Tampa Bay Downs Race 3

Starter Optional Claiming

Prize Money: $39,943

PROTEGE (5) showed good pace and went on to score by 4 lengths last time out over 1207m at this track (Dirt). Steps up a level but he is worth serious consideration. SECRET EMPIRE (4) has put together back-to-back placings, the latest when 4 lengths away in second over 1207m at this track (Dirt) when he was always up in the leading division. Nicely placed to play a pivotal role. GUAPO AGAIN (7) displayed plenty of early toe and went on to score by 8 lengths last time out over 1308m at this track (Dirt). It doesn't get any easier but on his best form he is capable of a big performance. MORNING CUP (1) had been racing well with two consecutive placings before last start managing only fifth over 1207m at this track. Should camp just off the leaders. Sure to be thereabouts.

Distance: 1106m
Track: Good
Weather: cloudy
Surface: Dirt
Class: OCLM

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Morning Cup (1) 4212135325
Trainer: Michael V Simone(USA)
Jockey: Samuel Marin
Weight: 54kg
Prize Money: $238,496
Win / Place: 20% / 58%

Distance Specialist

7 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: HARD SPUN (USA)

Dam: CAFETIERE (USA)

Dam's Sire: Elusive Quality

Rating

Stats

Career

29: 6-6-5

Distance

5: 3-1-0

Track

3: 0-1-1

Season

2: 0-1-0

1st Up

4: 2-0-0

2nd Up

3: 1-1-0

3rd Up

3: 1-0-1

4th Up

3: 0-1-2

Metro

13: 3-0-2

Non-Metro

16: 3-6-3

Turf

1: 0-0-0

Dirt

28: 6-6-5

Fast

1: 0-0-0

Anti-Clockwise

29: 6-6-5

Jockey Stats

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1106m - 1207m

Comments

Most recently 5th of 9 at this track on January 23 over 1207m, 7 len behind Mor Spring Spirit with 54kg at $10.80. Before that 2nd of 7 at this track on January 3 over 1207m, 2.75 len behind Rainbow's Pride with 53.5kg at $11.50. Among the winning chances.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
5th of 9	23/1/26	Tampa Bay Downs	1207m	HCP 4U	2	Richard Mitchell	54kg	Fast	1:09.92	62.1 km/h	7.0L	9-5	$11	20	$41,854	$329	1. Mor Spring Spirit 2. Secret Empire 3. In Sky We Trust
2nd of 7	3/1/26	Tampa Bay Downs	1207m	CLM 4U	5	Richard Mitchell	53.5kg	Fast	1:09.99	62.1 km/h	2.8L	5-2	$12	7	$46,338	$7,848	1. Rainbow's Pride 2. Morning Cup 3. Cinco De Mo
3rd of 7	27/12/25	Tampa Bay Downs	1207m	HCP 3U	4	Richard Mitchell	54.5kg	Fast	1:10.00	62.1 km/h	4.8L	5-4	$17	44	$42,879	$3,369	1. Mr Penny Pincher 2. Secret Empire 3. Morning Cup
44 Day Freshen-Up
5th of 5	13/11/25	Finger Lakes	1207m	CLM 3U	5	Keiber J Coa	56kg	M	1:11.83	60.5 km/h	8.0L	3-3	$1.65f	15	$25,191	$756	1. Keigs 2. Sutton Breeze 3. Mad Magic
3rd of 7	29/10/25	Finger Lakes	1207m	HCP 3U	3	Keiber J Coa	57kg	Fast	1:11.38	60.9 km/h	2.5L	4-3	$16	16	$30,441	$3,044	1. East Coast Girl 2. In Sky We Trust 3. Morning Cup
1st of 6	13/10/25	Finger Lakes	1106m	ALLOW 3U	2	Keiber J Coa	56.5kg	Fast	1:05.94	60.4 km/h	0.1L	4-3	$2.41	21	$45,662	$23,744	1. Morning Cup 2. Sutton Breeze 3. Father Walsh

Bar Down Express (2) 41222260x3
Trainer: Craig Robert Smith(USA)
Jockey: Sonny Leon
Weight: 54kg
Prize Money: $194,658
Win / Place: 13% / 66%

