The slate of stakes races at Tampa Bay Downs on Jan. 11 saw a pair of Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company graduates earn victories on the day.
The $150,000-guaranteed Pasco Stakes featured some drama as Mr. Pug LLC and J.P.G. 2 LLC’s Naughty Rascal (Rogueish – Baby Doll, by Smarty Jones) was elevated to victory via disqualification. The bay colt was purchased for $39,000 by JPG2 from the consignment of De Meric Sales out of the 2024 OBS March Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training after working in 10 flat. Naughty Rascal previously sold to Silvestre Avila for $22,000 from the consignment of Boutte Sales at the 2023 OBS Winter Mixed Sale.
“My horse ran his race, but I think he’ll get much better going around two turns,” said trainer Gerald Bennett, who told the Tampa Bay Downs publicity team he hopes to bring Florida-bred Naughty Rascal back for the Grade 3, $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes on Feb. 8.
In the Skyway Festival Day companion stakes for 3-year-old fillies, the $150,000 guaranteed Gasparilla Stakes, Dancing Magic (Good Magic – I’ll Take the Cake, by Nobiz Like Shobiz) staged a whirlwind rally to prevail by two lengths. Owned by Mellon Patch, Inc., Dancing Magic was purchased by George Mellon for $270,000 from consignor Gene Recio at the 2024 March Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training after working in 10.1.