OLDSMAR - Morning rain and chilly winds did little to diminish the enthusiasm of bettors seeking a pot of gold at the end of Sunday’s late Pick 5, which started with a carryover pool of $80,016 because no one selected the winners of Saturday’s final five races.

    By post time for the fifth race – at almost the exact time the sun peeked through the clouds for one of the few times – an additional $664,026 had been funneled into the 50-cent late Pick 5, creating a mammoth pool of $744,042.

    With one betting favorite and four second choices winning the late Pick 5 events, plenty of winners (1,165, to be exact) cashed in on the 1-6-8-4-5 combination, each winning ticket worth $552.75.

    Leading jockey Samuel Marin enjoyed another big day, riding four winners on the nine-race card. Marin also won four races Wednesday and has 49 for the meet. He was aboard 3-year-old Florida-bred gelding Net Profit in the fourth race for owner Karen S. Nielsen and trainer Jon Arnett. Marin added the sixth on Twilight Dancer, a 5-year-old gelding owned and trained by Juan Arriagada.

    Marin came right back to win the seventh on the turf on Navigation, who was making his first career start. Navigation is owned by Stone Farm, Madaket Stables, Oakwood Stables and Paul Braverman and trained by Miguel Clement. Marin made it three in a row and four overall in the eighth, piloting 4-year-old Florida-bred filly Long Gone Sally to victory for owner Tom Abrahamson and trainer Lynn Rarick.

    The victory was the fourth in a row at the meet for Long Gone Sally, who was claimed by Rarick after her second victory here for $8,000.

    Nine-time leading trainer Gerald Bennett swept the early daily double. Bennett won the first race with 3-year-old Florida-bred filly Duchess Eleanor, who is owned by his Winning Stables, and Todd R. Bittiger. Jose Batista was the jockey.

    Bennett captured the second with 5-year-old Florida-bred mare Three Run Bolt, owned by Averill Racing and Jayson R. Werth and ridden by Samy Camacho. Three Run Bolt was claimed from the race for $6,250 by new owner-trainer Jose Antonio Vargas.

    Camacho also won the fifth race on the turf on Fitz Right, a 3-year-old filly owned by Michael Dubb, William H. Lawrence, The Elkstone Group (Stuart Grant) and Michael E. Kisber and trained by Chad Brown. Camacho made it three on the day in the ninth, prevailing on Cupid’s dude for owner Amazing Luxury Miami and leading trainer Juan Carlos Avila.

    Saturday is the track’s annual “Cap Giveaway Day.” All patrons will receive the centennial black cap with gold lettering against the Tampa Bay Downs 100 logo with their paid admission, while supplies last. Encircling the logo are the words “100 Years of Thoroughbred Racing,” and directly below, the years “1926-2026.”

    Tampa Bay Downs jockeys will be on hand to sign the caps for fans wanting autographs. The gates will open at 11 a.m.

    “Cap Giveaway Day” kicks off a fun-filled weekend that will also be highlighted by the first “Mouse’s Kids & Family Days” celebration on Sunday, Jan. 25. Fans of all ages get to meet track mascot Mouse the Miniature Horse, while youngsters can choose between bounce houses, pony rides and a variety of games and special activities. Buzzy’s Food Truck will also be on the scene.