By J.N. Campbell
An early local watering hole for those 3-year-old colts who might have aspirations of heading to the GII Tampa Bay Derby in early March, it was Naughty Rascal (Rogueish) who was elevated to the top of the podium after the stewards disqualified Owen Almighty (Speightstown) in the Pasco Stakes at the northern Florida track on Saturday afternoon.
As the heavy favorite, Owen Almighty and Rookie Card (Adios Charlie) engaged in a speed duel from the bell. Tabbed at 3-1, Naughty Rascal tracked closely from the second flight. At the three-eights marker, Rookie Card was bumped by the chalk and was forced to drop back. Entering the lane, Owen Almighty and Naughty Rascal traded blows with the former getting the better of his rival. After an inquiry, the winner was taken down for interference and placed fifth behind Rookie Card, while Naughty Rascal was declared the winner.
The Gerald Bennett trainee broke his maiden at first asking in the slop against state breds down south in Hallandale last summer and then won the open company Proud Man Stakes over the same surface in August. After running third in the Aventura Stakes at Gulfstream in late September, the colt switched to the grass course at the track and captured the Armed Forces Stakes Nov. 2. Taking to the dirt once again, the bay was last seen finishing as the runner-up to Donut God (Into Mischief) in the Inaugural Stakes at Tampa Dec. 7.
The winner is his unraced dam's last registered foal on record. Not bred for this season, Baby Doll is a half-sister to SW Prize Doll (Pure Prize).
#5 NAUGHTY RASCAL ($8.20) was elevated to first in the $150,000 Pasco Stakes at @TampaBayDownsFL after the disqualification of Owen Almighty.
This is the third stakes victory for the three-year-old Rogueish colt. @EdwinGonzalz1 was aboard for trainer Gerald Bennett. pic.twitter.com/90gH75wQnu
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 11, 2025
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