After a failed experiment on dirt, the connections of Fake Celebrity have moved their New York-bred gelding south to Florida, where on Wednesday he will take on open company in a first-level allowance at Tampa Bay Downs. Weather permitting, of course. Following some strong storms Sunday that knocked power out and forced the cancellation of the card’s last four races, more rain is in the forecast Wednesday, which could put this race – the last of nine on a card that begins at 12:40 p.m. – in jeopardy of staying on the turf. That is just one of many concerns Kathleen O’Connell, the new trainer of Fake Celebrity, has entering this 1 1/16-mile turf race, which drew a full field of 10 plus one main-track-only entrant. “The outside draw’s a big concern, the fact he’s been running with New York-breds is a concern, everything’s a concern,” said O’Connell, the leading trainer at the meet with 27 wins. “I’m just hoping it stays on the turf.” :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets. In races run at 1 1/16 miles at Tampa this meet, there have been four winners from 34 starters who broke from post 10. Fake Celebrity, when trained by Chad Brown, made four starts on turf, all in New York-bred company. He won his second career start in October of 2023, before being off for 11 months. Though he lost his two starts on turf in the fall of 2024, his speed figures improved. He didn’t have the smoothest of trips in a Nov. 16 first-level statebred race in which he finished fourth and was beaten four lengths. After that race, Fake Celebrity was moved to Rob Atras, where the Practical Joke gelding finished last in a $40,000 claimer for non-winners of two races on dirt at Aqueduct. Antonio Gallardo, who has ridden nine winners from 26 mounts for O’Connnell at this meet, has the call on Fake Celebrity. Though he’s been facing cheaper company, Endless Reign looks like a contender regardless of surface in this spot. Two back, he finished second in an off-the-turf $25,000 claimer, his first start off the Gerald Bennett claim. Last out, Endless Reign won a $16,000 claimer on the turf. Endless Reign is 2 for 3 over Tampa’s turf and leading rider Samuel Marin has the call. Oishi returns from a brief freshening for trainer Gerard Ochoa. The 4-year-old gelding looks like an off-the-pace contender in this race provided it stays on turf. Oishi had been running consistently in the money in this condition during the summer and early fall before an eighth-place finish in this condition at Tampa on Nov. 29. In that race, he finished 4 1/2 lengths behind Card Trick, who was a sharp winner of a second-level allowance at Tampa on Saturday with an 88 Beyer Speed Figure. Damaso likely for stakes try Sent off the 3-5 favorite, Damaso was expected to win a third-level allowance conducted at Tampa Bay Downs last Friday. But the 5-year-old mare had to overcome a lot to get the 1 1/2-length victory, one that may have trainer Kathleen O’Connell shopping around for a stakes opportunity. Damaso, who seemed to be more comfortable in a forward position, acted up in the starting gate and leapt up when the doors open, breaking last of eight. She pulled rider Daniel Centeno during the early stage of the race, made a middle move to reach contention, then had to wait for running room. In upper stretch, Centeno guided her into the clear and powered home a strong winner over her O’Connell-trained stablemate Dream Concert. While it was Damaso’s sixth career win – five on turf – Dream Concert was running long on turf for the first time after finishing third in the Wayward Lass, a route stakes on dirt. “I was very happy with both of them,” O’Connell said. “I was very pleased with the recovery of Damaso, she’s been so sharp. She was acting up in the gate at the wrong time, hopped out and stumbled and it took her out of her usual element. . . . She’s like most fillies – they don’t like to be told what to do. It’s very important how the race unfolds.” Damaso earned an 85 Beyer for her victory, her fourth over Tampa’s turf. O’Connell said the Grade 2, $225,000 Hillsborough Stakes on March 8 would be considered “but that will be very deep waters,” O’Connell said. “We’re looking for something that makes sense.” :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.