Helium Returns Big ‘Balloons’ In Tampa Bay Derby Upset

[Wandering Eyes]

D J Stable LLC's HELIUM (c, 3, Ironicus–Thundering Emilia, by Thunder Gulch) overcame an impossibly wide trip and held off a late charge from the well-backed Hidden Stash (Constitution) to win Saturday's GII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby by three-quarters of a length. Perfect in two starts over the Woodbine synthetic track last year, including a 4 1/4-length success in the Display S. when last seen Oct. 18, the $55,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling purchase was slow into stride from a wide gate and was left no choice but to take the first turn in about the six path while racing with just two rivals behind. Five or six paths off the inside down the backstretch, Helium went for an early run with about a half-mile to travel, but continued to be trapped off the track, as favored Candy Man Rocket (Candy Ride {Arg}) was moving simultaneously underneath him. Consigned to a five-deep trip around the second turn, Helium nevertheless gained steadily on the leaders, was shifted down to the inside when making the lead in upper stretch and managed to hold sway late. Hidden Stash, a latest third to Candy Man Rocket in the GIII Sam F. Davis S. Feb. 6, looked to have Helium at his mercy at the sixteenth pole, but blew up late and settled for second. Sales history: $55,000 Ylg '19 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0. O-D J Stable LLC; B-Teneri Farm Inc & Bernardo Alvarez Calderon (KY); T-Mark Casse.

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