‘The Bat’ hits a home run at Tampa Bay Downs

Die Fledermaus, translated as ‘The Bat,’ is an operetta composed many years ago by Johann Strauss. Fledermaus, the 5-year-old gelding, is a son of Treasure Beach who flitted around the course like a bat for a wire-to-wire score in a 1 1/16-mile race at Tampa Bay Downs yesterday.

With Jose Ferrer aboard, Fledermaus was sent right to the lead, fought off several challenges along the way, including putting away favored Cpl. Dionicio at the top of the stretch, and continued on to a one half-length victory, paying $15.40. With his second visit to the winner’s circle in 2020, the gelding owned and bred by Glen View Oaks raised his record to 3-5-4 in 31 starts, and the $6,180 winner’s check increased his earnings to $50,206.

At Camarero Race Track in Puerto Rico, Treasure Beach picked up his 14th winner of the year when Run Black Run romped going six furlongs at odds of 6/5. With Carlos Marquez Jr. aboard, the 3-year-old colt went wire-to-wire, winning by six lengths. He’s 2-2-2 in his last six starts.