Tampa Bay Downs: Seven-year-old Risky Rachel pulls away in Manatee

OLDSMAR, Fla. - Taking command turning for home, heavily favored Risky Rachel drew off with a to post an impressive 3 3/4-length victory in the $50,000 Manatee Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday.

Under a confident ride by Daniel Centeno, Risky Rachel was content to sit just off the pace along the outside as Wild About Irene and Four Aria dueled through fractions of 22.88 and 45.82 seconds.

Leaving the turn Centeno and Risky Rachel ranged up outside and took the lead turning for home. From that point the issue was not in doubt as the 7-year-old mare drew off, covering six furlongs in 1:10.28 and hitting the wire in a stakes-record 1:23.48 over a wet racing strip listed as fast.

Cookie held off Ambusher by three-quarters of a length for the place. It was another 2 1/2 lengths back to Wild About Irene in fourth.

Risky Rachel, a New York-bred daughter of Limehouse, returned $2.80. She returned from a 15-month layoff to win the Minaret Stakes here on Jan. 11. Juan Coronel trains the winner, who ran her career earnings to $442,250 with the $30,000 winner’s share of the Manatee. She has now won nine of 19 career starts.