Tampa Bay Downs: Managed Account enters Challenger Stakes off strong effort

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Managed Account, who led every step but the last one in the $100,000 John B. Campbell at Laurel Park in his most recent start, shoots for his eighth career win as the probable favorite in a field of seven older stakes routers in Saturday’s $60,000 Challenger Stakes at 1 1/16 miles.

Fernando De La Cruz will handle Managed Account for leading trainer Jamie Ness as the 5-year-old gelding carries 118 pounds under the allowance conditions of the Challenger, the eighth race on the 11-race program.

Last time out, Managed Account was the 3-10 favorite in a field of five in the Campbell. Breaking from the rail under Alex Cintron, the Midwest Thoroughbreds runner set all the fractions, then continued gamely through a long stretch drive before succumbing in the final stride to Behemoth.

The Campbell followed a solid second-place finish to Bold Curlin in the $100,000 Native Dancer at 1 1/16 miles at Laurel in his first start since November.

Last season, Managed Account won five of 11 starts, including three in a row, and counted the restricted Governor’s Day Stakes at Delaware Park and the Governor’s Cup at Charles Town among his wins.

A versatile type, Managed Account should be on or near the lead from the start of the Challenger, and the Tampa strip has been partial to speed and close-up types most of the meeting.

There are several runners with early foot in the Challenger lineup, and should a quick pace develop early, the race could set up for a stalking type like Tulira Castle. Fourth in last year’s Grade 3 Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park and thought for a time to be a Triple Crown candidate, Tulira Castle was off from March to December, then turned in a pair of subpar efforts at Gulfstream before being given another two months off by trainer Jimmy DiVito.

Moved to Tampa Bay Downs, Tulira Castle seemed to appreciate the change of surfaces as he rallied from just off the pace for a 4 1/2-length win over optional-claiming routers in his first start with blinkers added.

Angel Serpa will handle Tulira Castle again at 116 pounds.

Lack of Judgment has posted two eye-catching wins from three starts locally this season and was fifth, beaten two lengths, after looming a threat in the Pelican Stakes in his only stakes appearance. The 4-year-old will be trying two turns for the first time for the resurgent Richard Ciardullo stable but is sharp right now and deserves a long look.

Nicklaus Way has two wins and two seconds from four starts over the Tampa main track, was second to Tulira Castle in his last, and dead-heated for second in last season’s Challenger.