OLDSMAR, Fla. – In his last three starts, Springmeier has finished second to the stakes winners Mr. Baker, El Deal, and Yourdreamsormine in sprints in south Florida. Trainer John Vinson is hoping that a return to Tampa Bay Downs, where the horse won his only start, can help Springmeier kick off his 5-year-old season on a winning note in the featured sixth race on Sunday’s nine-race card. Eight horses ages 4 and up signed up for the six-furlong sprint, a no-conditions, $27,500 allowance. The race, which has an optional $100,000 claiming condition, is a prep for the $100,000 Pelican Stakes here on Feb. 18. Springmeier, to be ridden for the first time by Fernando De La Cruz, has been training sharply here in preparation for his 2017 debut, with four of his five workouts since Nov. 22 being bullets. He most recently breezed half a mile in 48.40 seconds last Sunday, the fastest of 44 works at the distance here that morning. Vinson’s runners at this meet have been well meant, scoring two wins and three third-place finishes in nine starts. He said he expects Springmeier to turn in another creditable effort Sunday. “I’m looking for him to run about the same as he’s been doing,” Vinson said. “He’s doing well, and he likes the surface here. He’s always worked good here, and he’s matured. He had some injuries when he was younger that really slowed things down, but he seems to be going in the right direction now. He’s a very laid-back horse, he doesn’t waste any energy, and he gives it 100 percent.” Race 6 KEY CONTENDERS Springmeier, by Graeme Hall Last 3 Beyers: 88-89-91 ◗ His only start here came last April, when he employed his usual stalk-and-pounce running style to win a second-level allowance with an optional $40,000 claiming condition by a nose. The horse is at his best at this six-furlong distance, with three wins and as many runner-up finishes in nine starts. Futile, by Broken Vow Last 3 Beyers: 81-80-75 ◗ A homebred for the Lael Stables of Roy and Gretchen Jackson, he will be ridden for the first time by leading jockey Daniel Centeno, who has won with 15 of his 51 mounts (29 percent) for trainer Arnaud Delacour here since the start of 2016 for a profitable $2.07 return on investment. ◗ He’s won three of his four starts, most recently taking a second-level allowance that was also open to $25,000 claimers at Penn National in November. He turned in three breezes last month at the Classic Mile facility in Ocala, Fla., before two sharp workouts here this month. Tiger Blood, by Cowtown Cat Last 3 Beyers: 81-53-61 ◗ He’s 3 for 4 here, including a win in an optional $32,000 claimer last month following a three-month layoff. He’s turned in two straight bullet five-furlong workouts here, including a move in 1:00.60 on Jan. 6, signaling that another strong effort is forthcoming. Morning Fire, by Friesan Fire Last 3 Beyers: 71-75-73 ◗ A two-time stakes winner on dirt, he will try to end a five-race losing streak after most recently finishing sixth in the Turf Dash here Dec. 31, his only grass race.