Major jump in class doesn’t deter Raise a Warrior

Congratulations are in order for veteran horseman Miguel Feliciano, who for decades has split his time between Tampa Bay Downs in the winter and Ohio in the summer. On March 30, Feliciano claimed Raise a Warrior for $8,000 out of a mile and one-sixteenth race at Tampa. Just 12 days later, he raised the son of Poseidon’s Warrior to $25,000, at the same time turning him back to seven furlongs. The 3-year-old colt bred by Joe and Helen Barbazon was more than up to the task after causing some problems prior to the start by breaking through the gate.

Down the backstretch, Jose Bracho kept Raise a Warrior close to the pace in the two-path, then the colt rallied on the outside to wear down the 4/5 pacesetter, edging away late to score his first career victory. The margin was 1 1/4 lengths and was worth $9,290 to Feliciano. Raise a Warrior became the ninth winner this year for his sire, who is rapidly approaching $500,000 in progeny earnings.