23rd edition . . .
OLDSMAR - The 23rd edition of the Florida Cup showcasing the Sunshine State's breeding and racing industry was presented at Tampa Bay Downs on Sunday and horses in different divisions competed in six competitive stakes races for a purse of $110,000 in each contest.
THE NYRA BETS SPRINT
Cliff and Michele Love's homebred Damon's Mound reached millionaire status in the NYRA Bets Sprint for five-time champion trainer Bill Mott, but the locally based Chrome Ghost made him work every step of the six furlongs to achieve the career milestone.
"He's a real warrior," said Mott via text.
"He had to fight for it today," said Junior Alvarado, his regular partner who was aboard when they were the runner-up in the Gulfstream Park Sprint in their last effort February 21. "He is a fighter, isn't he?"
The graded stakes-winning son of Girvin and San Antonio Stroll by Stroll, who was dispatched as the 3-5 favorite in the field of six horses aged four and up, battled with 5-1 choice Chrome Ghost from the outset as they set fleet fractions of 22.49, 44.86, and 56.65 before Damon's Mound crossed the wire in front by 1/2 length in the final time of 1:08.88 on the fast track.
Flood Zone, a graded stakes winner for trainer Brad Cox ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., raced behind the pacesetters and had to settle for third, another 1 1/2 lengths behind. Classic Course, Nothingsubtle, and El Principito followed to the wire. Chrome Ghost, who was piloted by the meet's leading rider Samy Camacho, and El Principito both came from the barn of legendary Tampa Bay Downs trainer Gerald Bennett, who is a nominee for the 2026 class of the Canadian Thoroughbred Hall of Fame.
Damon's Mound, a 6-year-old horse who won the Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes for Florida-breds two starts back at Gulfstream Park, was making the 20th start of his career and now sports a record of 8-3-2. The $70,000 winner's share of the purse pushed his total earnings to $1,018,405. Damon's Mound rewarded his backers with $3.20 for a $2 win wager.
THE PLEASANT ACRES STALLIONS DISTAFF TURF
Live Oak Plantation homebred Souper Zonda relished being back with state-bred company as she triumphed over seven other 3-year-olds to capture the Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies under an expert ride by Irad Ortiz, Jr. Nonetheless, she needed plenty of heart for the victory throughout the 1 1/16th miles test on the turf and gave her jockey every ounce she had to take command shortly before the wire.
"I got a great post for her style and had speed inside, so I allowed them to break but did not want to get her out of the race. The horse was keen early, and she was closing to the wire. I wanted to switch her off a little more to save energy for the end, and I knew she was going to give me a run," explained Ortiz, Jr.
Dispatched as the heavy favorite at $1.50-1, Souper Zonda battled with $22.40-1 longshot Let's Go Koko, who put up a stubborn fight under Marcos Meneses to the finish before she crossed the wire in 1/2 length on firm turf one-half length to the good. Rugelach was third, another length behind. Dreaming of Abba, Souper Willawaw, Notable Exchange, Charlie's Wish, and Miss Mary Nell followed the top three home. Calla was scratched.
"It was a very good effort, and I thought Irad gave her a great ride," said dual American and Canadian Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse. "It's always wonderful to win for (Live Oak Plantation owner) Mrs. Weber, and with a home bred."
Souper Zonda, never a factor in the Grade 3 Honey Fox at Gulfstream Park in her last versus open company, returned $5.00 for a $2 bet. Now with a record of 4-0-0 in 9 starts, the 4-year-old daughter of Curlin and the Scat Daddy mare Zonda has upped her earnings to $187,282.
THE STONEHEDGE FARM SOUTH SOPHOMORE FILLIES
Aided by a confident ride from champion rider Irad Ortiz, Tessellate made light work of the Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies while cruising to a dominating 4 3/4 lengths win over four other 3-year-old fillies in the seven furlongs test on the fast main track.
The daughter of McKinzie and the Trappe Shot mare ShotdownInFlames, who is trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr., bided her time at the back of the pack, then closed in around the far turn before taking control at the top of the lane without being asked. All Ortiz had to do was shake the reins at her and she accelerated, kicking clear to finish in the fleet time of 1:10.20. La Chimosa finished one length in front of Flowko, with Emerald Ember and Questnbled'cisions beind. Nasti Z and Unfaithful Rose were scratched.
"I waited a bit longer because there was nobody around me, then I moved by the horses in front without using too much. Then I squeezed her a little bit, and the horse took it away from there and ultimately gave me a good kick," Ortiz, Jr. said.
Tessellate, who is owned by a partnership of breeder Castle Gate Farm, Magic Cap Stable, Paul Braverman, and Timothy Pinch, et. al, won her second stakes at Tampa Bay Downs during the current meet after capturing the open company Gasparilla in similar fashion on January 10. She upped her record to 7 4-1-1 and increased her earnings to $232,510.
