Thank U Philippe impresses in Florida Cup
OLDSMAR, Fla. - Thank U Philippe closed fast outside to get up in the final strides and win the Sophomore Sprint at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday. The race was one of six $85,000 stakes for Florida-breds on Florida Cup Day.
Thank U Philippe defeated My Charming Clyde by a neck in the seven-furlong race. Good Lord finished another half-length back in thrid Thank U Philippe paid $3.80 and set a stakes record time of 1:22.37.
The stewards conducted an inquiry on the start of the race that involved Thank U Philippe, but made no change in the order of finish.
In other Florida Cup Day stakes:
* Close Out ($6.60) split rivals into the stretch of the Turf Distaff and had just enough left late to turn back Scolara by a neck. Many Kisses finished third, 2 1/4 lengths farther back. Close Out, trained by Tom Proctor, covered the 1 1/16 miles over a firm course in 1:41.91 for her sixth career win.
* In the Sprint, Tommy's Memory ($7.20) moved to the front into the stretch under David Amiss and went on to post a 1 1/2-length victory over Blind River Fox. Tommy's Memory, who paid $7.20, won his fourth race from five career outings and covered the six furlongs in stakes-record time of 1:09.56.
* Dances With Ashley ($7.60) bid outside turning for home and went to to notch a four-length win in the Sophomore Fillies going seven furlongs. Ridden by Elvis Trujillo, Dances With Ashley covered the distance in 1:23.17. Favored Island Time was trapped on the rail to the stretch then rallied down the middle of the track to gain the place by a head over Joanie's Catch.
* Thunder Brew drove to the lead in the stretch of the Sophomore Turf, then had enough left to turn back the late rally of Gator Tiger and come away with a three-quarter-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds. Saint Jude was another half-length back in third. Thunder Brew covered the distance in 1:42.39. He paid $19.
* In the Turf Classic, Pico ($9.60) roared past the leaders along the outside for a 3 1/4-length win over Allie's Event and Vanquisher in a roughly run race. Pico, trained by Chad Brown, covered the nine furlongs in 1:47.00