Tenth in BC Sprint, Willy Boi Regroups in Marion County

Two $100,000 stakes races for Florida-breds who are also sired by registered Florida stallions highlight the racing action Dec. 10 at Tampa Bay Downs.

The seven-furlong Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association Marion County Florida Sire Stakes, for colts and geldings 3-years-old and upward, will be contested as the ninth race. The eight-horse field is headed by 4-year-old gelding Willy Boi , who is making his first start since running 10th in the Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) Nov. 5 at Keeneland.

Owned by Lea Farms and trained by Jorge Delgado, Willy Boi will be ridden by Chantal Sutherland. Willy Boi won the Smile Sprint Invitational Stakes (G3) in July at Gulfstream Park, followed by a third-place finish in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.

Top challengers in the eight-horse field include the race's 2021 winner, 5-year-old Shivaree , Cattin , and Noble Drama .

The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association City of Ocala Florida Sire Stakes, for fillies and mares 3-and-upward, goes earlier as the sixth race, with six horses entered, also over seven furlongs.

The field is headed by Averill Racing and Jayson R. Werth's 4-year-old R Adios Jersey , who won last year's edition of the race by 11 lengths. The Gerald Bennett trainee, recently sixth in the Musical Romance Stakes at Gulfstream Park,  faces a field led by Restofthestory  and Don't Get Khozy .