Gulfstream Park’s Saturday programme delivered a welcome return to winning form for Arindel’s durable colt Tank, who showed grit and control from the front to land the $100,000 FHBPA Turf and snap a frustrating seven-race winless stretch.
The 1 1/16-mile contest, one of six Florida-bred stakes on the 11-race card, saw Tank rediscover his best under Samy Camacho, dictating matters from the outset before holding off a late surge to score by a length in 1:38.94 on firm ground. Trained by Carlos David, the four-year-old’s performance marked his fifth career victory and a fourth success at stakes level.
Breaking sharply, Tank was urged forward to secure the lead ahead of Tapit Kissit Winit, with Camacho keen to avoid a prolonged duel through the early fractions. The opening quarter was brisk at 22.89 seconds, and though the tempo steadied slightly to a half in 46.43, the race began to take shape as Private Thoughts, the well-fancied runner, moved into contention turning for home.
Straightening into the stretch, Tank still held the advantage, but the challenge soon arrived from Adios Cole, who produced a sustained run down the centre of the track. Private Thoughts flattened out under pressure, leaving Adios Cole as the principal threat. Tank drifted slightly inside the final furlong, prompting a brief objection, but the stewards allowed the result to stand.
Adios Cole finished a clear second, two lengths ahead of Junction Road in third. Tapit Kissit Winit faded to fourth, followed by Private Thoughts, Brawn and Classic Mo Town. Stablemate Scarecrow was withdrawn before the race.
Speaking after the race, Camacho explained the measured aggression of his ride. “I wanted the lead cleanly and then to control things from there. Once he settled, I waited for them to come to me. When they did, he responded well,” he said. “He drifted a little late, but he kept trying. That’s what he always does.”
Tank, out of the mare Vegas, had been knocking on the door in recent outings, placing in three of his previous four starts, including the Tropical Park Derby and Sunshine Turf. His record now stands at five wins, two seconds and four thirds from 18 starts, with earnings climbing to $388,270.
Earlier on the card, the FHBPA Filly & Mare Turf over one mile produced another decisive performance, this time from Live Oak Plantation’s Souper Zonda. Ridden by Sonny Leon, she tracked the early pace before asserting in the straight to secure her second consecutive stakes victory.
Souper Zonda, sent off the favourite, settled comfortably in third as Nina’s Last Gift and longshot Miss Mary Nell set the early fractions. Turning for home, Miss Mary Nell briefly took control, but Souper Zonda loomed strongly on the outside and surged past in the closing stages to win in 1:33.19.
Dreaming of Abba finished strongly to snatch second by a nose from Miss Mary Nell, with Ashima running on for fourth. The remainder of the field followed in a tightly packed finish behind the principals.
A daughter of Curlin, Souper Zonda has now won five of her 10 starts and continues to thrive on the Gulfstream turf, where she boasts an impressive record. Saturday’s success further underlined her consistency and upward trajectory in the division.
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