Case Hoping For Untroubled Win For March to the Arch In Tampa Bay Stakes
Live Oak Plantation's March to the Arch, has encountered trouble in his last 11 starts but still managed to win the Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes. Trainer Mark Casse is hoping for an encore of that result Feb. 8 in the $175,000 Tampa Bay Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
On the plus side, the Florida-bred March to the Arch will get the benefit of a ground-saving trip for at least part of the 1 1/16-mile turf test as the grade 2 winner and jockey Tyler Gaffalione landed the rail in a field of nine.
That Keeneland race was two starts ago in the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes when March the Arch was bothered at the start and then fanned five-wide on the final turn and nevertheless managed to finish fifth, only a length behind the victorious Bowies Hero.
Out of the Black Sam Bellamy mare Daveron and half brother to Grade 3 winner Global Access, March to the Arch has a first and second in two starts on turf at Tampa, winning the Touch Vodka Turf Classic Stakes last year.
Three Diamonds Farm's Hembree should also be at the back early for trainer Mike Maker. Unraced since finishing fourth by a length in the Aug. 31 Tourist Mile at Kentucky Downs, he has a mark of 6-10-4 in 30 starts with earnings of $673,783. He won the 2018 Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine for his lone graded stakes win.
The Shadwell Mile was a forgettable experience for Jeffrey S. Amling and Merriebelle Stable's grade 3 winner Real Story, who vied for the early lead while 5-wide but faded to last in the field of 14, beaten by 20 lengths. Rested since that Oct. 5 start by trainer Ignacio Correas IV, the 5yo Fast Bullet gelding should benefit from a field without an abundance of early speedsters.