Switch to Belterra works wonders for Indy Princess Koko

Indy Princess Koko raced in the colors of her breeder, Jeannine Strauss McGinn, for her first four races at Tampa Bay Downs with only a lone third to show for her efforts. Now in the barn of a new owner, the 4-year-old filly by Amira’s Prince broke her maiden in style yesterday in her second start for Andy Vasquez at Belterra Park; she had finished third in her first start in Ohio.

Sonny Leon handled the filly to perfection, getting her off second in the five-furlong race, stalking the leader down the backstretch, then letting her roll at the eighth pole. After fractions of :22.92 and :47.47, Indy Princess Koko left the field behind and won by seven widening lengths, with Leon hand riding for the final sixteenth.

Indy Princess Koko was clocked in 1:00.37, paid $6.80 as second choice, and earned a check for $4,920. She became the third winner this year for Amira’s Prince.