Storm Predictions Scores Upset Win, Mercedes Won 3rd in Tampa Bay Derby

Storm Predictions tied a track record Sunday while holding on for an upset victory in the Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs.

Storm Predictions took the lead turning for home and withstood a late charge by With Approval to score a 1 3/4-furlong win in 1:43 4/5 for the 1 1/16-mile track.

“The key today was getting him to relax early,” said winning jockey Steven Gaffalione. “The race couldn’t have set up any better if they had written a book for us. When I asked him at the half-mile pole, he just took off.”

Mercedes Won, the favorite, finished third after taking the lead around the far turn.

“I can’t make any real excuses for him,” jockey Earlie Fires said. “We had to move a little faster than I wanted to leaving the back stretch. . . . But he came up empty in the lane and had nothing left.”

Storm Predictions paid $19.00, $6.60 and $3.20. With Approval paid $8.20 and $4, and Mercedes Won paid $2.60.