Tampa Bay Downs: Ancil breaks course record winning Turf Dash

OLDSMAR, Fla. - Ancil vied for the lead from the outset and then after shaking clear into the stretch, had enough left to hold back the late challenges of Pyrite Green and Tell All You Know to break a course record in the $100,000 Turf Dash on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs.

The final time of 54.88 seconds set a course record for five furlongs on turf, eclipsing the old mark of 54.92 set by Jr’s Exchange on Jan. 26, 2012.

Under a strong ride by Daniel Centeno, who was posting his third win on the program, Ancil ($11.20) was sharp from the beginning from his rail post while making his first start since October and disputed a blistering pace with favored Spring to the Sky, Hold On Smokey, and Stormy Rush. The quarter went in 21.13 and as they turned into the stretch Ancil shook clear and hit the furlong marker in 43.46 with a daylight lead as Tell All You Know, who had been waiting behind the pacesetters into the stretch, swung to the middle of the course and made a bid while Pyrite Green was closing along the outside late.

But Centeno went to work on the Joan Scott-trained Ancil and the 5-year-old gelding responded gamely to hold a safe margin late, hitting the wire 1 1/4 lengths in front. Pyrite Green outfinished Tell All You Know by a neck for second.

The win was then fifth from 19 outings for Ancil and the $60,000 winner’s share upped his career earnings to $237,059.