Mystery Giver back to races at Tampa Bay

Mystery Giver, who has not raced since suffering a torn suspensory ligament in his right hind leg during the 2004 Arlington Million, will take his first step on the comeback trail Saturday, when he starts in the ninth race at Tampa Bay Downs, an optional claiming race at about 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Mystery Giver, an Illinois-bred turf specialist, has won of 11 of 33 starts and more than $1.1 million for Illinois-based trainer Chris Block and his family, who are the 8-year-old gelding's owner and breeder.

Mystery Giver scored his biggest career win in the Grade 2 Mervin Muniz Jr. Handicap at the Fair Grounds in March 2004. He also won the Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap three consecutive years (2002 to 2004) and was second, beaten a head by Senor Swinger, in the Grade 3 Arlington Handicap before injuring himself and finishing 10th in the Million.