Tampa Bay: Cloud Scapes wins stretch duel in Endeavour

OLDSMAR, Fla. - Always prominent under Eric Rodriguez, Pin Oak Stable’s Cloud Scapes battled with Wholelottashakin through a long stretch duel before getting up in the final strides for a hard-earned neck victory in the Grade 3, $150,000 Endeavour Stakes over a mile and a sixteenth on turf.

Cloud Scapes raced just off the pace of 50.07 seconds and 1:13.88, then moved with favored Final Escrow to challenge Wholelottashakin for the lead in the second turn.

Turning into the stretch, Final Escrow, who had been a bit keen in the early going, began to weaken and the race turned into a battle between Cloud Scapes and Wholelottashakin. They raced as a team through the final furlong before Cloud Scapes responded to strong handling from Rodriguez and gave her rider a final burst that carried her to victory.

Trained by Graham Motion, Cloud Scapes was posting her second straight local win and returned $10. The 5-year-old Smart Strike mare covered the distance over a firm turf course in 1:42.75. She earned $90,000 for the victory. Floral Romance finished third, 2 1/4 lengths behind Wholelottashakin.

Lightning City: Shrinking Violet up in time

Shrinking Violet rallied past Allwewantforxmas in deep stretch to capture the $100,000 Lightning City Stakes.

With Quincy Hamilton taking over for Kent Desmoreaux, who was originally named on the Wesley Ward trainee, Shrinking Violet raced off a blistering pace duel between Gift Receipt and Cor Cor in the early going of the five-furlong turf race. Gift Receipt, who had shaken clear into the stretch, appeared to bobble a bit in mid-stretch and Allwewantforxmas took over the lead, but Hamilton guided Shrinking Violet to the outside inside the final furlong and rallied late to be up in time.

Shrinking Violet covered the five furlongs in a very quick 55.54 seconds and returned $8.40.

Pelican Stakes: Palace Barista rallies wide

In the $60,000 Pelican Stakes, Palace Barista rallied down the middle of the track and outkicked a host of competitors to post his first career stakes win in just his third start.

Under a crafty ride by veteran Harry Vega, Palace Barista sat just off the torrid pace of 21.99 and 44.61 seconds set by One Buck Roma. Palace Barista ranged up outside into the stretch and rallied past the leaders leaving the furlong grounds to score by 1 1/2 lengths.

Owned and trained by Lynn Scace, Palace Barista, who had returned $125.40 when he won his debut on opening day, paid $26.60 while covering the six furlongs in a solid 1:09.94.

W.B. Smudge, who got through along the rail in challenge in the drive, outfinished several rivals for the place, with One Buck Roma third.