Projected’s status key factor

Some 48 hours out, Eddie Kenneally was unsure whether he would actually send Projected across the Florida peninsula for a quickback run Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs.

“I’m probably going to put in a scratch,” Kenneally said Thursday by phone from his Palm Meadows winter base.

The featured eighth race at Tampa in Oldsmar, Fla., will lose a fair degree of intrigue if in fact Projected is withdrawn. The $20,500 starter allowance is the only one of 10 races on the Saturday card not for claimers and/or maidens, and Projected, an earner of $633,530, would lend a touch of class to the proceedings.

Purchased by Kenneally and partners at auction in November

at Keeneland, Projected broke a 15-race losing streak that dated to September 2017, when he dominated a $16,000 claiming race Sunday at Tampa. Wheeling back in a mere six days was the intention when Kenneally entered Wednesday, but the trainer was having second thoughts the next morning.

“I’ll probably save him for another race,” Kenneally said. “We’ll be shipping back to Kentucky next week,” with his stable split between Churchill Downs and Keeneland.

If Projected stays east, the nominal Tampa feature could go any number of ways. Nine other older horses are entered in the 1 3/8-mile turf race, with Fast Fire and Bourbon Extension ranking among the top contenders when exiting the same race.

Fast Fire was the winner and Bourbon Extension a close fourth under starter conditions going 1 3/8 miles on March 28. Both stand to benefit from what appears to be an ample amount of pace signed on in opposition here, since On a Spree, Americandy, Exchequer, and a fresh Do With Pride all figure to fire out early.

First post Saturday is 12:30 p.m. Eastern, with the local forecast calling for mostly sunny skies and a high of 84.

Tampa continues to operate with a no-spectator policy. Only essential participants are permitted entrance when subject to stringent health restrictions.

After Saturday, the track goes dark until a new three-day week starts Wednesday. The extended meet runs through May 30.

Solid meet for Stidham

Mike Stidham strengthened his hold on second place in the local trainer standings when Clear as Day ($15.20) prevailed in a three-way photo in the Wednesday co-feature, a $20,000 allowance on turf.

Stidham, with Ben Trask as his on-site assistant, trailed only perennial leader Gerald Bennett in wins (49-29) through Wednesday action. Stidham also ranks among the leaders in purses ($451,875), win percentage (28.4), and ROI ($2.41).

Hopeful Growth ($3.20) won the other Wednesday co-feature, a $20,000 allowance at seven furlongs. The 3-yearold Tapiture filly earned an 80 Beyer Speed Figure in winning for the second time in three career starts.