At 16-1, Kara France was the last horse most expected to hit the wire first — and she did it the hard way, weaving through traffic from well off the pace to collar the leaders in the final furlong. Machado L had the bay filly perfectly placed in sixth through the early fractions, never asking for much until the moment of truth arrived. When asked, Kara France answered with a decisive move that swept past the entire field in the stretch run. It was a ride of patience and precision, and the result was a stunner for owner Maletto.

Race Recap — The Big Daddy Stakes | 6 Furlongs, Dirt | Tampa Bay Downs Open 4-Year-Olds and Up

Ten horses entered the starting gate on a fast Tampa strip with the 3.25-1 Kick N Scream drawing plenty of support alongside Strategic Knight and First Defence as the other principals. What unfolded over the next 1:08.83 was a front-end battle that ultimately benefited a patient closer who saved ground through the early chaos.

Kick N Scream broke alertly and immediately assumed a prominent position near the front, working his way into contention through the opening quarter. Higher Rate was also quick from the gate, pressing forward from the outside. Americas Hope and West Park both tracked in the early going, while Kara France settled comfortably in sixth, unhurried as the field sorted out through the opening fractions of :21.4.

Through the half-mile marker in :44.4, the front of the field remained competitive. Kick N Scream was in command through the second call, with Higher Rate still close and pressing. First Defence and Strategic Knight were biding their time from mid-pack, positioned to make their runs when asked. Kara France, still sitting sixth, had yet to be called upon — Machado L in no rush as the tempo up front remained honest.

Entering the stretch through the fifth-sixteenth marker at :56.3, the front-runners began to feel the heat. Kick N Scream had led through most of the trip but the field was compressing. Strategic Knight launched a determined bid from his stalking spot, while First Defence ranged up from just behind. At the same moment, Machado L found room and unleashed Kara France, who accelerated through a congested lane with authority — splitting horses and surging to the front in the final furlong.

Kara France hit the wire a half-length in front of Strategic Knight, who finished with the second-best closing move of the afternoon. First Defence and Kick N Scream fought it out for the remaining spots in a dead-heat for third, separated by the narrowest of margins at the wire, sharing the trifecta honors. Higher Rate, prominent throughout, gave way in the final strides to settle fifth.

Each Runner Mentioned:

Kara France — The winner. Settled sixth through the early going, found room in the stretch, and powered past the field in the final furlong under a perfectly judged ride by Machado L for owner Maletto.

Strategic Knight — Big Jd Racing’s seasoned gelding tracked patiently and launched the most sustained closing run of any horse in the field, finishing with purpose but just unable to reel in the winner.

First Defence — John Henry’s veteran ran a consistent, honest race and earned a share of the show money, hitting the wire in a dead heat with Kick N Scream after tracking through the race.

Kick N Scream — Wood Racing Stable’s five-year-old set or pressed the pace and refused to give in easily, dead-heating for third despite shouldering the burden of the front end the entire trip.

Higher Rate — Asgar’s runner was prominent from the early going and tracked closely through every call, but the energy expended stalking the leaders left him with nothing left in the stretch.

Turning Point — TwinTowersRacing’s four-year-old was positioned well off the pace but never launched a meaningful challenge, finishing sixth without threatening the leaders at any point.

Americas Hope — Nakamura Stables’ veteran made a mild forward move approaching the stretch but couldn’t sustain it, finishing seventh in a race that unfolded at a pace that didn’t suit his style.

West Park — Luz International’s gelding was close in the early going but faded from his forward position without finding another gear, finishing alongside Americas Hope.

Turf Warrior — Patterson Stables’ longest shot was outrun from the start and was never a factor in a field that proved too sharp for him on this surface.

Retaliate — Riggins Racing’s experienced campaigner was well off the pace throughout and could never mount the stretch run his form suggested was possible, finishing last.

About the Winner:

Bred by Royalty Stables in Kentucky, Kara France is a bay four-year-old by Hide And Seek out of the mare Pirate Princess, carrying the colors of owner Maletto. With this victory, the gelding has now compiled four wins from thirteen career starts with lifetime earnings of $307,400. A return sprint engagement at Gulfstream Park or a similar six-furlong stakes at Tampa would make logical next targets, where his closing style could prove equally dangerous.

Track: Fast
Time: :21⁴  :44⁴  :56³  1:08⁴

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 8 – 6 Paid 86.80
$1 Trifecta: 8 – 6 – 3 Paid 526.20, 8 – 6 – 9 Paid 526.20

Scratched: None

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded