The Florida-bred and Kentucky Derby hopeful takes the Grade III Tampa Bay Derby by a neck.
By DON JENSEN
Published March 15, 2004
OLDSMAR - There was nothing sour about Limehouse's performance in the 24th running of the $250,000 Grade III Tampa Bay Derby.
A come-from-behind win. An excellent time. A huge payday.
Limehouse stayed among the Kentucky Derby hopefuls, winning by a neck over Mustanfar at Tampa Bay Downs on Sunday. The 3-year-old Florida-bred likely is headed for the April 10 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.
"(Blue Grass) would seem to be an awfully logical spot considering he broke his maiden at Keeneland and he ran a bang-up race in the Breeders' Cup Futurity there," trainer Todd Pletcher said.
Ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day, Limehouse broke cleanly from the gate, saved ground along the rail and swung into the middle of the track for his stretch run. The even-money favorite finished the 1 1/16-mile race in 1 minute, 43.9 seconds. The stakes record is 1:43.3 set by Equality in 2002.
"I loved the time," said Cot Campbell, president of Dogwood Stable. "It looks like he certainly got this trip today, and we hope he can get another sixteenth (of a mile) and another eighth after that."
Limehouse won $150,000 and raised his career earnings to $500,435. The chestnut colt by Grand Slam and Dixieland Blues has four stakes victories and five wins in eight starts. It was his first victory at this distance.
Despite being as far back as fifth in the eight-horse field, Day said Limehouse never was in trouble.
"He broke well and was comfortable all the way," Day said.
Very Formal M.D. and Swingforthefences set the pace until the stretch. Then Limehouse and Mustanfar battled it out over the final 40 yards.
Limehouse returned $3.80, $2.60 and $2.20. Mustanfar paid $4.20 and $2.40. Swingforthefences was third and returned $2.40.
A national TV audience saw Day win his second Tampa Bay Derby. He won in 1998 aboard Parade Ground.
"Tampa's been very good to me," Day said. "Over the years, we've had a lot of fun up here, and it's always nice to renew some old acquaintances and have a shot at winning some races like this."
Campbell holds Limehouse in high regard.
"I've been involved in the horse business for 35 years and he's one of the best I've had," Campbell said.
"He's out of a speed family on the maternal side, and you would think that his professionalism would overcome any sprinting inclinations he would have. I think most of the press felt he had no shot at getting to the (Kentucky) Derby because he couldn't get a trip. They may be right, but he got the trip today."
Campbell is looking for his first Kentucky Derby winner. He has taken six to the Derby with one second-place finish (Summer Squall in 1990).
Campbell, one of five members of Dogwood Stable, purchased Limehouse as a yearling at Saratoga for $140,000.
"He hasn't made any mistakes so far," Campbell said. "We're just taking things one step at a time."
