Tampa Bay: Delacour's maidens impressive over weekend

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Trainer Arnaud Delacour and Roy and Gretchen Jackson’s Lael Stables had a pair of impressive winners in $23,000 maiden special weight races for 3-year-olds on the firm turf course at Tampa Bay Downs over the weekend.

On Saturday, Aquaphobia rallied four wide from ninth place under Daniel Centeno to win by one length. Aquaphobia ($18.60), a son of Giant’s Causeway who was bred by the Jacksons, finished the one-mile race in 1:36.99.

On Sunday, Hitting Spree ($22) led throughout under Luis Garcia to win by 2 3/4 lengths, finishing the 1 1/16-mile race in 1:43.91. The Grand Slam filly had finished third in an off-the-turf maiden race in her career debut here last month.

◗ There is a carryover of $32,321 heading into Wednesday’s pick five, which has a 50-cent minimum and begins with race 5.