BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Bella Mia Stables’ Fluid Situation goes for his second win in three starts Sunday at Tampa Bay Downs when the Florida-bred gelding heads a field of nine 4-year-olds and older running under second level, $32,000 optional claiming conditions going six furlongs. The $53,000 purse includes $18,000 from the Florida-bred Incentive Fund and the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association and $2,500 in Florida Owner Awards.
Fluid Situation is the 2-1 morning line favorite while making his first start on dirt since January of last year and returns after finishing fourth behind winner Gaslight Dancer in a second level, $62,500 optional claiming going six furlongs on the turf at Aqueduct on Nov. 15. However, he encountered trouble at several stages as he was away last after being was bumped at the start and was then forced four-wide in the turn.
The John Terranova II trainee won at that level and distance two starts back during the Belmont at Big A meet on Oct. 17 and has black-type credentials having finished third in the 2022 Dwyer (G3) won by Charge It.
A 6-year-old gelding by Warrior’s Reward, Fluid Situation is out of Volatile Vickie, by Elusive Quality and was bred in Florida by Hidden Point Farm Inc. He has won five with five thirds in 20 starts and has earned $301,371.
Fluid Situation will be ridden by Pablo Morales from post six.
Another Florida-bred figures prominently in the Juan Arriagada-owned and trained Impacto, who is in search of his third straight victory.
Arriangada claimed the 6-year-old gelding for $12,500 out of a winning effort going six furlongs at Tampa Bay Downs on Jan. 4 then won with him at the $20,000 claiming level at the same distance on Jan. 15.
In 18 lifetime races, Impacto has earned $130,886 from eight wins, two seconds and two thirds, including a third-place finish in the 2023 Don Getty Stakes at Century Downs.
Impacto is by First Dude out of Rara, by Tiz Wonderful and was bred in Florida by Jose Manuel Contreras.
Arriagada has given the riding assignment to Ademar Santos and they will depart from the outside post nine. Impacto is 5-2 on the morning line.
Florida-bred Rouki looks to repeat his victory going five furlongs on the Tampa Bay turf at this level on Nov. 27.
Trained by Gerald Bennett for Tropic Lightning Racing, Rouki since was a disappointing seventh behind winner Uncaptured Warrior under these conditions at Tampa Bay on Dec. 14.
Rouki is by Solera Farm stallion Rogueish out of Kizuna, by Harlington and was bred by Bonnie J. Thompson and Edward Seltzer.
Daniel Centeno will ride the 10-1 morning line shot from post eight.
Rounding out the field are Timeless Bounty and jockey Yan Aviles, Alonso Quinoez rides Florida-bred Eightysixchevy, Heaven Rules will be ridden by Israel Rodriguez, Marcos Meneses takes the call on Catire Vizcaya, Private Desire will have Hector Diaz Jr. in the saddle and Go Otto Go with rider Ken Tohill.
Return to the February 1 issue of Wire to Wire