6 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: KANTHAROS (USA)

Dam: KICKAPOO PRINCESS (USA)

Dam's Sire: Unreal Zeal

Rating

Stats

Career

30: 4-12-4

Distance

4: 2-1-0

Track

9: 1-4-2

Season

1: 0-0-1

1st Up

4: 1-1-1

2nd Up

2: 0-2-0

3rd Up

2: 1-1-0

4th Up

2: 0-1-0

Metro

21: 3-8-2

Non-Metro

9: 1-4-2

Turf

2: 0-0-0

Good

1: 0-0-0

Dirt

28: 4-12-4

Fast

1: 0-0-0

Firm

1: 0-0-0

Anti-Clockwise

30: 4-12-4

Jockey Stats

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1207m

Comments

Second run back. First-up after seven months 3rd of 8 at this track on February 1 over 1207m, 3.5 len behind Riding A Dream with 54.5kg at $10.60. Previously second-up came from midfield; 2nd of 9 at Delaware Park on June 14 2024 over 1207m, 8 len behind Bold Honor carrying 52kg at $1.50. Should progress from that first-up run.

Expected Settling Position: Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
3rd of 8	1/2/26	Tampa Bay Downs	1207m	CLM 4U	1	Cipriano Gil	54.5kg	Fast	1:10.91	61.3 km/h	3.5L	5-4	$11	196	$35,663	$3,566	1. Riding A Dream 2. Elusive D'oro 3. Bar Down Express
196 Day Spell
10th of 10	20/7/25	Monmouth Park	1106m	ALLOW 3U	10	Madison Olver	55kg	Good	1:03.67	62.5 km/h	7.9L	10-10	$30	23	$79,052	$1,070	1. Pealing Lad 2. Amoudi Bay 3. Spiritinthenight
6th of 8	27/6/25	Monmouth Park	1006m	ALLOW 3U	2	Jeiron Barbosa	55kg	FM	0:56.85	63.7 km/h	4.1L	8-7	$27	27	$78,227	$1,089	1. Gold Trust 2. Jetaros 3. Jungle Glow
2nd of 7	31/5/25	Monmouth Park	1207m	ALLOW OCLM 3	2	Melissa Iorio	55kg	SP	1:10.46	61.7 km/h	1.5L	6-4	$8.30	21	$85,938	$17,188	1. Riyadh Moon 2. Bar Down Express 3. Lloyd
2nd of 6	10/5/25	Monmouth Park	1207m	HCP 3U	1	Samuel Marin	55.5kg	Fast	1:09.91	62.2 km/h	2.5L	6-3	$7.60	24	$36,328	$7,188	1. He's In Charge 2. Bar Down Express 3. Face Abarrio
2nd of 7	16/4/25	Tampa Bay Downs	1308m	HCP 4U	7	Cesar Gonzalez	50.5kg	Fast	1:16.17	61.8 km/h	6.5L	1-2	$14	28	$39,137	$8,179	1. Silver Slugger 2. Bar Down Express 3. Jabran

Secret Empire (3) 7712161622
Trainer: Gerald S Bennett()
Jockey: Samy Camacho
Weight: 54kg
Prize Money: $190,168
Win / Place: 35% / 64%

5 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: CHITU (USA)

Dam: CHARGING LIL (USA)

Dam's Sire: Big Drama

Rating

Stats

Career

14: 5-4-0

Distance

1: 0-0-0

Track

8: 3-3-0

Season

1: 0-1-0

1st Up

1: 0-1-0

2nd Up

1: 1-0-0

3rd Up

1: 0-0-0

4th Up

1: 1-0-0

Metro

6: 2-1-0

Non-Metro

8: 3-3-0

Synthetic

1: 0-0-0

Dirt

13: 5-4-0

Anti-Clockwise

14: 5-4-0

Jockey Stats

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1207m - 1308m

Comments

Recent form sound. Last start tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 9 at this track on January 23 over 1207m, 4 len behind Mor Spring Spirit with 54kg at $2.70. The run before that 2nd of 7 at this track on December 27 over 1207m, 1.75 len behind Mr Penny Pincher with 54.5kg at $2.20. One of the chief contenders.

