Tampa: Reigning Livia after fourth win of meet

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Reigning Livia will shoot for her fourth win over the Tampa Bay Downs strip this season when she tops a field of six optional-claming sprinters in the 6 1/2-furlong headliner.

Ronnie Allen Jr will handle Reigning Livia as she makes her first start for Gerald Bennett after being claimed for $16,000 from Midwest Thoroughbreds Inc. and trainer Jamie Ness from a second-place finish in her last outing. Reigning Livia is entered under the first-level allowance option of Saturday’s race.

Reigning Livia had been claimed by Ness from a winning effort for $16,000 in late January. Reigning Livia came back in a conditoned claimer for $16,000 to win her first start for Ness, then was unplaced in an experiment around two turns on the turf against allowance rivals. The five year old Reigning Livia made a successful return to the main track and sprint distances as she pulled away from a field of $12,500 claiming distaffers to win by more than four lengths.

Rare Bit, who last saw action when seventh in the Wayward Lass Stakes six weeks ago, has been racing against allowance and stakes company since last fall at Calder. While she has a single win from 15 career outings, she will be dropping back to a sprint and has been training forwardly for tainer Robert Posada.

Sardegna’s Bold left the winless ranks in impressive fashion two races back going seven furlongs over the main track, pulling away in the stretch for an eight-length tally while ridden out against high-priced claiming runners. An early pace factor before fading to last going two turns on the turf with allowance company, Sardegna’s Bold appears to be back to a more comfortable distance for this crucial second start against winning rivals and can’t be taken lightly.

Sing It Again will be making her first start for the powerful Ness stable on Saturday and comes into this race off a two-length win going a mile and 40 yards against $12,500 claiming routers. A consistent sort who has been no worse than third in her last nine starts, Sing It Again deserves consideration with Angel Serpa aboard.

Who Loves Ya Baby comes into this one off a late-closing victory with $12,500 claiming distaffers. Seven of her 10 lifetime wins have come at Tampa Bay Downs.