Veteran in no need of breather
OLDSMAR, Fla. - Blind River Fox has hung it on the line in both of his races this season, winning by a head in a rapidly run turf dash, then coming back with a deep-stretch surge that carried him to neck upset in the Pelican Stakes on the main track. So one would think the 7-year-old might be a bit fatigued and looking for a break.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Blind River Fox has come back to train in sparkling fashion since his last race and will suit up again on Saturday as one of the favorites in the $75,000 Super Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
"He bounced right back after the Pelican and was kicking and bucking not long after that race," said his trainer, Gerald Bennett. "We certainly would have given him time if he had indicated he needed it, but he went right back to the track like a new horse."
Blind River Fox, who has won 22 races, worked a bullet five furlongs in 1:02.80 here on Jan. 28, and more recently blew out in 36.60.
"I'm glad he's coming up to this race in good order, because I've always thought that seven furlongs might be his best distance," Bennett said. "We raced him at Presque Isle this summer, and they don't run seven furlongs. He's sharp and happy and that's all you can ask from a horse."
Claimed by Bennett for $50,000 last September, Blind River Fox made his first local start in a Dec. 26 allowance race, running down Castles in the Sky for the victory in 57.93 seconds for about five furlongs on the turf. Castles in the Sky came back to romp in a turf sprint. Blind River Fox came back in the Pelican, rallying for an upset win at 11-1.
He's So Chic had a troubled trip when he ran fourth in his 2009 debut, the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector Stakes at Gulfstream. Last season the Jason Servis-trained He's So Chic won 2 of 7 starts and was second to Fabulous Strike in the Fall Highweight Handicap at Aqueduct. He also finished second here to Lookinforthesecret in last season's Pelican Stakes.
Island Warrior, from the strong Cody Autrey barn, is an intriguing entrant. Claimed for $80,000 last April, Island Warrior has made only one start since May, using his speed to take an optional claiming sprint at the Fair Grounds in late December.