Expected Settling Position: Off Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 9	23/1/26	Tampa Bay Downs	1207m	HCP 4U	8	J Ferrer	54kg	Fast	1:09.92	62.1 km/h	4.3L	3-3	$2.70f	27	$41,854	$8,371	1. Mor Spring Spirit 2. Secret Empire 3. In Sky We Trust
2nd of 7	27/12/25	Tampa Bay Downs	1207m	HCP 3U	7	J Ferrer	54.5kg	Fast	1:10.00	62.1 km/h	1.8L	1-2	$2.20f	15	$42,879	$8,913	1. Mr Penny Pincher 2. Secret Empire 3. Morning Cup
6th of 10	12/12/25	Tampa Bay Downs	1207m	ALLOW OCLM 3	2	J Ferrer	55.5kg	Fast	1:10.55	61.6 km/h	5.8L	5-3	$6.20	23	$86,524	$513	1. Abeliefinthislivin 2. Impacto 3. Rocket Dragon
1st of 9	19/11/25	Tampa Bay Downs	1207m	ALLOW OCLM 3	1	J Ferrer	54.5kg	Fast	1:11.03	61.2 km/h	1.5L	8-2	$5.10	24	$80,916	$51,603	1. Secret Empire 2. Impacto 3. My Satisfaction
6th of 7	26/10/25	Gulfstream Park	1308m	ALLOW OCLM 3	5	J Ferrer	56kg	Fast	1:16.99	61.2 km/h	13.8L	4-3	$2.70f	58	$86,758	$670	1. Neshume 2. Mr Peeks 3. Swirvin
58 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 7	29/8/25	Gulfstream Park	1207m	ALLOW 3U	2	J Ferrer	56kg	Fast	1:09.32	62.7 km/h	1.5L	3-1	$5.10	13	$62,016	$36,589	1. Secret Empire 2. Lucky Old Son 3. Neshume

Protege (4) 1431254x71
Trainer: Jose H Delgado(USA)
Jockey: Ronaldo Rodriguez (a3.2)
Weight: 51kg
Prize Money: $361,915
Win / Place: 21% / 57%

6 yo Chestnut Horse

Sire: GOOD MAGIC (USA)

Dam: TABOO (USA)

Dam's Sire: Forestry

Rating

Stats

Career

19: 4-3-4

Distance

2: 0-0-1

Track

3: 1-0-0

Season

2: 1-0-0

1st Up

5: 1-0-0

2nd Up

3: 1-0-1

3rd Up

2: 0-1-1

4th Up

2: 0-1-1

Metro

16: 3-3-4

Non-Metro

3: 1-0-0

Synthetic

1: 0-0-1

Dirt

18: 4-3-3

Anti-Clockwise

19: 4-3-4

Jockey Stats

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1207m

Comments

Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up ran last of 7 at this track on January 3 over 1207m, 16 len behind Rainbow's Pride carrying 54kg at $3. Last start favourite; scored a big 4 len win at this track January 11 over 1207m defeating Ikigai with 54.5kg at $1.40. Racing well. Top prospects.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 9	11/1/26	Tampa Bay Downs	1207m	CLM 4U	8	Samuel Marin	54.5kg	Fast	1:11.08	61.1 km/h	4.0L	2-1	$1.40f	8	$27,653	$16,143	1. Protege 2. Ikigai 3. Mithridates
7th of 7	3/1/26	Tampa Bay Downs	1207m	CLM 4U	2	Cipriano Gil	54kg	Fast	1:09.99	62.1 km/h	16.0L	3-7	$3.00f	162	$46,338	$374	1. Rainbow's Pride 2. Morning Cup 3. Cinco De Mo
162 Day Spell
4th of 6	25/7/25	Del Mar	1207m	CLM 3U	5	Edwin Maldonado	54.5kg	Fast	1:09.59	62.4 km/h	8.5L	2-4	$5.30	21	$76,453	$4,587	1. Clampett 2. Devil Among Us 3. Get Her Number
5th of 6	4/7/25	Gulfstream Park	1609m	ALLOW OCLM 3	6	Edgar Perez	56.5kg	SP	1:37.31	59.5 km/h	4.5L	2-2	$3.60	49	$87,156	$673	1. Fiveeyesonskystars 2. Capitan Danny 3. Beastly Speed
49 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 8	16/5/25	Churchill Downs	1207m	ALLOW 3U	5	Ben Curtis	56kg	Fast	1:09.86	62.2 km/h	2.3L	2-2	$6.30	37	$129,688	$25,938	1. Northern Chill 2. Protege 3. Morunning
37 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 8	9/4/25	Keeneland	1207m	ALLOW 3U	1	I Ortiz Jr	56kg	Fast	1:11.93	60.4 km/h	0.8L	4-1	$4.75	46	$87,859	$52,430	1. Protege 2. Tiger's Legacy 3. Shipman
46 Day Freshen-Up

