Favored Poppy’s Pride Wires Inaugural

OLDSMAR, FL – Stonehedge homebred Poppys Pride made good on his 6/5 favoritism when taking the field on a gate-to-wire chase in Saturday’s $100,000 Inaugural Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

Poppy’s Pride shot from the rail under Samy Camacho and posted opening fractions of :21.89 and :44.70 while Gatsby gave closest watch, but that rival’s bid for the lead failed at the top of the stretch.

Poppy’s Pride shied a bit from Camacho’s crop in mid-stretch, but the Michael Yates trainee was still strong enough to win the 6-furlong fast dirt sprint by 2 3/4 lengths in 1:10.05.

Al Heybay rallied up the inside to cross second by a 1/2-length over Thealligatorhunter, who earned third by a head past a weakening Gatsby.

Arrest Me Red and Tapsasional completed the order of finish in the race restricted to juveniles.

Poppy’s Pride’s win was his fourth straight and third at the stakes level, following similar successes in the Armed Forces and the Juvenile Sprint in his 2 prior starts. The Khozan gelding’s overall record now stands at 6-4-1-1 with $211,724 earned.

Poppy’s Pride returned $4.40 to win, $3 to place, and $2.60 to show. Al Heybay brought back $4.20 to place and $3.20 to show, while Thealligatorhunter paid $5.40 to show.