Alabama Slammer Dead-Heats for 2nd Victory

It was an odd race turned in by Alabama Slammer at Tampa Bay Downs yesterday, and in the end, the 3-year-old gelding wound up in a dead heat for the victory, giving Handsome Mike his 10th winner of 2021, and pushing his seasonal earnings past $307,000. The son of Scat Daddy recently went over the $3 million mark lifetime, but is already approaching $3.1 million.

Alabama Slammer broke on top with Alonso Quinonez and opened up by two lengths in the 7-furlong race, but was quickly joined by three rivals as they hit the quarter in :22.20. He raced on the inside head-and-head for the lead into the turn, then lost it approaching the stretch. But Quinonez used the rail smartly and suddenly the gelding was in front again and drawing off.

Midway down the stretch, Light Us Up came flying down the outside and closed the gap, and the two hit the wire together in 1:24.48, with the judges unable to separate them. Alabama Slammer’s share of the purse was $14,153, and he’s now 2-1-0 in four starts with earnings of $33,130.