OLDSMAR, FL – Jim Bakke’s 8/5 favorite Winfromwithin impressively won gate to wire in Saturday’s $75,000 Columbia Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
Winfromwithin went straight to the front as he broke from the rail under Luis Saez, who settled the Todd Pletcher trainee down through opening fractions of :22.50, :46.11, and 1:09.88.
Kicking clear at the top of the stretch, Winfromwithin distanced himself from his rivals despite running on the wrong lead until the 1/16 pole. A late-running Crew Dragon rallied late but was no match for Winfromwithin, 4 lengths clear on the wire.
The Todd Pletcher trainee completed the firm turf mile route in a new track record time of 1:33.72, besting Lucky J J’s mark set while winning this same race on February 12, 2000.
Crew Dragon was 1 length clear of Boreas, while Blue Cat came running from last to take fourth.
The Right Stuff, Private Island, Whatmakessammyrun, Tapwood, Heat of the Night, Castle King, and Comedy Town completed the order of finish.
Mira Mission and Tapsasional scratched from the race restricted to 3-year-olds.
Winfromwithin’s victory was his second straight following a similar gate-to-wire score going 1 1/16 miles against Gulfstream Park maidens on January 2. The Into Mischief colt, purchased for $100,000 as a yearling, has now earned $92,120 to go with a 5-2-1-0 record.
Winfromwithin returned $5.40 to win, $3.80 to place, and $3 to show. Crew Dragon brought back $6.60 to place and $4.60 to show. Boreas paid $9.60 to show.
