The Critical Way Never Looks Back in Tampa's Turf Dash
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Photo: SV Photography
The Critical Way wins the Turf Dash Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs
The Critical Way appears to be hitting his best stride at the ripe age of 7 for trainer Jose Delgado. The third betting choice at 5-2, the Tizway gelding rocketed out of the starting gate and never relinquished his lead in the $80,000 Turf Dash Stakes for 4-year-olds and up going five furlongs on the grass at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 24.
"I give special thanks to Jose," said owner Randal Gindi of Monster Racing Stables, who claimed The Critical Way for $30,000 at Gulfstream in January 2020. "He really believed in the horse, and when he entered him in a stakes (the Sept. 7 Marshall Jenney Handicap for Pennsylvania-breds) at Parx, he said 'I don't care what the Beyer figures say. This horse is ready.'
"He wired the field that day from the outside post. I'm very excited about this horse because of his speed and ability to get tactical position."
The Critical Way was among a formidable field of eight in the Turf Dash, including graded stakes winners Imprimis and Turned Aside. The dark bay came off a narrow defeat to Imprimis in the Jan. 1 Janus Stakes at Gulfstream Park, in which the latter clocked five furlongs on the turf in a sizzling :54.82. In his prior start, The Critical Way led every step of the way in a Dec. 11 allowance optional claimer in his Tampa debut.
"I was a little nervous. Actually, a lot nervous," Delgado's assistant Natia Zarzeczny said. "But this is our home turf, and we were pumped and ready. Everything just came together. I think the winning attitude helped."
Breaking from the 3 hole, The Critical Way battled second choice and $725,000 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale purchase Turned Aside through swift opening fractions of :20.99 and :43.54 under jockey Samy Camacho. The gelding put away that rival at the top of the lane and spurted away from the field, holding off the late challenge from even-money favorite Imprimis by half a length. The Connector got up for third over Turned Aside.
"The race was going too fast, and (Jose Ferrer on Turned Aside) was trying to get in front of me and take my position," Camacho said. "But (Delgado) told me no matter what, go to the front and don't lose the lead. (On the turn), I asked my horse a little and thought, nobody can catch me."
The Critical Way stopped the timer in :55.30 over a firm turf course as he captured his seventh win from 22 starts. He increased his earnings to $334,168.
Two races later, Miss Auramet tracked inside before prevailing by half a length to win the $90,750 Lightning City Stakes for older fillies and mares sprinting five furlongs on the turf. Trained by Edward Plesa Jr. for his wife Laurie Plesa along with David Melin and Leon Ellman, the 5-year-old Uncaptured mare completed the distance in :55.30. Ode to Joy and Sethamee Street rallied to finish second and third, respectively.
Video: Turf Dash S. (BT)