Longshot steals Tampa stakes

By: Sports Network

Oldsmar, FL (Sports Network) - Trainer Nick Zito"s The Cliff"s Edge was expected to successfully

begin his road to the Kentucky Derby at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday. However, the longshot Kaufy

Mate never got the memo.

Sent off as a 34-1 outsider, Kaufy Mate came home the winner of the $100,000

Sam F. Davis Stakes. It marked the colt"s first win in a stakes race after

finishing seventh in the Pasco Stakes in January.

Kaufy Mate, ridden by Ramsey Zimmerman, pressed the pace being set by Misguided Left.

The gray colt took the lead at the furlong marker and was able to hold off

The Cliff"s Edge. The margin of victory was 1 3/4 lengths.

Finishing third was Zakocity followed by Misguided Left, Hitthegroundrunnin,

Keystone Point, Wire Bound, Tap Day, Oh Oleg, Johnny Tornado and Avid Skier. The

time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:44.60.

The Cliff"s Edge, winner of two stakes as a two-year-old, was the 1-2 favorite

in the Sam F. Davis Stakes. His next start is scheduled to be in the Rebel Stakes

at Oaklawn Park.

Kaufy Mate is trained by Kirk Ziadie for owner Gregory Kaufman. The three-year-old

notched his third career win and adds $60,000 to his earnings.

Kaufy Mate returned $71.40, $13.00 and $5.20. The Cliff"s edge paid $3.00 and

$2.40, and Zakocity paid $3.00 for show.

Coming of the victory, look for Kaufy Mate to start in the Tampa Bay Derby

on March 14.