OLDSMAR, Fla. (January 10, 2009) Blind River Fox soared to victory in today’s $65,000 Pelican Stakes, completing the six furlongs over the main track in 1:10.09. Blind River Fox is a seven-year-old son of Foxtail who was bred in Florida by Adena Springs, is owned by Winning Stables, Inc., trained by Gerald Bennett and was ridden to victory by Willie Martinez.

Blind River Fox raced just off of the early lead, and challenged Ruby’s Red Socks mid- stretch to pull ahead by a neck at the wire. Ruby’s Red Socks was second and Dukes Flying Tiger was third to complete a trifecta that paid $1,380.00 for a $2 wager.

Blind River Fox secured his 22nd lifetime win in the Pelican from 54 starts, and was claimed by trainer Gerald Bennett two starts ago for $50,000. Bennett said of his acquisition of the gelding, “Well, I knew that he was a solid runner, and last year every time I ran, I couldn’t beat him. So, I thought, ‘the only way I can ever get him is to have him in my stable!’” Bennett said that he wasn’t sure if Blind River fox would be ready for the Pelican as the horse was suffering from an ulcer. “The vet treated him, and he’s really come around, and we’re very happy to win this race. He loves Tampa, and he likes the turf and dirt here. If he comes out of this good, we’ll go on to the Super Stakes.”

“Was I surprised when he took off in the stretch? No way; this is one hard trying horse,” said winning jockey Willie Martinez. “It doesn't matter what he runs on: turf, dirt, synthetics. He just runs his race like he did today. It set up just perfect for us; we settled in behind the horses we figured would lead and waited on them while they battled. When I asked him he just went! I think his last race, the one on the grass we won here going short, set him up just right. He is just a great horse to ride!"

Finish Lines… Current leading Tampa trainer Lynne M. Scace added three more victories to her tally today; her first win came with Never Absent, a six-year-old Florida-bred son of D. J. Cat owned by Michael Buccina and booted home by Filemon Rodriguez. Scace and Rodriguez paired up again for another win with Mucho Dinero. The four-year-old Macho Again gelding was bred in Florida by Alan Amato, who co-owns Mucho Dinero with Mike Galinski. Scace returned to the Winner’s Circle with Snow Lass, a three-year-old Florida-bred Stormy Atlantic filly owned by Bridlewood farm and ridden by Rosemary Homeister, Jr.

That victory with Scace was one of three consecutive wins on the card for Homeister. After her victory aboard Snow Lass, Homeister took a trip to the Winner’s Circle for the Lambholm South Race of the Week aboard the Kirk Ziadie trainee Gold Pageantry. The six-year-old gelded son of Precise End was bred in New York by Sez Who Thoroughbreds and is owned by Snookum Farm. Homeister rounded out her hat trick aboard Carolsbeentaukin, this time for trainer Anthony Granitz and owner Lakota Stable.

Please note that there will be live racing at Tampa Bay Downs on Wednesday, January 21.