Joseph, Jr. said, "That was a big effort from her. I thought she ran very well today, and obviously, she likes Tampa. Irad gave her a good trip. She sat in the back and then she really quickened nicely at the end. It's nice to get her another stake on her resume."
The $.30-1 favorite in the field returned $2.60 for a $2 win wager.
THE LAMBHOLM SOUTH SOPHOMORE TURF
Mr Mo's Magic, a Lynn Rarick trainee, took advantage of competing against fellow Florida-breds under regular rider Jose Ferrer by pulling off the 13-1 upset in the field of nine 3-year-olds in the Lambholm South Sophomore Turf at 7 furlongs.
Mr Mo's Magic, who finished last in the Columbia Stakes against open company at 1 mile on this course in his previous effort on March 7, made a bold move in the turn and stayed on to win comfortably while covering the distance in the final time of 1:4.20. Serac was 1 3/4 lengths behind while My Favorite Bird was another 1/2 length in third.
Ferrer described his mount as a big horse with a long stride with the need for racing room and a clear run. "He dragged me up the backside and then I let him run. The horse was comfortable in the turn and came with a decisive finish. It was game over," said the rider.
Rarik could not have been more pleased with the performance of her charge.
"I was very happy with him. The last stakes race we were in, the Columbia, the turf was a little bit soft and I don't think he like it. Not having rain helped us. We tried him on the dirt one time, but I think he likes the grass and a firmer surface. Today he did exactly what I thought he would. Every time he's won, he breaks, sits in the back, comes around, circles the field, and comes down the lane like a rocket. He sure did that today."
The Town, the even-money favorite trained by two-time Eclipse Award winner Brad Cox, was never a factor in the outcome and finished 6th. The order or finish behind the top three was Chicken Dance, Megacles, The Town, Cruisin Chuck, Move Jesse Move, and Mr. First. Mr Mo's Magic paid $28.20.
Owned by Ray Huelsman and Keith Anderson, Mr Mo's Magic is by Uncle Chuck and the Defrere mare Magical Flair and he was bred by Gerardo Bello. The roan colt's record improved to 7 3-0-0 and he upped his bankroll to $142,780
THE OCALA BREEDERS' SALES SOPHOMORES
Maykomotion, a 3-year-old son of multiple Grade 1 winner Vekoma, made light work of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Sophomores by tapping into his early speed and then never looking back as he kicked clear through the lane to win by 2 lengths in the final time of 1:22.28 for seven furlongs on the fast track.
"There was not much for me to do other than let him go and do whatever he wanted to do. The decision was to allow the horse freedom early," said John Velazquez, who got the return call on the colt from trainer George Weaver, who was also the trainer of Vekoma.
"Johnny is a Hall of Famer and he has a very good sense about horses so he didn't need any instructions from me," said Weaver. "That was a good race from this horse and it's always nice to have one by Vekoma, who gave me a lot of great memories."
The 4-5 favorite was chased home by Rockies Balboa, who was 4 3/4 lengths in front of Best Minute Yet. Hard Talk and Leftnateawalkin followed behind in the field reduced to five by the scratches of Langvad and Sweeping Shadow.
Maykomotion, who is out of Maymont by Unbridled's Song, rewarded his backers with $3.60 to win for a $2 bet and has now won two straight races in three career outings. Bred by Dominique Domico, he is owned by Bona Venture Stables and Bianco Thoroughbreds and upped his earnings to $98,300.
THE AAA FEED & TACK TURF
Under the expert handling of Hall of Famer John Velazquez Uncle's Gold dug in deep down the lane to prevail in a thrilling three-horse mad dash to the wire and take the $110,000 AAA Feed & Tack Turf for older horses by a neck. The Live Oak Plantation homebred covered the 1 1/8 miles over the firm course in the final time of 1:49.70.
Adios Cole with Junior Alvarado in the irons took second and the 6-5 favorite Tank was another neck back with Irad Ortiz, Jr. after leading until the eighth pole. Ciao Chuck, Heathguard, Scarecrow, and Win With Faith followed in order.
"He run down the stretch, and there was a brief wait, but ultimately he got it done," said Velazquez after they bested six others in the field.
Said winning trainer Mike Trombetta, "I've been looking forward to running him in this race for some time. The turf course at Gulfstream (Park) runs really fast and even though he did okay there I knew that he would do better when he got on a turf course that's a little bit more conventional and more to his liking. He's a big guy and it takes him a little bit more time to get wound up. I was glad that it went as well as it did. Johnny (Velazquez) gave him a great ride, too."
Uncle's Gold, a 4-year-old colt by Uncle Mo out of the Giant's Causeway mare Giant Crystal won his first stakes in seven career tries and his record is now 3-2-0-1 with $102,060 in earnings. He returned $5.60 for a $2 win wager.