Stakes records fall in Gasparilla, Pasco
Stakes records were set Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs by runaway winners in both seven-furlong races for 3-year-olds, the Gasparilla and Pasco, highlights of the annual Skyway Festival at the Oldsmar, Fla., track.
Molto Bella, on the pace throughout under Luca Panici, drew off late to crush nine other fillies in the $50,000 Gasparilla, finishing in 1:22.20 over a fast track. Into Trouble was second, 6 1/2 lengths behind the winner, with Another Time another half-length back in third.
Trained by Ian Wilkes for a five-way partnership, Molto Bella returned $16.80 as fifth choice. Luca Panici was aboard a Kentucky-bred filly who had finished second in the Rags to Riches at Churchill Downs in October prior to running a distant fourth in her first try against graded company in the Grade 2 Demoiselle on Dec. 1 at Aqueduct.
Molto Bella, by Violence, was shipping across the Florida peninsula from Wilkes’ winter base at the Palm Meadows training center for her first start as a 3-year-old.
“I do want to stretch her out again,” Wilkes said by phone from Fair Grounds, where he was saddling several horses for Saturday races.
“I might bring her here” for the Feb. 16 Rachel Alexandra, “or probably go back to Tampa for the Suncoast” on Feb. 9. Both are Kentucky Oaks points races.
“We’ll have time to decide,” Wilkes said. “She was training so good into this race that I just felt like we needed to get started back with her.”
Into Trouble, winner of the Arlington-Washington Lassie in September, gave a creditable effort for trainer Ben Colebrook in her first start since finishing a far-back ninth in the Grade 1 Alcibiades in October.
Twixt and Shout was an early scratch, leaving a field of 10.
Win Win Win does just that
Mike Trombetta might have even more options with Win Win Win than he originally thought after the 3-year-old Hat Trick colt lowered the Pasco record by finishing in 1:20.89.
Ridden by Julien Pimentel, Win Win Win ($5.20) swept to the front after turning for home and sped away to defeat Overdeliver by 7 1/4 lengths for his third victory from four career starts. His lone defeat came last month when away poorly in the Heft Stakes at Laurel Park.
Trombetta, who trains Win Win Win for the Live Oak Stud of owner-breeder Charlotte Weber, said before the Pasco that he believes Win Win Win is a terrific sprinter, but might also be effective at a longer distance and/or over turf. “He’s really shown me a lot,” Trombetta said.
The Grade 3 Sam F. Davis, a Kentucky Derby points race, is a possibility for a next start. The 1 1/16-mile Davis will be run Feb. 9 at Tampa.
As a Florida-bred eligible for additional bonuses, Win Win Win earned $76,000 from a total purse of $95,000.
The Pasco was reduced to five starters when Jackson and Zenden were early scratches.
Tapa Tapa Tapa easily in ‘Lass’
Earlier in the day, Tapa Tapa Tapa returned to top form at her favorite track when posting a five-length victory over Pure Lemon in the $50,000 Wayward Lass. Given a very confident ride by Antonio Gallardo, the 5-year-old gray returned $2.80 as a heavy favorite in a field of just five fillies and mares after finishing 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.27.
Trained by Tim Hamm for Beau Ravine LLC, Tapa Tapa Tapa now has won five of 14 starts, including a 3-for-4 mark on the Tampa main track.
