Mott, Velasquez win two stakes

OLDSMAR, Fla. - My Lordship angled to the middle of the course out of the second turn, then drove to the lead in midstretch en route to a one-length victory over Laurafina in the $120,500 at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday.

The Endeavour was one of two undercard stakes on the Festival Preview Day card that was topped by the Sam F. Davis Stakes.

Cornelio Velasquez got his second stakes win of the afternoon for trainer Bill Mott aboard My Lordship, who scored her third straight stakes win on the turf and seventh career win. The 5-year-old daughter of Lord Avie returned $9.40 while covering the 1 1/16 miles over a firm course in a very fast 1:40.26.

Amorama, the 6-5 favorite, finished four lengths behind Laurafina in third, with Zona finishing a tiring fourth after leading into the stretch.

The $75,000 winner's share of the Endeavour raised My Lordship's career earnings to $474,463.

In the $60,000 Suncoast Stakes, Crystal Current, owned by Kinsman Stable, stamped herself as one of the early favorites for this year's Florida Oaks on March 18. She overcame being hung outside much of the race to pull away through the final furlong for an authoritative 4 1/2-length win in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies. With Velasquez riding for Mott, Crystal Current, making her first start since winning her maiden in late November, was timed in 1:45.37 while clearly best in the field of eight.

Saffronista rallied along the outside late to pick up second by 1 1/2 lengths over pacesetter Taylor Madison. The 7-5 favorite, Capozzene, finished sixth after pressing the pace to the stretch.

Crystal Current, a daughter of A.P. Indy, now has earnings of $64,610.