Sunset Beach sends Treasure Beach Over $300,000

Sunset Beach broke his maiden at Tampa Bay Downs yesterday in his fifth career start, putting away favorite Candy King with a powerful stretch run under veteran Antonio Gallardo. The 3-year-old Treasure Beach gelding was away third in the mile and one-eighth race, and sat a perfect trip starting down the backstretch. But the two pacesetters left room on the rail, and Gallardo took advantage midway down the backstretch.

Sunset Beach slipped through the opening and found himself nose-to-nose with Candy King on the lead, and they remained glued to each other until the eighth pole, when Sunset Beach drew off with authority to score by 4 1/4 lengths. He became winner No. 10 for his sire this year and collected a check of $8,090 for owner/breeder Ballybrit Stable, as Treasure Beach’s earnings jumped over the $300,000 mark.