OLDSMAR, FL – A rare dead heat finish between the front-running Adios Trippi and the rallying Special Princess concluded Saturday’s $125,000 Gasparilla Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
Adios Trippi went straight to the lead from post 4 under Antonio Gallardo, but Special Princess and jockey Ademar Santos took back to the rear after breaking from the rail.
Adios Trippi began to pull ahead at the top of the stretch, but she grew leg-weary near the 1/16 pole. Special Princess tipped out to rally down the middle of the lane and caught the pacesetter on the wire.
The pair crossed 1 3/4 lengths clear of the even-money favorite Feeling Mischief, completing the 7-furlong fast dirt sprint in 1:24.89.
Big Rings, Charge It All, Make a Scene, and Marketability completed the order of finish in the field restricted to 3-year-old fillies.
Adios Trippi is a Florida-bred Indian Charlie filly whose record stands at 4-2-0-1 with $88,900 earned for co-owners Paradise Farms, Brian Hanley, Greg Boyer, Scott Estes, and Walder Racing (the racing arm of her trainer, Peter Walder).
Special Princess, another Florida native, competes for owner/breeder J D Farms under the care of trainer Walter Woodard. The daughter of Bahamian Squall’s record is 7-2-1-1 with $95,725 earned.
Adios Trippi brought back $5.60 to win, $5.60 place, and $3.20 to show. Special Princess returned $13.20 to win, $11.80 to place, and $4.80 to show. Feeling Mischief paid $2.40 to show.
