Carl and Yurie Pascarella’s BELGRADE made his Herringswell debut a winning one this afternoon at Tampa Bay Downs. Sent off as the heavy favorite at 1/5 in the 7-furlong optional allowance, he stumbled at the start and broke slowly. Keen down the backstretch, jockey Hector Diaz, Jr. took him back a bit before guiding him out to the 4-path around the turn and into the stretch. He ran down leaders Viva Victory and Morgan Point before getting to the wire a neck in front of the latter despite his troublesome trip.

The Pascarellas purchased the 3-year-old chestnut son of Hard Spun and the Eskendereya mare Miss Prytania for $700,000 at the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages sale from the consignment of Four Star Sales. Bred in Kentucky by J. R. Ward Stables LLC, Belgrade won his first and only previous start by an eye-catching six lengths at Fair Grounds on December 18 while trained by Brendan Walsh.

Congratulations to his new owners on the win by this very talented colt!