Well Defined returns to the scene in Friday feature

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Well Defined will be looking for his first victory since going wire to wire in the 2019 Sam Davis when he faces five other older horses in the Friday feature at Tampa, a $25,000 allowance carded as the fifth of nine races. No Dozing and Big Dollar Bill are among the other notables in the mile and 40-yard race.

A second allowance follows an hour or so later as race 7. It’s a $22,500 first-level turf mile that drew nine 3-year-old fillies. First post is 12:40 p.m. Eastern.

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Batista out with back injury

Jockey Jose Batista will be out indefinitely after being diagnosed with a fractured vertebra along his upper spine, agent Steve Elzey said. Batista has been fitted with a neck brace for his recovery.

Batista, 22, was injured Sunday when he fell from his mount, Malio’s, shortly after the start of the sixth race, which ultimately was declared a no-contest. Association steward Dennis Lima said other jockeys were to be called in Wednesday to review the incident and determine whether penalties will be meted out.

Garcia still on track

Carlos A. Garcia is retired from training but not from the racetrack. Garcia is in his second year as director of stabling at Tampa after disbanding his public stable in 2014.

“It keeps me close to the horses,” said Garcia, who will turn 80 in June.

Garcia worked in a similar capacity when Colonial Downs reopened for racing last summer. In 44 years of training, he won 146 stakes, with Squan Song his most accomplished runner. His lone Kentucky Derby starter was Fobby Forbes, seventh in 1986.