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Don't know whether you caught the race, what with all the baskets on TV yesterday, but the Tampa Bay Derby was a helluva race and could have indicated the Ky Derby winner. Tom Albertrani, former trainer for Godolphin, seems to have a real runner in Odysseus, if Saturday's effort is any indicator.
The talented son of Malibu Moon looked like a beaten horse turning for home, re-rallied during an incredible stretch run and nosed out Schoolyard Dreams in the final jump to win a thrilling edition of the $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) (VIDEO) March 13 at Tampa Bay Downs.
A romping allowance winner last month over the same strip, Odysseus came into the 1 1/16-mile Tampa Bay Derby with a buzz and was bet down to the 2-1 second choice, with Todd Pletcher’s star Super Saver going off as the 3-2 favorite in his much-anticipated 3-year-old debut.
With Ramon Dominguez aboard, Super Saver went straight to the front and led the field around in fractions of :23.52, and :47.02 while Odysseus had a perfect stalking trip in second under Rajiv Maragh. The complexion of the race changed, however, when Schoolyard Dreams made a huge move under Jeremy Rose around the second turn. Coming from the outside, Schoolyard Dreams circled past Odysseus and in doing so, seemed to throw the lightly-raced colt off his stride.
Gleam of Hope also went by Odysseus, who was fourth when they turned for home and seemingly a beaten horse. Meanwhile, Schoolyard Dreams had struck the front and was preparing for a stretch duel with Gleam of Hope on the outside and Super Saver along the rail.
But Odysseus somehow managed to regain his best run, first rallying towards the outside while slightly bumping with Gleam of Hope, then ducking back inside while still trying to find a clear path through traffic. He was never in front of Schoolyard Dreams until the final jump when he stuck a nose in front at the wire. The final time was 1:44.131 over a fast main track.
He's very lightly raced, having broken his maiden in his initial outing before beating non winners of a race other than prior to his Tampa effort. Yesterday's field was not the top shelf of prospects, other than Super Saver, but Odysseus looks like the real goods and could be "one of the ones".
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Originally Posted by ncat12
