Tampa Bay: Fast Flying Rumor eyes Pelican

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Fast Flying Rumor is targeting the $100,000 Pelican Stakes on Feb. 20 at Tampa Bay Downs after dominating an optional $50,000 claimer on the main track here last Friday for his third consecutive win. The Pelican is a six-furlong sprint for 4-year-olds and up on the main track.

Fast Flying Rumor, a 4-year-old West Acre gelding trained and co-owned by Gerald Bennett, has earned his biggest wins on turf, taking the Select Stakes last June at Monmouth Park and the Turf Dash here in January. He also won an optional $100,000 claimer on turf here in December. But he has run well on dirt, with three wins and three runner-up finishes in eight tries.

On Friday, Fast Flying Rumor ($6.80) scored by 5 1/4 lengths under Ronnie Allen Jr., finishing the six-furlong race in 1:09.83.

Bennett said he hopes to run Fast Flying Rumor in the Pelican but is concerned about running the horse on short rest.

“It’s a little quick back, so if he doesn’t show me good life, then I may have to pass it up,” Bennett said.