Tampa Bay Derby won by Prospective

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Oldsmar, FL (Sports Network) - Prospective, ridden by Luis Contreras, put himself on the Kentucky Derby trail with a solid victory in Saturday's $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby. The 3-1 co-second choice covered the 1 1/16-miles in 1:43.35 on a fast track at Tampa Bay Downs.

Trained by Mark Casse, Prospective was never far off the pace. Cajun Charlie and Fox Rules, both breaking from outside posts, set the pace for the 11-horse field.

Prospective took the lead on the final turn, joined by 12-1 longshot Golden Ticket. Spring Hill Farm, the 2-1 favorite, was third coming off the turn but could not keep up with the leaders.

Golden Ticket, with Manny Cruz riding, had a short lead with a furlong to run. Prospective got past the rival and was able to get the win by just under a length. Cozzetti finished third, three-lengths behind the runner-up.

Completing the order of finish were Spring Hill Farm, Ravelo's Boy, Battle Hardened, Twin, Chief Energy, Fox Rules, Cajun Charlie and Tell All You Know. Scratched from the race was the 3-1 second pick in the program Take Charge Indy.

Prospective, owned by John Oxley. picked up his fourth win in seven starts and increased his bankroll by $210,000 to $441,317.

The colt won Tampa's Pasco Stakes in January and was second to Battle Hardened last month in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at the track. Last year at Woodbine he won the Grey Stakes and was last of 13 in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs.

Prospective returned $8.20, $4.20 and $3.40. Golden Ticket paid $11.20 and $7.80, and Cozzetti paid $5.40 to show.

In 2007 Street Sense won the Tampa Bay Derby and the Run for the Roses.