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OLDSMAR, Fla. -- Heavy favorite Sun King pulled away in the stretch and won the $250,000 Tampa Bay Derby on Saturday, solidifying his status as one of the top Kentucky Derby contenders. Trained by Nick Zito, Sun King improved to 2-for-2 this year by seizing control of the 1 1-16th-mile race right from the start. The 3-year-old son of 1999 Derby winner Charismatic set a moderate pace through six furlongs before being challenged by Medigating on the inside and Forever Wild at the top of the stretch. With Edgar Prado urging on Sun King, the colt responded with a flourish, shaking free and pulling away to win by 3 1/4 lengths. The winning time was 1.43.98, just off the track record of 1:43.40. "I was a little surprised when he went right to the front, but he's a versatile horse so I wasn't that worried,'' Zito said. "This is a good safe track and it should set things up well for the Blue Grass. I ran The Cliff's Edge here last year and then went up and won the Blue Grass. So we hope history repeats itself. You don't want to do too much too soon, no matter where you're racing.'' The Blue Grass at Keeneland is April 16, with the Derby on May 7. Forever Wild was second, followed by Global Trader, Medigating, Criminal Mind, Coyoteshighestcall and Nicandro. Sun King went off as the 1-20 favorite and returned $2.10, $2.10 and $2.10. With the victory, Sun King earned $150,000 to boost his earnings to $414,650 for owner Tracy Farmer.
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