Shivaree wins Marion County, Heiressall captures City of Ocala

Shivaree and Heiressall both bounded to clear-cut victories following perfect stalking trips in a pair of $100,000 stakes for Florida-breds Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar, Fla.

Shivaree pulled a mild upset in the Marion County some two hours before Heiressall came through as the favorite with a nearly identical trip in the City of Ocala. Both seven-furlong races were held over a fast main track when contested by fields of seven as Florida Sire Stakes events sponsored by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association.

Shivaree ($13.60) wins Marion County

Shivaree finished his 2020 the way he began it, winning an ungraded sprint stakes from just off the pace. The 3-year-old colt powered past front-running Jackson when switching leads for jockey Roberto Alvarado Jr. with about 150 yards to go and snapping a seven-race losing skein.

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Shivaree returned $13.60 as third choice after finishing in 1:21.68. The son of Awesome of Course had been found wanting in a number of high-profile spots, including the Florida Derby, Blue Grass, and Travers, when going winless since capturing the Limehouse at Gulfstream Park in early January. He was coming off a fourth-place finish in his last start at Gulf West.

“He needed the last one,” said Ralph Nicks, who trains Shivaree for the Jacks or Better Farms of Fred Brei. “It looks like he has a chance to mature into a good 4-year-old.”

Jackson, like Shivaree, was shipping over from Gulfstream. Previously unbeaten in three starts at Tampa, the 4-year-old colt had no excuse under Antonio Gallardo when holding second, 2 1/4 lengths behind the winner and a half-length ahead of late-closing Noble Drama, another Gulf shipper who was sent away the 6-5 favorite.

Heiressall ($5.80) in City of Ocala

Rebounding from a subpar effort last month in the Gulfstream West slop, Heiressall overtook front-running The Goddess Lyssa en route to a 3 1/4-length score with Gallardo riding. She paid $5.80 as favorite over six other fillies and mares.

The Goddess Lyssa had put away Tiz Possible Dear approaching the quarter-pole, but Gallardo had Heiressall in full flight by then. It was no contest down the stretch, with Heiressall finishing in 1:23.35 with her seventh victory from 20 starts. Terri Pompay trains the 5-year-old Wildcat Heir mare at Gulfstream for owner-breeder My Purple Haze Stables.

Independent Miss was along late to get second by a length over The Goddess Lyssa, with Tiz Possible Dear fading to fourth as the 2-1 second choice.