Zeeva runs in her first allowance

OLDSMAR, Fla. - Zeeva, one of the few bright spots for trainer Ray Tamargo this winter, goes after her third straight win Tuesday when she tries allowance company for the first time. A field of seven older fillies and mares are slated to go to the post in the seven-furlong feature at Tampa Bay Downs.

Zeeva came off a long layoff to finish third in her first local outing and first race under Tamargo's care. She came back to easily handle a group of $8,000 maidens, romping home by more than eight lengths. Brought back against restricted $16,000 claimers three weeks later, Zeeva raced just off the early pace going seven furlongs, then drew off smartly when called upon, winning by more than six lengths.

Huber Villa-Gomez, who has been hot of late, will be back aboard Zeeva at 118 pounds in Tuesday's first-level allowance.

Kafleen, from the barn of Jamie Ness, who is in a pitched battle for leading trainer this meeting, will turn back in distance while going for her second win of the meet. Daniel Centeno will be in from Miami to ride the Tuesday program, and has the mount on Kafleen at 118.

The last time Kafleen raced, she was hard to load in the starting gate. She led to midstretch in that race before settling for second while making her first start in six weeks.

Scace and Ness neck and neck

With seven racing programs remaining in the meet, there's a serious battle for leading trainer between Lynn Scace and Ness.

Scace, who won the title here in 2003-04, has been leading the standings much of meeting and came into Saturday's program holding a three-win edge over Ness, with Gerald Bennett just a win farther back in third.

But Ness, who has been active in recent weeks at the claim box, sent out two recent purchases to win Saturday as Sir Swervalot ($7.80) took the third and Unreal General ($4.60) captured the fourth. Ness came back to win the sixth with Iwazascruffy Boy ($13), tying him with Scace, who was shut out with the three horses she sent to the post.