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Oaks News
By: Joel Cunningham TAMPA BAY, Fla. (March 18, 2006) - Bushfire made amends for her last place finish in last month's Davona Dale Stakes at Gulfstream Park by defeating a solid group of 3-year-old fillies Saturday in the $200,000 Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs. Bushfire, under new rider John Velazquez, broke from the inside and contested the early pace with fellow frontrunner Stolen Prayer as expected through a half mile in 47.21. On the far turn, Bushfire shook off that rival and opened up a clear advantage as they turned for home, with 6-5 favorite Crystal Current assuming second place on the outside but toiling to keep up. Saratoga Drive began to rally strongly from the back of the pack and loomed as the lone danger to a clear Bushfire in midstretch, but Bushfire's lead proved insurmountable and the daughter of Louis Quatorze hit the wire a dwindling three-parts-of-a-length ahead of a fast charging Saratoga Drive. Trained by Eddie Kenneally, Bushfire returned $13.40 after completing the mile-and-a-sixteenth in 1:46.25 over fast going. Crystal Current never really threatened and had to grind out third place late, 3 3/4-lengths behind Saratoga Drive. The win was Bushfire's third from six starts, increasing her career earnings to $165,740 for owners Ron and Ricki Rashinski. The speedy Florida-bred filly broke her maiden in her second start last November at Churchill Downs, which was her first start around two turns, and she backed that effort up with a game victory over top 3-year-old filly Teammate in a Gulfstream Park allowance in her seasonal debut in January. Her lone disappointing performance was a seventh in the slop in last month's Davona Dale, but she rebounded Saturday afternoon when returning to a fast surface and appears to be on track to head back to Louisville for the May 5th Gr. I Kentucky Oaks.
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