Tampa Bay Downs: Bennett, Ness finish tied atop trainer standings

OLDSMAR, Fla. - Trainer Gerald Bennett sent out two winners on Sunday’s closing-day program to tie Jamie Ness for the training title for the 2010-11 racing season at Tampa Bay Downs.

Bennett, who trailed Ness by as many as 15 wins earlier in the meeting, finished strong in the final weeks when he sent out 11 winners from his last 25 starters to deadlock for the title with 61 wins.

For Ness, it was the fifth straight season in which he has either won or tied for the top spot among trainers. A year ago, he tied Kathleen O'Connell with 51 wins.

Ronnie Allen Jr. won the riding title with 109 wins. Daniel Centeno, who was injured on March 11, finished second with 79 wins with Leando Goncalves third with 66.