Justify's half-sister draws attention for Tampa Bay Downs debut

Justify’s half-sister was the subject of attention before Wednesday's eighth race on the Tampa Bay Downs turf, but another first-time starter, 3-year-old filly Pep, made a decisive stretch move up the rail under jockey Willie Martinez to pull off a 13-1 upset, defeating Chancetheracer by a length-and-a-quarter.

The winner’s time was 1:43.02 for the mile-and-a-sixteenth distance. Pep is owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and trained by Todd Pletcher.

Egyptian Storm, a 3-year-old filly who is by Pioneerof the Nile out of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify’s dam, Stage Magic (making her a half to the champion), finished fifth, failing to fire but perhaps benefiting from the experience.

Antonio Gallardo rode two winners Wednesday. He scored in the fourth race on Ollivander, a 4-year-old gelding owned by Blazing Meadows Farm and trained by Tim Hamm. Gallardo added the ninth race on the turf on Bourbon Endowment, a 3-year-old filly owned by Bourbon Lane Stable and Six Column Stables and trained by Ian Wilkes.

Thoroughbred racing continues Friday with a nine-race card beginning at 12:45 p.m. The track is open every day for simulcast wagering, no-limits action and tournament play in The Silks Poker Room and golf fun and instruction at The Downs Golf Practice Facility.