Battle Warrior (5) 6x43x3168
Trainer: Pedro Posadas(USA)
Jockey: Jose Batista
Weight: 55kg
Prize Money: $25,767
Win / Place: 14% / 42%

4 yo Dark Bay/Brown Gelding

Sire: LAOBAN (USA)

Dam: SHANGHAI STARLET (USA)

Dam's Sire: Shanghai Bobby

Rating

Stats

Career

7: 1-0-2

Track

5: 1-0-1

Season

2: 0-0-0

1st Up

3: 0-0-1

2nd Up

2: 1-0-1

3rd Up

1: 0-0-0

4th Up

1: 0-0-0

Metro

2: 0-0-1

Non-Metro

5: 1-0-1

Turf

2: 0-0-1

Dirt

5: 1-0-1

Fast

2: 0-0-1

Anti-Clockwise

7: 1-0-2

Jockey Stats

Horse

1: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1006m - 1408m

Comments

Most recently raced on the pace before fading 8th of 10 at this track on January 31 over 1408m, 11 len behind Take The Gold carrying 54kg at $28.90. The race before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 9 at this track on January 11 over 1408m, 6 len behind Super Tiz carrying 55.5kg at $5.60. Needs to find several lengths to threaten.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
8th of 10	31/1/26	Tampa Bay Downs	1408m	CLM 4U	1	Jose A Batista	54kg	Fast	1:25.41	59.3 km/h	11.2L	2-4	$29	20	$31,812	$274	1. Take The Gold 2. My Satisfaction 3. Steam Powered
6th of 9	11/1/26	Tampa Bay Downs	1408m	CLM 4U	3	Ademar Santos	55.5kg	Fast	1:25.07	59.6 km/h	6.8L	3-2	$5.60	25	$28,401	$262	1. Super Tiz 2. Profitability 3. My Lucky Angel
1st of 12	17/12/25	Tampa Bay Downs	1308m	MDN CLM 3U	2	Ademar Santos	55.5kg	Fast	1:18.38	60.1 km/h	2.5L	2-1	$5.30	21	$28,331	$14,839	1. Battle Warrior 2. Kantharos Jr 3. Take Your Medicine
3rd of 9	26/11/25	Tampa Bay Downs	1207m	MDN CLM 3U	2	Ademar Santos	55.5kg	Fast	1:11.88	60.5 km/h	3.8L	4-3	$3.80	96	$28,244	$2,595	1. Star Of Abraham 2. So Grand 3. Battle Warrior
96 Day Spell
3rd of 8	22/8/25	Colonial Downs	1006m	MDN CLM 3U	8	Jorge Ruiz	53.5kg	FM	0:56.46	64.1 km/h	3.0L	5-2	$4.30	21	$49,612	$4,961	1. Shear Magic 2. Fly Commander 3. Battle Warrior
4th of 10	1/8/25	Colonial Downs	1106m	MDN CLM 3U	10	Jorge Ruiz	53.5kg	FM	1:04.49	61.7 km/h	2.1L	3-1	$4.20f	189	$49,612	$2,481	1. Mamba Mindset 2. Go To Bingo 3. Fly Commander
189 Day Spell

