Tampa: Above the Wind repeats

Above the Wind proved his win in the 2004 Pelican Stakes was no fluke by posting a repeat victory. He rushed to the lead early and made every pole a winning one to take the 2005 version of the $60,000 .

With regular rider Federico Mata aboard, Above the Wind whizzed through an opening quarter in 22.33 seconds and a half in 45.23. He settled into the stretch with more than a two-length lead and won by 2 3/4 lengths while covering the six furlongs in 1:10.04.

Longshot Ranger Chance rallied along the far outside to gain the place at 45-1, with Sing Me Back Home a half-length farther back in third. Long Term Success finished fourth.

The win was the 18th for Above the Wind, who is trained by Ronnie Allen Sr., and his sixth victory from 11 career starts at Tampa. The $27,000 winner's share of the Pelican ran his career earnings to $368,422.