World of Trouble romps in Marion County Stakes

World of Trouble wasted little time in asserting his superiority when romping to a 13 3/4-length victory Saturday in the $125,000 Marion County at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar, Fla.

Making his first start since getting a 118 Beyer Speed Figure in a runner-up finish in the Nov. 3 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, World of Trouble returned $2.40 as a heavy favorite after finishing seven furlongs in a swift 1:22.50 under Antonio Gallardo. The Marion County, like all 10 Saturday races, was contested over a sloppy track.

While World of Trouble dominated from the opening steps, Noble Drama was up late for second in a field of eight Florida-bred 3-year-olds, with Weisser third and Majestic Secret fourth.

World of Trouble, based this winter at the Palm Meadows training center for the partnership of Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, and Bethlehem Stables with trainer Jason Servis, ends his 2018 campaign with four wins and $524,000 in earnings from seven starts. His first race of the year, the Jan. 20 Pasco at Tampa, also resulted in a 13 3/4-length romp.

Servis said the Kantharos colt likely will make his next start in the $150,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint on the Jan. 26 Pegasus World Cup undercard.

“We were just hoping to get an easy race for him after such a big effort in the Breeders’ Cup,” said Servis.

World of Trouble was easily the most accomplished runner on Cotillion Festival Day, the biggest day so far at the 2018-19 Tampa meet. In the other Cotillion Festival stakes:

► Silver Bay ($20.20) finished fastest of all to prevail in a three-way photo in the $125,000 City of Ocala, the filly counterpart to the Marion County.

Ridden by Samy Camacho, the leading jockey at the current Tampa meet, Silver Bay finished seven furlongs in 1:25.74. Broadway Run was a neck behind the winner and another neck before Catoria in a field of seven.

Silver Bay, a 3-year-old gray by Currency Swap, now has won 3 of 7 starts for owner Richlyn Farms and trainer William Hickey.

► Gladiator King ($18) took the lead on the backstretch and turned back favored Mercusio leaving the furlong pole in posting a three-length upset in the $62,500 Inaugural under Daniel Centeno. Regally Irish was another 2 1/4 lengths behind Mercusio in a field of eight 2-year-old colts and geldings.

Gladiator King, bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, gave owner-trainer Jaime Mejia the third stakes win of his training career. The Curlin colt finished six furlongs in 1:11.49 with his third win from six starts.

► Fashion Faux Pas ($5.80) broke on top and proved uncatchable in a flashy triumph under Centeno in the $57,500 Sandpiper for 2-year-old fillies.

Ridden by Centeno for Denlea Park Ltd. and Kent Spellman and trainer Arnaud Delacour, Fashion Faux Pax, by Flatter, finished six furlongs in 1:11.65 when exiting a similarly easy maiden win at Laurel Park. Peruvian Appeal was second and favored Lovesick was third in a field of 10.