Shivaree, Heiressall Shine in Saturday’s Twin FL Sire Stakes

OLDSMAR, FL – Jacks or Better Farm homebred Shivaree and My Purple Haze Stables homebred Heiressall shined brightest of all in Saturday’s twin FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

The Marion County (for colts and geldings) and the City of Ocala (for fillies and mares) were each contested at 7 furlongs on a main track rated fast.

In the Marion County, the 2-time stakes winner and multiple graded stakes-placed Shivaree put his class on full display. With Roberto Alvarado Jr. in the saddle, the Ralph Nicks trainee was 2 1/4 lengths much the best while completing the event in 1:21.68.

“Roberto gave him a patient ride, got through traffic well, and was aggressive when he needed to be,” Nicks said. “He stalked the pace today the way we wanted; he didn’t have to be sent and we knew he’d stay steady and try hard down the lane. I knew he had a big chance at the 1/16 pole.”

The defending race champion Jackson, the 6/5 favorite Noble Drama, Old Time Revival, Legal Deal, Lord Barna, and My Boy Lenny completed the order of finish.

A 3-year-old Awesome of Course colt, Shivaree’s record now stands at 15-4-3-2 with $433,475 earned.

“I liked his chances, but he was going in against some established older horses,” Nicks said. “(Jackson), Noble Drama, (My Boy Lenny), (Old Time Revival) – it was a tough, solid group of older horses that will make a young horse run.”

Shivaree returned $13.60 to win, $5.60 to place, and $3.20 to show. Jackson brought back $4.40 to place and $2.60 to show, while Noble Drama paid $2.10 to show.

Three races later in the City of Ocala, Heiressall made good on her 9/5 favoritism with a -length stalk-and-pounce score under Antonio Gallardo. The Teresa Pompay trainee completed the race in 1:23.35 for her second stakes victory in her past 3 starts following the Sheer Drama.

“Everything came out how I wanted, really,” Gallardo said. “(Pompay) and the assistant trainer (Gerardo Perez) told me to let the speed go but keep her fairly close, and it worked out perfect. She looked beautiful in the paddock and she was ready. She was very relaxed in the race, and when I asked her, she did everything right.”

Independent Miss, The Goddess Lyssa, Tiz Possible Dear, Reagan’s Rose, Ceci Valentina, and Mama Longlegs completed the order of finish. R Prerogative and Patton’s Girl scratched.

A 5-year-old Wildcat Heir mare, Heiressall’s record improved to 20-7-4-2 with $358,038 earned.

“She is a professional girl,” Pompay said. “She is all business on the race track. She loves what she does; you just have to put her in the right spots and she does her job.”

Heiressall returned $5.80 to win, $3.60 to place, and $3 to show. Independent Miss brought back $5.60 to place and $3.20 to show, while The Goddess Lyssa paid $4.40 to show.