Guapo Again (6) 3217223x81
Trainer: Juan Carlos Avila()
Jockey: Cipriano Gil
Weight: 54kg
Prize Money: $146,122
Win / Place: 26% / 68%

Unbeaten 3rd Up

Dominant Win Last Start

6 yo Chestnut Gelding

Sire: SEEK AGAIN (USA)

Dam: FACEGIRL (BRZ)

Dam's Sire: Crimson Tide

100

Rating

Stats

Career

19: 5-6-2

Distance

4: 1-1-0

Track

2: 1-0-0

Season

2: 1-0-0

1st Up

4: 1-0-0

2nd Up

3: 1-1-0

3rd Up

2: 2-0-0

4th Up

1: 0-0-0

Metro

12: 2-4-1

Non-Metro

7: 3-2-1

Turf

6: 1-3-1

Dirt

13: 4-3-1

Fast

6: 1-3-1

Anti-Clockwise

19: 5-6-2

Jockey Stats

Horse

2: 1-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1207m - 1308m

Comments

Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 8th of 10 at this track on January 3 over 1207m, 11 len behind Paynted Warrior carrying 54.5kg at $7. Second run from a spell scored a big 8 len win at this track January 16 over 1308m defeating Rebel Empire with 55.5kg at $3.40. Racing well. Top prospects.

Expected Settling Position: Off Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 7	16/1/26	Tampa Bay Downs	1308m	CLM 4U	4	Cipriano Gil	55.5kg	Fast	1:16.86	61.3 km/h	8.3L	1-1	$3.40	13	$28,401	$15,695	1. Guapo Again 2. Rebel Empire 3. Mr Squeaky Wheels
8th of 10	3/1/26	Tampa Bay Downs	1207m	CLM 4U	6	Cipriano Gil	54.5kg	Fast	1:10.30	61.8 km/h	11.0L	2-6	$7.00	386	$37,369	$314	1. Paynted Warrior 2. Dundie 3. Elusive D'oro
386 Day Spell
3rd of 4	13/12/24	Penn National	1207m	ALLOW OCLM 3	2	Jevian Toledo	55kg	Fast	1:10.32	61.8 km/h	5.8L	4-3	$4.70	22	$49,307	$5,424	1. Sheriff Ronnie 2. Camulus 3. Guapo Again
2nd of 4	21/11/24	Penn National	1207m	ALLOW OCLM 3	1	Jevian Toledo	55kg	Good	1:10.34	61.8 km/h	0.8L	4-1	$4.50	18	$48,706	$9,741	1. Sheriff Ronnie 2. Guapo Again 3. Our Pride N Joy
2nd of 9	3/11/24	Laurel Park	1106m	HCP 3U	3	Jevian Toledo	56kg	FM	1:02.60	63.6 km/h	0.1L	4-1	$3.00f	21	$62,755	$11,263	1. Tall Order 2. Guapo Again 3. Inevtabl Conection
7th of 10	13/10/24	Laurel Park	1710m	ALLOW OCLM 3	1	H Karamanos	56kg	FM	1:41.86	60.4 km/h	8.1L	2-4	$7.40	28	$78,324	$434	1. Ruse 2. Fierce And Strong 3. St John's

Race Review Abbreviations

3WNC: Three wide no cover, Awk: Awkwardly away, Bk: Back, Blkd: Blocked, Btld: Battled, Chal: Challenged, Chkd: Checked, Cvr: Cover, Fdd: Faded, Fght: Fought, Fin: Finish, Hdd: Headed, Hld up: Held up, Hmprd: Hampered, Hndy: Handy, Kikd: Kicked, Kn: Keen, Ld: Led/Lead, Midf: Midfield, Mod pc: Moderate pace, Otf: On the Fence, ROS: Ran on strongly, Slow: Slow away, Snagd: Snagged, Stld: Settled, Tn: Turn, Trld: Trailed, Under pres: Under pressure, Under rd: Under riding, Urgd: Urged, Wd: Wide, Wdr: Wider, Weavd: Weaved, Wknd: Weakened, Wrkd: Worked

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