Robert S. Evans’ homebred PRINCESS BUTTERCUP looked to be having a grand time at Tampa Bay Downs this sunny afternoon, breaking her maiden in an 8 1/2 furlong contest on the turf.

Sent off as the favorite with Samuel Marin aboard, Princess Buttercup settled well behind the field in the race’s early stages. Approaching the quarter pole, she swung-three wide and began her move. She overtook her foes at the top of the stretch and cruised to an ever-widening margin, hitting the wire 9 1/4 lengths the best.

She was making her fourth career start and at her fourth racetrack. She debuted at Colonial Downs last August 31, ran at Belmont at the Big A on October 24 and then began her 2025 season at Gulfstream on January 9. Tampa certainly suited her today!

Now 4, Princess Buttercup is a Kentucky-bred daughter of Kitten’s Joy out of Bengala (FR), by Pivotal (GB). Congratulations to Mr. Evans on his filly’s first win!