Memory Bank wins at Tampa Bay Downs in Allowance Company!

01/05/18 | Tampa, FL – Dare To Dream Stable’s 4 year old gelding, Memory Bank, gutted out a hard fought allowance win on the turf at Tampa Bay Downs on a sunny Friday afternoon in Oldsmar, Florida.  Memory Bank was coming into this race off three consecutive 2nd place finishes, all in tough allowance conditions.  On this day, the handsome chestnut Illinois bred son of Misremembered, who looked like the one to beat on paper in this 1 1/16 mile turf event, would finally get the trip needed to take home the winning purse money.  Breaking from an outside post, which has been the unlucky norm for Memory Bank, Jockey Brian Pedroza hustled the chestnut out of the gate to try and secure a comfortable stalking position without getting hung out too wide.  Pedroza had Memory Bank in 5th about 5 lengths off the pace but only 2-3 wide after the opening 1/4 mile.  As they moved down the backside, the expected pacesetter and second betting choice Trismen looked to be traveling comfortably while holding a 1-2 length lead.  After six furlongs, Memory Bank was still about 5 lengths off the lead and it looked like Pedroza was going to have a lot of work to do to catch Trismen who was still traveling easy on the lead as he looked or his 3rd win in a row on the grass.  When they approached the 2nd turn, Memory Bank was being asked for his run by Pedroza. He responded and started closing the gap on the leader while passing the other few runners who were part of the early pace scenario.  Memory Bank was 3 lengths behind and still had a lot of work to do to reel in the leader Trismen as they completed the bend and straightened for home.  Pedroza vigorously asked Memory Bank for all he had and the gutsy gelding gave it to him, making up ground with every stride.  Even with Memory Bank working hard, it was beginning to look like the finish line might come too quickly as Trismen was proving to be a very worthy adversary.  Memory Bank would not give up without a fight and with a last desperate burst in the closing yards he was able to stick his nose in front right as they crossed the wire to earn the victory!

Memory Bank now has 2 wins, 4 seconds, and a third in 9 career starts with earnings of $62,447.  In his 9 starts, the consistent chestnut gelding has crossed the wire in the top 3 in 8 of those contests as he was unjustly D’qd from another 2nd place finish at Gulfstream Park West 2 starts back. Congratulations to all the Dare To Dream Stable partners who are really enjoying the ride with Memory Bank. Thanks to a great job by trainer Michael Stidham, Hilary Pridham, Ben Trask, and the entire team for keeping Memory Bank in great form and looking fabulous as well!  Finally kudos to Jockey Brian Pedroza who worked his tail off getting Memory Bank to the wire in time, and is winning at close to a 50% clip riding Stidham horses at the meet.

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