Speed Not Holding at Two Turns at Tampa Bay

For handicapping the 1 1/16 mile Tampa Bay Derby (Grade 2), let's note that speed did not hold today in two early dirt races at  that distance.

In the $100,000 Challenger, Adirondack King (11-1) stalked the pace and took the lead in deep stretch--then held off Neck 'n Neck to win by a half-length. Outlash, the early leader and 3-2 favorite, faded to finish fifth in the seven-horse field.

Javier Castellano rode Adirondack King for trainer John Servis.  The winning time was 1:44.15 on the track listed as fast.

Bold Start set the track record of 1:42.83 in winning the Challenger in 2010.

Street Sense set the Tampa Bay Derby record of 1:43.11 in 2007. We'll have more on that historic race later this afternoon.

In the first race Springscourt (5-2) rallied from fifth after  a half mile and beat Kids Rule by 6 1/4 lengths. 

Pendulum,  the leader after six furlongs, finished fourth in the seven-horse field.  The winning time of 1:45.59 was decent for $6,250 claimers at 1 1/16 miles.

Fernando De La Cruz rode for trainer Sandino Hernandez.
--Jim Freer