Uptowncharlybrown pulls away in Pasco

OLDSMAR, Fla. - Uptowncharlybrown pulled away through the final furlong of the $65,000 Pasco Stakes on Saturday to post an authoritative six-length victory and remain undefeated in two career starts.

Well placed outside under Daniel Centeno through a half-mile of 45.62 seconds, Uptowncharlybrown rallied outside the leaders into the stretch, shook off leader Black Diamond Cat leaving the furlong marker, and motored away under brisk handling. Uptowncharlybrown galloped out well when mildly encouraged for a sixteenth following the finish.

Trained by Alan Seewald, Uptowncharlybrown covered the seven furlongs while battling a stiff headwind down the stretch in 1:24.28. He returned $3.40 as the strong choice in a field of seven 3-year-olds. Big Looie, who led early, came back on late to gain second by a neck over Black Diamond Cat, with Silver Craft finishing fourth.

Should he come out of the Pasco in good order, Uptowncharlybrown would have to be considered one of the early favorites for the 1 1/16-mile Grade 3 Sam Davis Stakes on Feb. 13.

* In the co-featured $65,000 Gasparilla Stakes, Diva Delite prompted the pace into the stretch, rallied outside leader Datt Echo, and came away with a well-earned 1 3/4-length victory in the seven-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies.

Trained by Dave Vivian, Diva Delite covered the distance in 1:25.02 while posting her third straight win and fourth straight tally on dirt. Datt Echo held on well for second, a length in front of Miss Aristocrat.

The Repent filly was pilotted by Rosemary Homeister Jr. and returned $5.80 as the choice in a field of six. The $45,000 she earned for her victory raised her career earnings to $135,067.