My Eclair poised to gain maiden win regardless of surface

Thundershowers are in the forecast for much of this week, but My Eclair most likely will start at Tampa Bay Downs, regardless, when a four-day race week gets under way Wednesday at the Oldsmar, Fla., track.

“Turf or dirt, I’d say he’ll definitely run,” said Mike Stidham, who trains My Eclair for the Hill ‘N’ Dale Farm of owner-breeder Richard L. Duchossois.

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Either way, My Eclair figures as the favorite with Antonio Gallardo aboard in the only non-claiming race on a modest eight-race card at Tampa, where action begins at 12:30 p.m. Eastern. The 3-year-old gelding is one of 12 entered in a $20,000 maiden-special dash (race 2) scheduled for five furlongs on turf. Four of the 12 are designated as also-eligibles, but that’s only if the race stays on turf.

“He’s only run on the turf so far, but he’s worked very well on the main track,” said Stidham, referring to a bullet half-mile work in 47.20 seconds on March 26.

My Eclair has started twice, both times at Tampa. He led to midstretch and finished second going five furlongs in his debut, and also led for much of the way before ending up fourth stretching out to a mile on Feb. 12 in his second start.

My Eclair, by Speightstown, was produced by Eclair de Lune, whose victory under the Duchossois silks in the 2010 Beverly D. resulted in one of the most emotional post-race scenes in Arlington Park history, mostly because the race is named for Duchossois’s late wife, Beverly.

A breakthrough score by My Eclair would be quite welcome, given that Eclair de Lune, now 14, has struggled as a broodmare, with her prior foals having combined for just one win.

“She’s been a disappointment in that respect, but this horse has shown some ability,” Stidham said by phone from his primary base at the Fair Hill Training Center in northern Maryland. “Hopefully, he’ll get the job done for Mr. D,” the 98-year-old Arlington chairman emeritus who resides in Barrington, Ill.

Stidham, with Ben Trask as his on-site assistant at Tampa, has 24 wins from 84 starts at the Tampa meet, which began Nov. 27. He’s tied for second with Kathleen O’Connell atop the local standings, trailing only Gerald Bennett (42 wins), while his 28.6 percent win rate is tops among all trainers with at least 30 starts.

For his part, Gallardo holds a 91-84 lead over Samy Camacho atop the local rider standings. Camacho was the leading jockey at the 2018-19 meet, while Gallardo was tops at four of the five prior Tampa meets.

◗ Tampa was one of just three American tracks to conduct racing last Wednesday, when all-sources handle of nearly $7 million was boosted by a single-pool handle of nearly $1.7 million on the late pick five. Once again, Fonner Park and Will Rogers Downs are the only other tracks in action this Wednesday.

There is a carryover of $51,835 in the 20-cent pick six, which spans races 3-8. All even-numbered races are scheduled for turf and all odd-numbered for the main track.

◗ Jockey Jose Leon is expected to be sidelined at least seven weeks after suffering two dislocated fingers and pulled leg ligaments when thrown from his mount, Blue Solo, an 87-1 shot in the last race Saturday. Leon has ridden 61 winners since he began riding in the United States in 2018.