TAMPA BAY: BIG EFFECT, LEON TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EARLY SPEED DUEL TO WIN FEATURE

By Mike Henry —-

BIG EFFECT, LEON TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EARLY SPEED DUEL TO WIN FEATURE

OLDSMAR, FL. – Just about everything went Big Effect’s way in today’s featured second race at Tampa Bay Downs, a $54,500, 6-furlong sprint on the main track.

After a slow start from the outside No. 5 post, jockey Sonny Leon allowed Big Effect to settle off a wicked speed duel between Zydeceaux and Hurricane J. Fractions of 21.76 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.46 for the half softened up those two, and Big Effect surged to the lead rounding the turn and closed well for a 2-length victory.

Hurricane J held on for second, 2 ¾ lengths ahead of Thealligatorhunter. Two Steppin Kluki finished fourth and Zydeceaux faded to last.

Big Effect’s time was 1:09.76. The 3-year-old Florida-bred gelding is owned by Lawson Racing Stables and trained by Rohan Crichton. The victory was Big Effect’s fifth from 14 lifetime starts. He paid $8.40 to win as the second betting choice, behind Hurricane J.

In the race to see which jockey can cut into Samy Camacho’s early lead in the standings just a little, Pablo Morales rode two winners today, giving him five through the first five days of the meet. Morales won the fifth race on the turf, the Lambholm South Race of the Week, on Betula, a 3-year-old filly owned by Glen Hill Farm and trained by Bethany Baumgardner.

Morales added the seventh race on the turf aboard Ozzy, a 2-year-old colt owned by Smart Choice Stable and trained by John P. Terranova, II.

Camacho;s lone win today, and No. 12 for the meet, also came on the turf. He won the third race on Adaay In Asia, a 5-year-old mare owned by Amaty Racing Stables and trained by Sandino R. Hernandez, Jr.

Thoroughbred racing at Tampa Bay Downs continues Wednesday with a nine-race card beginning at 12:25 p.m. Tampa Bay Downs will hew to a Wednesday-Friday-Saturday schedule before Sundays are added to the mix on Dec. 22. A special Christmas Eve card will be conducted on Dec. 24.

Tampa Bay Downs is open every day except Dec. 25, Christmas Day, for simulcast wagering, no-limits action and tournament play in The Silks Poker Room and golf fun and instruction at The Downs Golf Practice Facility.

Holiday Food Drive, Kids Christmas Toy Giveaway kick off season of sharing. The Silks Poker Room is conducting a Holiday Food Drive for needy local families through Oldsmar Cares, a nonprofit organization providing financial assistance, food and clothing to those in need in the Oldsmar area.

Canned items such as vegetables, fruit, meat, tuna and beans, as well as oatmeal, peanut butter, jelly, rice, pasta, pasta sauce, macaroni and cheese and soup, are in high demand.

During the next couple of weeks, there will be events on The Silks Poker Room calendar that will be tied in to the Holiday Food drive. All items collected with be donated to Oldsmar Cares and distributed to local families.

Tampa Bay Downs and The Silks Poker Room are also participating in the 2024 “Spread the Love” Kids Christmas Toy Giveaway conducted by Oldsmar Cares. Patrons are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys to brighten the spirits of local children.

Small trees will be placed in The Silks Poker Room and The Legends Bar with hanging ornaments featuring a QR code for the event. Most of the donation boxes will be set up near the trees.

By scanning the QR code, gift-givers will be able to make a gift purchase on their phones through Oldsmar Cares’ Amazon Wish List.

Cash donations will also be accepted. For details, call The Silks Poker Room at (813) 855-4401, ext. 1498.