Sacco looks to finish strong before heading north
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Before he gets ready to relocate to New York for the summer, trainer Gregg Sacco still has a few horses left to run at Tampa Bay Downs.
In Wednesday’s featured first-level allowance/optional $16,000 claiming sprint at six furlongs, Sacco sends out Kitty Hawk in his second start off a six-month layoff. Kitty Hawk, previously trained by Vickie Oliver, finished fourth as the favorite in this condition on March 29, his first start since last September.
“He might have been a couple of works short. It was seven-eighths and he chased a hot pace,” Sacco said. “He had his legs underneath him at the wire. I was happy with that and he came out of the race super. He had a good work the other day with a strong gallop-out. He should be ready to go Wednesday.”
Samy Camacho, the second-leading rider at the meet, has the call on Kitty Hawk from post 2.
Cruising Derek has run well in his last two starts for trainer John Mazza. On Jan. 29, in a $25,000 claiming race for horses who had not won two races, Cruising Derek finished second, beaten a head by Guaio. However, Guaio was disqualified for interference, and Cruising Derek, who was bumped off stride while rallying widest of all when Guaio came out and started a chain reaction, was elevated to first. Guaio was beaten a half-length Sunday in a $25,000 claiming race.
On March 29, in this same condition, Cruising Derek finished second to the runaway winner Divine Leader. Melissa Iorio rides Cruising Derek from the rail.
For those looking for a fresh face, Mi Dinero fits that bill. The 4-year-old gelding by Mitole has not been out since last May, when he was fourth in a first-level allowance on turf at Gulfstream Park. Mi Dinero has yet to race on dirt, with his lone win coming on the Colonial Downs turf course in the summer of 2023, when he debuted at the $40,000 maiden-claiming level.
Song Runner, Big Louie, and Cantaro complete the field.
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