Roman Tiger ends long drought

Roman Tiger rallied under leading rider Paco Lopez to register a 2 3/4-length victory over the even-money favorite Bim Bam in the $100,000 Island Whirl Thoroughbred Charities, the co-feature on Saturday's closing-day program at Gulfstream Park.

Roman Tiger, a 5-year-old son of Tiger Ridge, was Grade 3 stakes-placed as a 2-year-old but had not won since taking his maiden as a 3-year-old in July 2008. Roman Tiger ($8.60) covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:40.76 over a firm course.

Bim Bam, making his first start against older horses, attempted to rally with Roman Tiger exiting the final turn but proved no match while losing for the second time since upsetting Kentucky Derby candidate Interactif in the Hallandale Beach last winter.

Roman Tiger is owned and trained by Dennis Manning.

* Speak Easy Gal ($3.60) outlasted her uncoupled stablemate Omega Cat to register a nose victory in the $100,000 Capital Request Florida Charities Stakes. Granted Tiger finished third.

Speak Easy Gal and Omega Cat are both trained by Marty Wolfson.

Speak Easy Gal, who captured the Grade 3 Orchid in her previous start, was registering her fourth straight victory since being bought privately and transferred to Wolfson's barn earlier this season. The 4-year-old Speak Easy Gal completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.22. She also gave jockey Elvis Trujillo his third win on the card.

* Lopez orchestrated the biggest upset on the Sunshine Bonanza program when he guided Cumana to a surprising victory in the $50,000 Coolbythepool Starter Stakes. Cumana paid $79.80 after outfinishing fellow longshot Dancing Rage and Talented Princess.

Cumana, a 4-year-old daughter of Full Mandate, gave trainer Rodolfo Garcia his first win of the meet.

* Earlier in the day, Deposit Only ($7.20) won the $50,000 Cherokee Frolic, J's Sundance Halo ($29.60) upset the $50,000 Carterista Starter, and Paizano ($6.60) took the $50,000 Shake Me Down Starter.