Last season's leading rider at Tampa, Jesus Castanon, rode Pies Prospect, a winner of more than $607,539 in his career, including several graded stakes races. He was favored at 1-2 in the field of six.Second place went to Cherokee Prince and Tour the Hive rounded out the trifecta. (Chart, Equibase)
Pies Prospect shattered the 1 1/16-mile track record at Tampa Bay Downs in Friday's featured ninth race with a clocking of 1:43.27. The old mark set on March 29, 1989 was held by Sunny Prospector of 1:43.40.(The track initially reported Pies Prospect's time as 1:42.27).The 5-year-old son of Crafty Prospector rallied from just off the pace in the $60,000 optional allowance/claiming event to win by 5 3/4 lengths for owner Robert LaPenta and trainer Nick Zito.