Tampa Bay Downs hosts its first Kentucky Derby points race Saturday with the1 1/16-mile Sam F. Davis Stakes.
A springboard to the March 8th Tampa Bay Derby, the Sam F. Davis is also a solid first step toward a starting spot in the May 3rd Run For The Roses as it awards 20-10-6-4-2 qualifying points to the top 5 finishers.
Here’s a brief look at the field:
1. CAMP HALE [ML 20-1] Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. Trainer: Ian Wilkes. Ran 2nd in all three career starts. It’s rare for a Maiden to Win a Stakes, but it’s more apt to happen at an early age.
2. TREATY OF ROME [ML 6-1] Jockey: Dylan Davis. Trainer: Chad Brown. Closed nicely for 2nd in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes, missing by a neck. Looks to be getting better with each start and should be a top contender.
3. JOHN HANCOCK [ML 3-1] Jockey: Flavien Prat. Trainer: Brad Cox. Was a sharp debut Winner over this track, which is always helpful. Stretches from 6 ½ furlongs to 1 1/16 miles but has the pedigree for it. Deserves strong consideration.
4. DR RUBEN [ML 12-1] Jockey: Junior Alvarado. Trainer: Doug O’Neill. Dropped anchor and finished fourth in the Remington Springboard Mile after pressing the pace. Know him early, may not like this distance.
5. GATEKEEPER [ML 30-1] Jockey: David Cohen. Trainer: S. Jade Cunningham. Another Maiden after two tries. Has a 2nd and a 3rd but seems the slower of the two Maidens entered here.
6. OWEN ALMIGHTY [ML 2-1] Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Trainer: Brian Lynch. Crossed the finish line first in the Pasco Stakes here but was (rightfully) disqualified and set back to 5th for interference. He set a fast pace in the seven-furlong Pasco and may appreciate the softer fractions in this contest.
7. POSTER [ML 4-1] Jockey: Antonio Gallardo. Trainer: Eoin Harty. Won his dirt debut while staying unbeaten by Winning the Remsen Stakes- which has become a key race for 2-year-olds. Has a bullet workout on this track and seems set for a sharp try here.
8. NAUGHTY RASCAL [ML 6-1] Jockey: Edwin Gonzalez. Trainer: Gerald Bennett. He was declared the Winner of the Pasco after Irad and his mount got disqualified. Has never been worse than 3rd in six starts, but the distance might be a smidge too long for him.
9. SMOKEN BOY [ML 20-1] Jockey: Paco Lopez. Trainer: Jose D’Angelo. Makes his United States debut after racing in Puerto Rico. Won a stakes there by 9 ¼ lengths last out, but it’s a tough call on what he’ll do here.
10. VERY BOLD [ML 20-1] Jockey: Jesus Castanon. Trainer: Eoin Harty. Got moved up to 2nd in the Pasco, but was 5 1/2 lengths behind OWEN ALMIGHTY in the original finish. Added distance will help him, but the post position won’t.
The Sam F. Davis Stakes is slated as race 11 on a card of 12 with a scheduled Post Time of 5:15. Best of luck however you play it.
