(Edited Tampa Bay Downs report)

Fierce Wind, who captured last year’s rendition of the Sam F. Davis Stakes, returned to form today an after a 9½ month layoff in the featured overnight handicap. Under jockey Daniel Centeno, Fierce Wind rebuffed a challenge from second-place finisher Wayzata Bay midstretch to win the 1 1/16 miles main track event for owner Halsey Minor. 

Fierce Wind is trained by William Phipps, who is now three-for-three at the Tampa Bay Downs meet after conditioning Dream Rush to victories here in an allowance race as well as the Minaret Stakes.