Parimutuels

Trainer has two shots to get first stakes win

By DON JENSEN
Published January 7, 2006

OLDSMAR - Will it be ladies' day at Tampa Bay Downs?

Trainer Lynne Scace wouldn't mind. Two of her horses, Platinum Perfect and Think Fast, will be among 12 in today's 25th Minaret Stakes, a 6-furlong test for fillies and mares.

"Winning a stakes would be fantastic," Scace said. "But any time you win any race, it's nice."

A victory in the Minaret would be special to Scace, Tampa Bay Downs' leading trainer in 2003-04 and runnerup to Don Rice last season, has never won a stakes race during her 10 years at the Oldsmar track.

Platinum Perfect, a lightly raced 5-year-old bay mare by Jules and Pleasant Wendi, might give Scace her best shot. The Florida bred has won her past two races in gate-to-wire fashion and has six victories in 14 starts.

Owned by C. Robert Valeri, Platinum Perfect won the $50,000 Witches' Brew in her last start, Oct.29 at Meadowlands. That followed a $48,000 allowance optional claiming win Oct.10 at Delaware Park.

Tampa Bay Downs' leading rider, Jose Lezcano, is seeking his third consecutive win aboard Platinum Perfect but will start from the No.12 post.

This will be Platinum Perfect's first start on the main track. The speedster made her Tampa debut on the turf last year, finishing seventh to Whenthedoveflies in the $75,000 Lightning City Stakes.

"We've run her at different tracks, and she always gives an honest effort," Scace said.

Think Fast prefers to come from off the pace. This will be her first start since Oct.31.

Travelator, the morning-line 3-1 favorite trained by Kathleen O'Connell, tops the field in earnings with $646,322. Myra Mora, the lone female trainer to win a Tampa stakes race in 2004-05, starts Miss Maronie.

The field in post position order: Louve Sauvage, Glittering Tax, Sanfran, Beautiful Bets, Think Fast, Darn That Girl, Sorbet, Emerald Earrings, Travelator, Miss Maronie, Running Bobcats and Platinum Perfect.

The $60,000 Minaret is Race 10 with post time at about 4:25 p.m.

MORE HORSES: Jockey Jesus Castanon returned to the area Sunday after capturing the Turfway Park (Ky.) holiday meet title. He earned his first win at the current meet Tuesday on Melody of Colors. ... Joseph Rocco was the track's rider of the month. ... Two tickets to today's Bucs-Redskins playoff game will be given away this afternoon in a track drawing. ... A weekly 30-minute show reviewing the facility's action begins at 11:35 tonight on Ch.10. ... A classic car show will be held at the track's picnic pavilion area at noon Sunday.

DOGS: A change in scenery has benefitted Ryan Farms Kennel's Change For A One, a 34-month-old red brindle male by Wigwam Wag and Come Home Harry. The Wheeling Downs (W.Va.) invader has won five consecutive starts and eight of his past nine. Tonight, he goes for his first stakes victory in the 44th All-Star Kennel Preview.

Change For A One had the fastest qualifying time Wednesday in two Kennel Preview qualifying races. A 34-month-old red brindle male by Wigwam Wag and Come Home Harry, has been on a roll since leaving Wheeling Downs, where he won seven of his first 38 races. In 14 starts at Derby Lane, Change For A One has nine victories. The John Simon trainee, the 6-5 favorite, ran 550 yards in 30.51 seconds, defeating Tulin Rabble. In the other semifinal, 13-1 long shot Express D Livery of Bahama Mama Greyhounds upset Shameless Dream in 31.08 seconds. The top four in each event advanced to the final, which will be Race 8 with post time at about 9:30 p.m.

The field in post position order: Sas Mason Jar, Kb's Wildwest, Shameless Dream, Tulin Rabble, Trent Lee, Express D Livery, Roar Katie Mac and Change For A One.

[Last modified January 7, 2006, 01:15:51]