiming sprint to win by 1 1/4 lengths while covering six furlongs in 1:10.60.

Last time out, Joe Tess was bet down to 2-5 favoritism in another optional-claiming sprint but lost any real chance to win when he broke in the air at the start. He made up ground to the stretch but had to settle for third.

Since that race, Ryan has schooled Joe Tess in the gate and worked his charge three furlongs in 36.20 seconds from the gate March 30, the quickest move of the day at the distance. He followed that with another black-letter move of 1:01 on April 6.

Joe Tess, a 4-year-old gelding, looms the horse to catch Saturday under Ronnie Allen Jr.

Guam Typhoon faded badly in his last start when Evolution Rocks sped six furlongs in 1:08.40 en route to victory in an optional-claiming sprint at Gulfstream Park. He returns to friendlier surroundings Saturday and tops the challengers to Joe Tess.

Trained by Jamie Ness, Guam Typhoon has won three of seven starts and finished second a like number of times over the Tampa main track. Two races back, Guam Typhoon posted one of the fastest 5 1/2-furlong clockings of the meeting when he sped the distance in 1:03 en route to a popular win over similar foes. A winner of 15 races, Guam Typhoon is making just his fourth start since November and is a formidable threat.

Truc’s Love will be making his first start since September and is seeking his third win in a row. He is now trained by Maria Bowersock after being claimed in his last start.

Backwater Blues is a four-time winner over the local strip who will be returning to the main track after finishing a fast-closing fourth in a five-furlong turf sprint.