Penelope P. Miller
Tampa Bay Downs

OLDSMAR, Fla. – The 26th edition of the $65,000 Manatee Stakes was won Saturday by Lady Alexander, a four-year-old daughter of Exchange Rate bred in Florida by Millard Winterwood, owned by Rosemarie Kesselring, ridden by Ricardo Feliciano and trained by Bruce Alexander.  Lady Alexander broke alertly, seized the lead and led gate to wire to emerge the victor by 1¾ lengths. Satans Quick Chick was second, and Choragus rounded out the trifecta, which yielded $520.20 for a $2 wager.

Lady Alexander’s last start was in the Minaret Stakes here on January 2, in which she finished sixth by only 4½ lengths.  Trainer Bruce Alexander said of her improvement, “It was trainer error last time. She had a hard race and a hard time (in her race prior to the Minaret), and she missed considerable time training.  I’ve been coming here a long time, and you can’t win a stakes race here with only one work. Today she was better prepared, and she ran her race. She’s a good filly.” Alexander added with a laugh, “She overcame her trainer today!”  When asked what Lady Alexander’s next start would be, Bruce Alexander said that he was pointing her to the Wayward Lass Stakes here on February 27.

Jockey Ricardo Feliciano said of his mount’s win, “When we drew the one post inside of a fourteen runner field, there was only one way she was going to win it. But it got to raining and four runners scratched out and it looked to me that we were the only speed. I spoke to Mr. Alexander this morning, and he told me she was on point and a little wet would suit her; and it sure did. We got away quick and she just relaxed for me. I knew they would be coming late but I asked her and she had plenty left.”

Finish Lines… Tampa Bay Downs’s leading trainer Kathleen O’Connell haltered two victories today, giving her 22 win so far this season.  O’Connell took her first trip to the Winner’s Circle in the afternoon’s opener with Greatshouthernlady, a four-year-old Greatness filly bred in Florida by Maurice Miller, owned by Ann N. Ferrentino and ridden to victory by Rosemary Homeister, Jr. O’Connell struck again with Spidawoman; the three-year-old daughter of Macho Uno was bred in Florida by Carole Rio and Carole Mohr, was ridden by Hilton Garden Inn Jockey of the Month and carried the colors of owner Richie Rich Racing Stable.

Hunting Print as the victor in the Lambholm South Race of the Week; the seven-year-old Lear Fan gelding is owned and bred by William M. Backer, is trained by Leigh Delacour and was booted home by reinsman Luis Gonzalez.

Tampa Bay Downs is now offering reserved finish-line seats for both Festival Preview Day on February 13, 2010 and Festival Day on March 13, 2010. Tickets are $15 each and include a reserved finish-line seat, admission, a program and a premium giveaway. For more information or to make reservations, please contact the Tampa Bay Downs Admissions Department at 813.866.4401 ext.1350.

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Racing resumes Jan. 31 with a ten race card; there is a Pick Six carryover of $2,646.98.