Kanagaro looks to start new winning streak in turf feature

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Kanagaro, who won five straight races on the Tapeta surface at Presque Isle Downs this season and was beaten four lengths in his last start on turf at Laurel Park, goes after his seventh win of the season as the tepid choice in a well-matched group of optional-claiming routers entered for Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile turf feature at Tampa Bay Downs.

The Jamie Ness trainee tried nine furlongs in that most recent outing against similar second-level optional-claiming competition and may have been stretched just a bit beyond his best distance, turning in an even effort while seventh.

Prior to that effort, the 6-year-old was a fast-closing second in his first attempt over the Laurel grass course, finishing just a half-length back of Our Emerald Forest. Prior to that placing, Kanagaro won five straight at Presque Isle while racing with $25,000 claiming routers. The consistent veteran has knocked out $109,500 in earnings this season for the powerful Midwest Thoroughbreds Inc. stable.

Explore, who showed promise over the local course earlier this season, comes off a freshening and deserves a long look. Claimed by Maria Bowersock for Burkholder Stables Inc. from a win in his debut here, the Stroll gelding came back to be in a three-horse photo in a race won by Ex Pirate. That one came back to win a statebred stakes on the grass in his next start on Florida Cup Day.

Explore has been racing with allowance types at sprint distances in his most recent outings and should appreciate the added distance of Saturday’s race.

Stormy Pacific will have to draw into the race from the also-eligible list, but if he does, he certainly deserves a long look. Fourth last time out in his first try on turf in the Grade 3 Jefferson Cup, Stormy Pacific won his first race at Tampa Bay Downs sprinting on the main track, and the Dale Bennett trainee rarely runs a poor race.

KEY CONTENDERS

Kanagaro (Last 3 Beyers: 78-84-81)

◗ May have been asked to race beyond his best distance last out. Looks ideally suited to Saturday’s distance.

◗ Has tactical speed from the rail and figures to be on or close to the pace in a field that isn’t full of speed types.

Explore (Last 3 Beyers: 70-60-71)

◗ This one won on the front end over the Tampa course in his debut. Coming off a layoff, he may set the pace.

◗ Has been training smartly for his first race since August, including a five-furlong black-letter drill of 59 seconds flat Dec. 8.

Stormy Pacific (Last 3 Beyers: 78-85-77)

◗ If this one can draw into the race, he may prove to be the value bet of the field. By the prolific turf sire Stormy Atlantic, he hails from one of the sharper barns at Tampa, and his fourth in a graded stakes at Churchill sets him up nicely for this spot.

Back Away (Last 3 Beyers: NA-83-76)

◗ When you throw out his last over a sloppy main track, it’s not hard to make a case for this one being an upset possibility. A winner two back over the grass at Belmont, this proven veteran has 14 career wins, including four over the Tampa infield, and gets Daniel Centeno in the irons. Valid longshot chance.