The $150,000 Pasco S. at Tampa Bay Downs is a seven-furlong dirt sprint for three-year-olds that has produced Kentucky Derby starters in the past. The 2025 Pasco field includes promising names like established Road to the Kentucky Derby competitor Owen Almighty, trained by Brian Lynch, who has shown strong performances in previous races.
Owen Almighty started his career impressively, winning races at Churchill Downs and Ellis Park before finishing second in the Iroquois (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. After a break due to a gastrointestinal infection, Owen Almighty has returned to training and posted solid workouts in preparation for the Pasco. Trainer Brian Lynch has a 23% win rate with horses returning from layoffs of 90 days or more.
Rookie Card, another contender in the Pasco, has shown potential by finishing ahead of stakes-caliber rivals in previous races. With strong Beyer Speed Figures and Brisnet Speed ratings, Rookie Card’s early speed may give him a tactical advantage in the race. The author predicts Rookie Card to win the Pasco, with Owen Almighty finishing second and Naughty Rascal in third. Additionally, the author recommends backing Cease Fire in Race 3, a maiden special weight for three-year-old fillies, based on trainer Christophe Clement’s success with first-time starters in dirt sprints at Tampa Bay Downs.
