Omega Cat seeks shot at Endeavour

OLDSMAR, Fla. - Omega Cat hasn't done much wrong while romping to a pair of eye-catching victories here at Tampa Bay Downs this meeting. Another strong performance as the probable favorite in a field of eight runners entered in Saturday's allowance feature at 1 1/16 miles on the turf may well earn her a spot in the Grade 3 Endeavour Stakes on Feb. 13.

The open allowance prep for the Endeavour goes as race 6 on the 11-race program.

Omega Cat, a 4-year-old filly whose mother is a half-sister to stakes winner Therecomesatiger, comes into the race in peak form.

Omega Cat faced second-level optional $32,000 claimers in her first local outing, which came at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. She sat off the early pace for five furlongs, then burst to contention with a flourish into the stretch and pulled away for a 1 1/2-length tally under Rosemary Homeister Jr.

Omega Cat showed her versatility next out when another optional claiming route was moved from the turf to the main track. She again sat off the pace early, then pulled away smartly to win by 8 1/2 lengths.

Unbeaten in two outings over the Tampa turf course, Omega Cat looks tough to beat in this spot.

Secret Kin, a consistent Illinois-bred who has amassed earnings of $335,715 with seven victories, is an upset possibility. Trained by Chris Block, Secret Kin has been splitting her time between tough optional claiming and stakes company of late. Her best turf effort was a fast-closing second in the Kentucky Cup Ladies Turf going a mile at Kentucky Downs last fall.

Anything the Block stable sends out should be respected as the barn has won with three of its first four starters at this meeting.

Other contenders include Cure for Sale, a fast-closing fourth in the Lightning City Stakes here on opening day at five furlongs on the grass, and In My Glory, who moves to a longer distance for her second start since June.

Last season, In My Glory led into the late stages of the Grade 2 Dahlia Handicap at Hollywood Park before just weakening to finish third, beaten 1 1/2 lengths by the graded stakes winner Vacare.

Sales Tax makes her first start since November. The late-closing mare has been stakes placed on several occasions and was awarded the 2008 All Brandy Handicap through disqualification after finishing second in that 1 1/8-mile race.