There’s been no race postponements in Tampa. So, Saturday brings us the $250,000 dollar Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
The SFD is the first of two Kentucky Derby points races at the Gulf Coast track, with the second being the Tampa Bay Derby on March 7th.
Saturday’s contest will award 20-10-6-4-2 qualifying points to the top five finishers in the 1 1/16-mile Stakes and also serve as a prep for the Tampa Bay Derby.
Here is a brief look at the field for the 45th edition of the Sam F. Davis Stakes:
1. CONFESSIONAL [ML 2-1] Jockey: Flavien Prat. Trainer: Brad Cox. Last out was a 2nd-place finish in a Gulfstream Park Allowance race but that was to NEARLY, who, impressively, won the Holy Bull last weekend at Gulfstream. If he improves off of that race, he will be tough to beat here.
2. EPIC DESIRE [ML 15-1] Jockey: Samy Camacho. Trainer: Todd Pletcher. Just broke his Maiden here in his fifth try. The speed figure wasn’t impressive, hence the long odds.
3. THE PUMA [ML 6-1] Jockey: Javier Castellano. Trainer: Gustavo Delgado. Turned in a solid debut in a Gulfstream Maiden special weight race, posting a sharp speed figure. Could contend here. That said he is also entered in a Maiden race on the Gulfstream card Saturday.
4. GAME FOR IT [ML 20-1] Jockey: Luis Rivera Jr. Trainer: Chad Summers. Won on debut at Aqueduct Park December 10th despite stumbling at the start. Has been working nicely in Florida and could pick up some Derby points here.
5. OCELLI [ML 12-1] Jockey: Joseph D. Ramos. Trainer: Whit Beckman. Still a Maiden after three starts, though he did run 2nd and 3rd at this distance. Could be useful in bottom portion of exotics.
6. RENEGADE [ML 8-5] Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Trainer: Todd Pletcher. Ran a solid 2nd in the Remsen Stakes to a top Kentucky Derby candidate in PALADIN. His workouts have been sharp, and he looms a deserving favorite.
7. WAYNE’S LAW [ML 30-1] Jockey: Marcos Meneses. Trainer: Amador Sanchez. Coming in off a 3rd-place finish in a Delta Downs Stakes. Offering a LOT of value for a colt whose speed figures are competitive with much of the field.
8. MAX CAPACITY [ML 30-1] Jockey: Jevian Toledo. Trainer: Richard Sillaman. Tired after making a middle move in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes. There are no signs to indicate that he will appreciate this distance.
9. DR. KAPUR [ML 5-1] Jockey: Samuel Marin. Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr. Was disappointing in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes after two promising Maiden efforts. Working for a hot barn, he might be a factor off his best try.
The Sam F. Davis Stakes is the final race on a card of 11, with a scheduled Post Time of 5:30.
Best of luck however you play it.
