Panadero breaks his maiden on Tampa Bay Downs’ turf

It took Panadero four tries at Gulfstream Park to figure it out, but after a pair of fourths in his last two races down south, he put it all together on yesterday’s opening program at Tampa Bay Downs.

The 2-year-old gelding by Handsome Mike enjoyed a dream trip in the race at one mile over the dream turf course in Oldsmar, with Samy Camacho breaking him on top from the No. 3 post, then settling back to a stalking third on the inside. On the final turn, Camacho moved off the rail, sent Panadero between horses into the stretch and Panadero coasted to the lead, holding off one rival late to score by half a length in 1:39.41.

Panadero became Handsome Mike’s 26th winner of 2021, paying $10.60 and earning a check for $8,610. He was a $9,000 OBS 2-year-old for breeder Tom McCrocklin in March.