Lake Drive South won’t be longshot this time

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Lake Drive South, who roared from far back to upset the Hilton Garden Inn/Hampton Inn and Suites Sprint on Florida Cup Day, tops a tough group of eight sprinters in Saturday’s seven-furlong feature at Tampa Bay Downs, a second-level, $32,000 claimer.

Leading rider Antonio Gallardo will handle Lake Drive South for trainer Kathleen O’Connell as the 4-year-old colt goes after his fourth win over the Tampa main track this season.

In his last start, Lake Drive South was ignored in the wagering in the six-furlong Sprint and indeed was last for a half-mile under Luis Garcia. But he kicked into gear when swung outside in upper stretch and closed with a rush along the outside to run down Star Harbour in the closing strides at odds of 15-1.

The win was the third of the meet for Lake Drive South. In his first local start and his first outing after moving to the O’Connell barn, Lake Drive South upset a field of $16,000 claiming sprinters at 11-1. Raised in class to $25,000 and stretched out to seven furlongs, Lake Drive South showed more speed to duel throughout and outgamed Grey by You by a nose, this time at 27-1.

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While Lake Drive South might go off as the betting choice, he faces no easy task. Grey by You makes his first start for Jamie Ness. The 5-year-old Grey by You has a win and five seconds from seven starts over the main track here this season and has been first or second in 15 of 36 lifetime starts.

Houston Bull, who won impressively in his most recent start for his second tally this season at Tampa, and Gone as Wind, who led to midstretch against Grey by You in his first start in more than a year, also merit a look.

Race 7

KEY CONTENDERS

Lake Drive South (Last 3 Beyers: 83-81-75)

◗ Versatile, dead honest, and absolutely loves the Tampa strip. There looks to be enough speed for him to stalk from the outside and post win No. 4 at this meeting.

Gone as Wind (Last 3 Beyers: 64-67-67)

◗ Raced with top 3-year-old company last year, turned in a very good race after a year off last out, and might not look back with that race under his belt.

Grey by You (Last 3 Beyers: 74-79-81)

◗ The kind whom numbers guys love, as indicated by five claims from his last 12 starts. Rarely runs a clunker but seems to like to finish second. A must-use in exotics.