Running Bee's win in Tampa Bay Downs Stakes caps good day for Brown, Prat

Running Bee completed a sweep of the Saturday stakes at Tampa Bay Downs for trainer Chad Brown and jockey Flavien Prat when he set a course record in winning the Grade 3, $175,000 Tampa Bay Downs Stakes.

Earlier on the card, the two teamed with Saffron Moon to win the Grade 3, $175,000 Endeavour.

Running Bee ($4) covered the 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:38.83, which was announced as a course record. The previous mark of 1:39.25 was set by Emmanuel in the 2023 running of the Tampa Bay. Running Bee won by three-quarters of a length over Northern Invader. It was another nose back in third to Irish Aces.

Running Bee settled along the rail as Northern Invader set fractions of 22.67 for the opening quarter, 45.78 for the half-mile and 1:09.27 for six furlongs. The eventual winner was moved off the fence in the stretch and rallied past his foes to take over in the closing strides.

Running Bee is a son of English Channel who races for Calumet Farm. He was winning the fourth stakes race of his career, and overall is 8 for 16 for earnings of $757,443.

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