BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Mr Mo’s Magic came from six lengths back with a half mile to run and upset the $110,000 Lambholm South Sophomore Turf at odds of 13-1 Sunday at Tampa Bay Downs. The Sophomore Turf was the third of six stakes, all for Florida-breds, in the 23rd running of the Florida Cup.
Eighth in his stakes debut last out in the $100,000 Columbia going a mile on the grass at Tampa Bay on March 7, Mr Mo’s Magic reversed his form to win by a length-and-three-quarters against eight other Florida-bred 3-year-olds.
With regular rider Jose Ferrer, Mr Mo’s Magic had one horse beat with a half mile to race then advanced three wide on the second turn. After Megacles went six furlongs in 1:13.59, Mr Mo’s Magic engaged the early leader approaching the quarter pole and turned for home a head in front. He then kicked clear in the stretch, winning by a length-and-three-quarters in 1:43.20 on the firm turf. Serac finished second, a half-length faster than My Favorite Bird in third. They were followed in order by Chicken Dance, Megacles, even-money favorite The Town, Cruisin Chuck, Move Jesse and Mr. First.
Mr Mo’s Magic paid $28.20 to win.
Trained by Lynn Rarick for Ray Huelsman and Keith Anderson, Mr Mo’s Magic had won two of six previous starts including a one-mile maiden special weight on the turf at Tampa in his third start in December. Two races later he won a first tier, $75,000 optional claiming at the same distance at Tampa Bay on February 14 before disappointing in the Columbia.
“I was very happy with him. The last stakes race we were in, the Columbia, the turf was a little bit soft and I don’t think he like it,” Rarik said. “Not having rain helped us. We tried him on the dirt one time but I think he likes the grass and a firmer surface. Today he did exactly what I thought he would. Every time he’s won, he breaks, sits in the back, comes around, circles the field, and comes down the lane like a rocket. He sure did that today.”
Mr Mo’s Magic earned $70,000 for the win, including a $10,000 Florida Sire bonus. He is by Uncle Chuck out of Magical Flair, by Defrere and was bred in Florida by Gerardo Bello. Bello purchased Magical Flair for $13,000 at the 2021 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale in foal to Maximus Mischief.
Magical Flair is a half-sister to At The Disco, a multiple stakes winner on the turf; graded stakes-placed Dowse Beach, stakes-placed No Mo Magic and Lulu’s Number, the dam of Disco Partner, a multiple graded stakes winner on turf; and stakes-placed Don Six’s Number. She has produced eight foals with six winners from seven starters. Mr Mo’s Magic is her first stakes winner. She has an unraced 2-year-old filly, Double Magic; by Pleasant Acres Stallions’ Magic On Tap. Double Magic sold for $65,000 at last year’s OBS October Yearling Sale.
