NEWS
Tampa Bay Derby next for impressive Odysseus
Posted: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 5:17 PM
by Mike Curry
With a dominant victory on Wednesday at Tampa Bay Downs in his first start going two turns, Odysseus solidified his credentials as a contender for the $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on March 13.
The Malibu Moon colt stalked pacesetter Exhi from second under Rajiv Maragh, launched his winning bid on the far turn, and unleashed an explosive turn of foot when given his cue to win by 15 lengths as the 1-to-2 favorite.
Trained by Tom Albertrani for Satish and Anne Sanan’s Padua Stables, Odysseus covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.37 on a track rated as fast for his second win in three career starts.
"I really like this colt. We brought him here because we want to run him in the Tampa Bay Derby next," Satish Sanan said. "I like this track, because it will get him fit enough."
A half brother to multiple stakes winner Once Around, Odysseus finished second in October at Aqueduct in his career debut. He entered off a half-length win at seven furlongs in a January 14 maiden special weight race at Gulfstream Park. Wednesday’s romp gave his connections confidence that they have a talented colt moving forward.
"It was everything we wanted: a distance of ground, an honest pace to follow, a surface that can be testing,” Albertrani said. “He dealt with all of it and impressed."
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
