Tether to Reality returns from rail collision

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Tether to Reality gave fans at Tampa Bay Downs quite a scare – and burned quite a bit of their money – when he veered into the portable rail while leading in the stretch of his turf debut March 18. He can make amends in the featured sixth race here Saturday, a first-level, $22,500 allowance going one mile on the grass.

Tether to Reality was making just the second start of his career last month but was favored at 2-1 after winning his career debut here in January, taking a maiden special weight sprint on dirt by 3 1/4 lengths. Bettors assumed the son of Harlan’s Holiday would take to the turf since he’s a half-brother to 2016 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Tourist, and they appeared to be right, as Tether to Reality was in front with a sixteenth of a mile left before hitting the rail hard and sending jockey Victor Lebron to the ground.

Jockey agent Phil Wasiluk said after the race that Lebron thought Tether to Reality would have won the race had he not hit the rail. The horse has breezed once since the mishap, a half-mile in 50.20 seconds on March 30. Lebron retains the mount from post 2 for trainer Joan Scott and owners Klaravich Stables and Nick de Meric. The race drew a field of eight older horses.

“Hate to say a word and jinx anything, but he’s doing great – virtually unscathed out of [the] last race,” Scott said Thursday in a text message.

Race 6

Key Contenders

Tether to Reality, by Harlan’s Holiday
Beyers: NA-80

◗ Scott has won with six of her last 25 runners (24 percent) making their second start off a layoff of 45 to 180 days, for a gaudy $5.94 return on investment.

Red Zone, by Macho Uno
Last 3 Beyers: 78-79-65

◗ Trained by Bernell Rhone, he’s been knocking on the door, finishing fourth, second, and third in three starts on the grass at this meet, and gets leading rider Daniel Centeno for the first time.

Marksman, by Arch
Last 3 Beyers: 77-64-60

◗ Trained by Robert O’Connor, he ran well in his turf debut and his third career start last out, finishing fourth, beaten one length and only a neck behind third-place finisher Red Zone.

Rapo, by Pleasantly Perfect
Last 3 Beyers: 79-64-78

◗ This will be the seventh start of the meet for this Michael Lecesse trainee, who enters with the field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure for a win in a $16,000 claimer March 15.

Map Room, by Artie Schiller
Last 3 Beyers: 77-80-80

◗ He’s finished second or third in all three of his starts at the meet and adds blinkers for trainer Tom Proctor.