Parimutuels

Bluegrass Cat sets Downs stakes mark

Triple Crown nominee wins the Sam F. Davis Stakes by a length in 1 minute, 44.17 seconds.

By DON JENSEN
Published February 19, 2006

OLDSMAR - Bluegrass Cat moved to the top of one list. Soon, he may be No. 1 on another.

The Kentucky-bred continued his march toward a possible Kentucky Derby run, capturing the $125,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes Saturday afternoon at Tampa Bay Downs.

Ridden by John Velazquez, the 3-5 favorite won for the fourth consecutive time in his 3-year-old debut. His margin of victory (1 length over 63-1 shot Deputy Glitters) wasn't as big as his performance. Bluegrass Cat set a stakes record with a time of 1 minute, 44.17 seconds for 1 1/16 miles on the main track.

"We got him back off the pace a little bit," trainer Todd Pletcher said. "We wanted to teach him a little something and make sure he liked the track. We'll probably come back for the Tampa Bay Derby (March 18).

"You'd have to put him at the top of our list. Maybe he's at the top of everybody's list; I'm not sure about that. He's certainly a very accomplished horse, and we hope to keep building on this."

The WinStar Farm bred and owned horse is one of 38 Triple Crown nominees for Pletcher.

Bluegrass Cat raced comfortably in third behind Laptop Computer and Deputy Glitters for the first 6 furlongs before Velazquez asked the Storm Cat bay colt for more. He responded by taking the lead for good entering the final turn. Bluegrass Cat paid $3.40 to win. The $60,000 paycheck raised his career earnings to $273,780 in five starts.

Elliott Walden, WinStar vice president in charge of racing and bloodstock services and Bluegrass Cat's former trainer, was delighted at the result.

"He is a special horse and Todd's done a great job," Walden said. "It's always special to be where we are this time of year going into the Classics. To get this one out of the way is very special."

R Loyal Man, a two-time Tampa Bay Downs stakes winner, finished third.

Trainer Bill Mott and rider Cornelio Velasquez teamed to win the two other stakes races.

Live Oak Plantation's My Lordship rallied for a 1-length victory in the $125,000 Endeavour Breeders' Cup Stakes over Laurafina and Amorama.

In the $60,000 Suncoast Stakes, Kinsman Stable's Crystal Current prevailed by 4 lengths over Saffronista. Taylor Madison was third.

It was a record-setting day as 6,544 fans attended Tampa Bay Downs' 80th anniversary on Festival Preview Day. Total all-source handle surpassed $7-million for the first time in track history with $7,430,768 wagered on the 12-race card.

AQUEDUCT: Like Now took charge early and rolled to a 23/4-length victory in the $69,095 Fred Caposella Stakes for 3-year-olds in New York. Like Now quickly bounded to the front and never was threatened in the field of five under confident handling by Fernando Jara. The winning time was 1:11.80 for 6 furlongs. The victory was the second straight at Aqueduct for the gelding who is nominated to the Triple Crown. "Like Now has matured an awful lot," said Art Magnuson, the assistant to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. "He's turned into a very nice horse." Like Now paid $7.70, $3.90 and $2.30. Sunshine Alpine rallied for second and returned $3.20 and $2.10. Strummer was third and paid $2.40.

SANTA ANITA: Surf Cat rallied on the far outside to beat Major Success by 21/4 lengths in the $150,000 San Carlos Handicap in Arcadia, Calif. Surf Cat finished the 7 furlongs in 1:22.09. He was the 17-10 favorite even though the 4-year-old hadn't raced in five months. Jockey Alex Solis was aboard. He won all four of his races Saturday.

Information from other news organizations was used in the report.

[Last modified February 19, 2006, 01:09:21]