Here and There

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Apprentice jockey Jose Pietri earned his first trip to the winner's circle on Sunday at Tampa Bay Downs, piloting Mary and Bobby Hodge's Not A Ghost to victory in the track's second race. The win came in the 19-year-old Puerto Rican native's second career mount. "I stayed with my horse (after losing his iron just out of the gate). I didn't panic, I just chirped to him and we made our move," said Pietri. On Tuesday, Tampa Bay Downs will host the $75,000 Endeavour Stakes, a 1 1/8-mile turf race for fillies and mares. Megans Bluff, with Pat Day in the irons, heads the 12-horse field...Jockey Eddie Delahoussaye received a three-day suspension for causing interference aboard Iam the Ice Miss in the fourth race at Santa Anita on Thursday. The veteran rider will sit out Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday...Calder Race Course will give away a free stein, thermos, umbrella, or travel mug to all paying customers on New Year's Day. The featured race on the card is the $100,000 Tropical Park Derby (gr. IIIT). Tuesday is the final day of the Calder meet and is highlighted by the $100,000 Tropical Park Oaks. Racing in South Florida shifts to Gulfstream Park beginning Wednesday. The six-furlong Spectacular Bid Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-olds is the featured race on opening day...On his 54th birthday, Laffit Pincay Jr. rode three winners Friday at Santa Anita. The birthday wins increased his record total to 9,048. Jockey Kent Desormeaux accounted for two winners on the day to move eight wins away from 4,000 career wins...Golden Gate Fields will give away a free commuter mug to all paid attendees at the track on Monday. First post for the nine-race card is 12:45 p.m. (PST). The card is highlighted by the $100,000 Lafayette Handicap. Takarian is the 3-1 morning-line favorite.

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