Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
R Angel Katelyn to Florida Cup
OLDSMAR, Fla. – R Angel Katelyn, a three-time stakes winner, worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 on Sunday as she gears up for her role as the probable favorite in the $100,000 Sophomore Fillies Stakes on Florida Cup Day at Tampa Bay Downs.
R Angel Katelyn got a few weeks off after finishing third in her first route race, the $55,000 Suncoast Stakes here Feb. 11. She entered that race off three straight wins in sprint stakes: the $100,000 Juvenile Filly Sprint for Florida-breds at Gulfstream Park West, the $89,000 Sandpiper here, and the $86,000 Gasparilla here.
The 3-year-old filly by High Cotton, owned by Averill Racing, CCF Racing Stable, and K Lauren Racing, has won 4 of 6 starts, has finished no worse than third, and has earned $217,120.
R Angel Katelyn has breezed twice since the Suncoast for trainer Gerald Bennett.
“She’s doing great,” Richard Averill said. “I just gave her a few weeks off after the race. She’s a really nice horse. The greatest thing about her is her mind. She’s so relaxed, so smart, so versatile.”
The seven-furlong Sophomore Fillies is one of six $100,000 stakes for Floridabreds here on April 2, Florida Cup Day, one of the highlights of the meet. A total of 122 horses were nominated for the stakes races, which include the Sophomore Turf, for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles; the Distaff Turf, for fillies and mares ages 3 and up at 1 1/16 miles; the Turf Classic, for older horses at 1 1/8 miles; the Sprint, for older horses at six furlongs; and the Sophomore, for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs.
Among the nominees are Grade 1 winners World Approval and Victory to Victory, both for trainer Mark Casse, and Early Entry, who won the Sunshine Millions Sprint at Gulfstream Park in January and is among eight nominees for trainer Kathleen O’Connell.
Anotador seeks maiden win
Wednesday’s nine-race card lacks a true featured race, but race 6 is interesting because it does feature at least one 3-yearold colt with some promise. Anotador likely will be favored in the $22,500 maiden special weight race, which drew a field of seven 3-year-olds set to go one mile and 40 yards on the main track, after running into a couple of heavy hitters in his first three starts.
Anotador, a son of Dialed In trained by Alfredo Ronso for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, finished third in his first two starts, including a loss to the Todd Pletcher-trained Action Everyday in his career debut here in December. In his most recent start Feb. 11, Anotador finished second, beaten four lengths, to Egyptian Hero, another Pletcher trainee who has won two consecutive starts and is targeting the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes on April 15 at Keeneland.
Anotador has worked three times at Winding Oaks Farm since his most recent start, including a pair of sharp halfmiles in 48.80 seconds.
The field also includes On John, who will be making his main-track debut after finishing off the board in a pair of maiden special weight races on turf at Gulfstream Park for trainer Mike Maker, who has yet to start a horse at this meet.
Lebron to return Wednesday
Jockey Victor Lebron was resting at home Sunday, one day after going down in a scary spill when his mount, Tether to Reality, crashed into the portable rail while on the lead in a turf race here.
Lebron took off his mounts Sunday, but agent Phil Wasiluk said the jockey plans to ride his four mounts Wednesday. Tether to Reality sustained a “couple scratches” but was otherwise fine Sunday, according to trainer Joan Scott.
Lebron was able to walk off the turf course, but was taken to the hospital Saturday complaining of dizziness and back pain. Wasiluk said the jockey was not diagnosed with a concussion and appears to have only pulled a muscle in his back.
“He’s fine,” Wasiluk “He’s just a little sore.”
Wasiluk said that Lebron thought his horse was going to win before Tether to Reality drifted slightly inward in midstretch, brushed up against the rail, appeared to get scared, and then crashed into the rail. Tether to Reality, a half-brother to 2016 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Tourist, was favored at 2-1 in the firstlevel allowance route, won by Vakeesh.
Tether to Reality, a 5-year-old Harlan’s Holiday gelding, was making his turf debut and the second start of his career. He won his debut, a $20,000 maiden special weight sprint on the main track here in January, for owners Klaravich Stables and Nick de Meric.
Lebron, 32, has eight wins from 115 mounts (7 percent) at the meet. For his career, he has 1,530 wins from 10,287 mounts (15 percent). said.