Race flow should benefit Inkling in turf sprint feature
OLDSMAR, Fla. – The pace should be fast and contested in the featured ninth race at Tampa Bay Downs on Friday, and that would set things up nicely for Inkling, who rallied impressively to win his only U.S. start back in September for trainer Wesley Ward.
The no-conditions allowance offers a purse of $28,000, and seven of the nine entrants are in for the optional $100,000 claiming tag. The race is likely to produce contenders for the $100,000 Turf Dash, a five-furlong grass sprint for horses ages 4 and up here Jan. 9.
Inkling, a 4-year-old son of Duporth, went 2 for 6 in his native Australia last year before joining Ward’s barn. In his only subsequent start, he was favored in an optional $62,500 claimer going five furlongs on the Del Mar turf on Sept. 4 and didn’t disappoint, rallying from four lengths back to win by 1 1/2 lengths under Kent Desormeaux. Inkling finished in 57.61 seconds and earned a 91 Beyer Speed Figure, the top turf figure in Friday’s field.
Inkling would benefit from a speed duel between Normandy Crossing and Rivzinthehouse, who will start from posts 2 and 3.
Normandy Crossing most recently led most of the way in a rich turf-sprint allowance at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5 before finishing second, beaten four lengths by the graded stakes winner Hogy.
“This race came up pretty tough, but he’s training good and seems pretty happy in Florida right now, so we’re looking for a big effort from him,” trainer Joe Woodard said. “[A speed duel] is always a concern, but it is what it is, and you just hope for a good ride and a good trip.”
Rivzinthehouse has won two straight races on the front end, including an optional $25,000 claimer on the Hawthorne grass course last out in October.
“He’s doing great,” trainer Larry Rivelli said. “I think Wesley has a nice horse in there, but we will be in front. Our horse goes only one way – he has to be on the lead. [Normandy Crossing] won’t beat us to the lead. We might not win the race, but we’ll be in front.”
Race 9
KEY CONTENDERS
Inkling (Beyer: 91)
◗ Shows two recent turf workouts at Palm Meadows, including a bullet half-mile in 46.60 seconds on Nov. 30.
◗ Will be ridden by Mario Pino, who ranks third among active jockeys in career wins and got his first win at Tampa aboard the Ward-trained Chiltern Street on Dec. 2.
Normandy Crossing (Last 3 Beyers: 81-79-73)
◗ Was fast enough to contest the pace in the $180,000 Kentucky Downs Turf Dash in September before fading late in that 6 1/2-furlong race and finishing seventh. He should appreciate this shorter trip.
Rivzinthehouse (Last 3 Beyers: 86-84-60)
◗ Has been well spotted by trainer and co-owner Larry Rivelli, winning nine of 15 starts and finishing off the board only three times.
Fast Flying Rumor (Last 3 Beyers: 60-65-72)
◗ Won the $56,400 Select Stakes on the Monmouth Park grass course in June but has been well beaten in three subsequent starts.