Sprinters featured in pair of $100,000 stakes on Tampa Bay undercard

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Speedsters on both the main track and turf course are highlighted in the supporting races on Saturday’s card, as the $100,000 Pelican for older horses at six furlongs on the main track and the $100,000 Lightning City for older fillies and mares going five furlongs on turf round out a trifecta of added-money features on the 11-race card.

Risk Factor, who comes out of a runner-up effort in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector that earned him a 100 Beyer Speed Figure, is the likely post-time favorite in a field of 11 for the Pelican, the ninth race on the card.

Risk Factor has won 2 of 4 main-track starts over the Gulfstream and Gulfstream Park West surfaces since July and had a troubled trip in one of his losses, the Kenny Noe Jr. Stakes, in which he was fourth as the favorite.

Last time out, Risk Factor chased the leader early, challenged through the stretch, but weakened late to be second for the second straight race to Speechify.

Songa, who has won 2 of 3 starts since moving to the Jorge Navarro barn, is certainly a threat in the Pelican.

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Locals Good Lord, a former track record holder who has been training well for this first start since November, and Joe Tess, who turns back to six furlongs off a powerful front-running win in his only start at this meeting while posting one of the fastest seven-furlong clockings of the current stand, are dark-horse candidates in the Pelican.

The Lightning City is chock-full of speed types, which should set things up nicely for late closers Galiana and Madam Giry in that five-furlong sprint over the infield course.

Galiana, a winner of 11 of 20 lifetime starts, closed from well off the pace to be a fast-closing second, beaten just a half-length, in a prep for the Lightning City, while Madam Giry has nine wins on the turf lifetime, including the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint Stakes over males in July. Rain is forecast for Friday night into Saturday, and if the race is moved to the main track, Galiana’s 10 main-track wins – five of which have come on off tracks – would make her a tough competitor on dirt.

KEY CONTENDERS

PELICAN STAKES (RACE 9)

Songa (Last 3 Beyers: 95-93-81)

◗ He has blossomed since moving to the high-percentage barn of Navarro and has the stalking style that should put him just off a hot pace. He also seems to like his partnership with jockey J.J. Gonzales.

Good Lord (Last 3 Beyers: 43-98-101)

◗ He races well off layoffs like the one he’s coming off Saturday, he likes the local surface, and he has a series of strong drills over the strip for his first race since November. Bettors should certainly get value on this veteran.

Risk Factor (Last 3 Beyers: 100-82-97)

◗ He has been sharp in his last three races since moving to his new barn. He should be on or near the lead and is one of the few in the field dropping to a lower class level.

LIGHTNING CITY STAKES (RACE 10)

Tizgale (Last 3 Beyers: 84-84-71)

◗ She has some gaps in her schedule, but when able to suit up, she is dead game. She has a series of sharp works for her first race since November and should be attractive odds.

Madam Giry (Last 3 Beyers: 79-80-89)

◗ Deep closers need luck in turf sprints, especially in full fields, but this one has been fairly successful with her headlong rushes from the back. She has the rail post, and if able to slip through into the stretch, she will be very dangerous.

Galiana (Last 3 Beyers: 76-80-75)

◗ She also is at her best rallying late. Tough and versatile, Galiana probably should have won the prep for this one two races back.