Zany remains unbeaten in Suncoast Stakes

Zany started as the 1-5 favorite in Saturday’s $125,000 Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs and ran to expectations, easily beating half a dozen rivals.

The unbeaten winner of the Demoiselle (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks last year, Zany brought her career tally to 3-for-3 in the Suncoast, which awarded Kentucky Oaks (G1) qualifying points to the top five finishers on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis.

With Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle for trainer Todd Pletcher, Zany settled as far back as fifth place as longshot Kadabra set fractions of :24.89, :49.55, and 1:13.38. However, an outside rally launched Zany into third place through six furlongs in 1:13.38, and although she raced greenly down the homestretch, she gradually pulled clear to score by 2 3/4 lengths.

“I think she’s still learning. She’s an extremely talented filly that’s still doing most of it on natural talent, it seems,” Pletcher told Tampa Bay Downs. “I liked the first turn. She got in behind horses and got some kickback and all that, which is good experience for her. Turning for home, she was a little late on her lead change and kind of drifted about and was looking around. It’s a tribute to her talent that she’s able to win impressively while still learning how to finish off a race.”

Zany completed one mile and 40 yards in 1:40.56. Life of Joy, the early trailer, finished second after making a strong move during the first half of the race. Kadabra held for third place, followed by Justamomentplease, Tremont Tammy, Lightscape, and Y’allreadyforthis.

Bred by D.J. Stable and owned by Repole Stable, Zany is a daughter of American Pharoah out of the Uncle Mo mare Mo’ Green. She’s compiled career earnings of $221,500 and ranks fourth on the latest Kentucky Oaks qualification leaderboard with 30 points.

The Suncoast wasn’t the only stakes win on the afternoon for Ortiz. He also won the Sam F. Davis S. aboard Pletcher’s Renegade, and shortly before that, he guided Concrete Glory to victory in the six-furlong $125,000 Pelican S. for older horses.

A Pennsylvania-bred gelding, Concrete Glory started at 6-1 off a defeat in the Commodore S. at Oaklawn Park. At Tampa, he proved clearly best. A sharp start allowed Concrete Glory to secure the lead through splits of :22.19 and :44.59, and down the lane he kicked away to win by two lengths over stretch-running Track Mate, hitting the wire in 1:09.74.

Silver Slugger, Rolando, Chrome Ghost, El Principito, Naughty Rascal, and Beach Colt trailed home Concrete Glory, a son of Bodemeister owned by Big Frank Stable and trained by Saffie Joseph Jr.

Prior to the Suncoast, the $125,000 Minaret S. for older fillies and mares saw Joseph’s Mystic Lake prevail with ease as the 7-10 favorite in her seasonal debut.

The winner of five stakes in 2025, including the Inside Information (G2), Mystic Lake started her 2026 campaign on a powerful note. She vied with longshot Sandy’s Garden through fractions of :22.41 and :45.58 before powering clear to win by 7 1/2 lengths under jockey Flavien Prat, stopping the clock in 1:10.34.

Summer’s Comin, Admiral Hopper, Long Gone Sally, Ms. Bucchero, and Sandy’s Garden trailed home the winner, a daughter of Mo Town owned by the partnership of Miller Racing, BAG Racing Stables, and Stefania Farms.