Sneaking Uponyou wires in Pelican Stakes

OLDSMAR, Fla. - Sneaking Uponyou took the lead right from the start, then turned back a determined bid from Conchacer through the stretch to come away with a hard-earned neck victory in the 26th running of the at Tampa Bay Downs. The win came in front of 2,356 frigid ontrack fans on an afternoon that featured cloudy skies and record-breaking low temperatures.

Under a strong ride by Daniel Centeno, Sneaking Uponyou covered the six furlongs over a "fast" but somewhat dull racing strip in a very creditable 1:11.21 to post his fourth win from 11 career starts.

Conchacer, who had vied with the winner early and then come back on again along the inside in the drive, was game in defeat. He finished three-quarters of a length to the good of War Fighter, who was part of a coupled entry with the winner, both trained by Jamie Ness. War Fighter was a neck in front of fourth-place Chief Talkeetna.

Sneaking Uponyou returned $6.60 as the entry was installed as the lukewarm favorite.

Big Truck, who was making his first start since November of 2008, finished last in a field of nine sprinters while Rockerfeller, who was also making his first start since finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Vosburgh in September of 2008, finished eighth.