Horse Race Preview: The Grade II Hillsborough Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs

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The Grade II Hillsborough Stakes is set to take place on March 8, 2025, at Tampa Bay Downs. This 1 1/8-mile turf race for fillies and mares aged four and up has a purse of $225,000 and promises to be an exciting event. Let’s dive into the details of the horses, jockeys, trainers, and pedigrees for this race.

Horses and Pedigrees

  1. Sparkle Blue
    1. Sire: Hard Spun
    1. Dam: Silk n’ Sapphire
    1. Breeder: Catherine Parke
    1. Owner: Augustin Stable and Catherine Parke
    1. Trainer: H. Graham Motion
    1. Jockey: Jorge Ruiz
    1. Weight: 119 lbs
  2. Avenue Niel (IRE)
    1. Sire: Helmet (AUS)
    1. Dam: Andalouserie (FR)
    1. Breeder: S.C. Ecurie De Meautry
    1. Owner: R. Larry Johnson
    1. Trainer: Michael J. Trombetta
    1. Jockey: Lanfranco Dettori
    1. Weight: 119 lbs
  3. She’s Fire
    1. Sire: Flameaway
    1. Dam: My Wish List
    1. Breeder: Bill Adair, Phyllis Adair & Connie Brown
    1. Owner: Divine Light Healing Ministries
    1. Trainer: Kevin Rice
    1. Jockey: Israel O. Rodriguez
    1. Weight: 119 lbs
  4. Venencia (FR)
    1. Sire: Recoletos (FR)
    1. Dam: Sign of Life
    1. Breeder: Patricia Laffon Lomba, Ines Laffon Lomba & Fernando Laffon Lomba
    1. Owner: Bradley Thoroughbreds, Laura Leigh Stable, Jim Cone, Belmar Racing and Breeding, LLC, Team Hanley and Cambron Equine, LLC
    1. Trainer: Chad C. Brown
    1. Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
    1. Weight: 119 lbs
  5. Victoria’s Dancer
    1. Sire: Munnings
    1. Dam: Artisanal
    1. Breeder: Lochlow Farm
    1. Owner: Victoria’s Ranch
    1. Trainer: Juan Carlos Avila
    1. Jockey: Sonny Leon
    1. Weight: 119 lbs
  6. Spaliday
    1. Sire: More Than Ready
    1. Dam: Dayatthespa
    1. Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC
    1. Owner: Peter M. Brant
    1. Trainer: Chad C. Brown
    1. Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
    1. Weight: 123 lbs
  7. Gimme a Nother (SAF)
    1. Sire: Gimmethegreenlight (AUS)
    1. Dam: Nother Russia (SAF)
    1. Breeder: Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein
    1. Owner: Newstead Stables, LLC
    1. Trainer: H. Graham Motion
    1. Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
    1. Weight: 119 lbs
  8. Saffron Moon
    1. Sire: Malibu Moon
    1. Dam: Crocus Hill
    1. Breeder: Cove Springs Farm LLC
    1. Owner: CHP Racing
    1. Trainer: Chad C. Brown
    1. Jockey: Flavien Prat
    1. Weight: 119 lbs
  9. Eternal Silence
    1. Sire: War Front
    1. Dam: Princess Highway
    1. Breeder: Moyglare Stud Farm, Ltd.
    1. Owner: Moyglare Stud Farm, Ltd.
    1. Trainer: Christophe Clement
    1. Jockey: Joel Rosario
    1. Weight: 119 lbs
  10. Damaso
    1. Sire: Outwork
    1. Dam: Ms Dupree
    1. Breeder: Turnley Farms LA
    1. Owner: Perrine Time Thoroughbreds
    1. Trainer: Kathleen O’Connell
    1. Jockey: Daniel Centeno
    1. Weight: 119 lbs

Race Analysis

Saffron Moon enters the Hillsborough Stakes with a strong record, having posted the first black-type win of her career with a furious late rally in the Endeavour Stakes (G3T) at Tampa Bay Downs. Trained by Chad C. Brown, this mare has shown plenty of ability and will be a strong contender with Flavien Prat aboard.

Sparkle Blue, trained by H. Graham Motion, is the defending champion of the Hillsborough Stakes. This mare ran the performance of her career when defeating a top-class field in the 2024 Hillsborough. With Jorge Ruiz as her jockey, Sparkle Blue will be aiming to defend her title.

Venencia (FR), also trained by Chad C. Brown, finished third to her stablemate Saffron Moon in the Endeavour Stakes. With Tyler Gaffalione aboard, Venencia will be looking to improve on that performance.

Spaliday, another entry from Chad C. Brown, is the winner of the Sands Point Stakes (G2T) at Aqueduct Racetrack in her latest outing. With Jose L. Ortiz as her jockey, Spaliday will be a strong contender.

Gimme a Nother (SAF), trained by H. Graham Motion, is making her North American debut after capturing two straight group 1 wins in her native country. With Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard, Gimme a Nother will be an intriguing wildcard in the Hillsborough Stakes.

Avenue Niel (IRE), trained by Michael J. Trombetta, has shown promise with consistent performances. With Lanfranco Dettori as her jockey, she will be looking to make an impact in this race.

She’s Fire, trained by Kevin Rice, has been performing well in recent races. With Israel O. Rodriguez aboard, She’s Fire will be aiming for a strong finish.

Victoria’s Dancer, trained by Juan Carlos Avila, has shown potential with consistent performances. With Sonny Leon as her jockey, Victoria’s Dancer will be looking to make an impact in this race.

Eternal Silence, trained by Christophe Clement, has shown promise with consistent performances. With Joel Rosario aboard, Eternal Silence will be aiming for a strong finish.

Damaso, trained by Kathleen O’Connell, has been performing well in recent races. With Daniel Centeno as her jockey, Damaso will be looking to make an impact in this race.