Tampa Bay Downs: Our Double Play delivers as favorite in Super Stakes

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Prominent from the outset under Victor Lebron, Our Double Play dueled with Sneaking Uponyou and Action Andy into the final furlong before pulling away for a popular 3 3/4-length victory in the $65,000 Super Stakes on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs.

Trained by Philip Bauer, Our Double Play was making his first start since late December but was in sharp form as he contested a blistering pace set by 15-1 longshot Sneaking Uponyou that included a quarter-mile in 22.24 seconds and a half in 44.38, with Action Andy and One Buck Roma stalking the leaders.

Turning for home, Our Double Play challenged outside Sneaking Uponyou, who had blinkers removed after disappointing as the favorite in the Pelican Stakes here most recently, while Action Andy slipped through along the rail to join the leaders. The three passed the furlong marker as a team while completing six furlongs in a very fast 1:08.99, but in the late stages, Our Double Play asserted himself, shaking clear under brisk handling by Lebron.

The final time of 1:22.09 was just 0.06 seconds off the track record set by Good Lord in last year’s edition of the Super Stakes. Sneaking Uponyou held on for the place by a length over Action Andy, with Good Lord finishing fourth, three lengths farther back.

The win was the fifth from 14 starts for Our Double Play, who returned $4.40 as the favorite.