2019 Sam F. Davis Study Guide

Feb 07, 2019 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

A field of 10 sophomores will travel 1 1/16 miles at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday in the $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3). The event is one of two Road to the Kentucky Derby races to be held at Tampa Bay this spring, with the top four finishers earning points on a 10-4-2-1 basis in this competitive spot.

Here is the field:

Counter Offer Career Racing Stats

6 Starts
1 Wins
1 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $54,689

Top BRIS Speed rating (87) in allowance second

Owner: Six Column Stables LLC
Breeder: Elm Tree Farm LLC and Angel Diaz Tapia (KY)
Trainer: Ian Wilkes
Jockey: Antonio Gallardo

Sire: Tapizar
Dam: Donate
Color: Gray/Roan

The Kentucky-bred was a sharp allowance second on this oval most recently and draws inside for this one. The $80,000 yearling purchase must improve in his stakes bow but is not out of the question for a top-three placing. The gray colt will be running from off the pace.

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Going for Gold Career Racing Stats

2 Starts
0 Wins
2 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $16,800

Top BRIS Speed rating (87) for second in maiden debut

Owner: Ron Paolucci Racing LLC
Breeder: Machmer Hall and Craig & Carrie Brogden (KY)
Trainer: Robert Hess Jr.
Jockey: Jose Bracho

Sire: Atreides
Dam: Smart Indeed
Color: Dark Bay

This speedy maiden has missed by a nose and a neck from a pair of career sprint races to date. The gelding adds blinkers on the barn change, though he hooks a useful field in his stakes and route debut. The Kentucky-bred will be sent early to try and lead the way from the opening bell.

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Knicks Go Career Racing Stats

6 Starts
2 Wins
1 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $672,515

Top BRIS Speed rating (100) in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Stakes (G1) second

Owner: KRA Stud Farm
Breeder: Angie Moore (MD)
Trainer: Ben Colebrook
Jockey: Albin Jimenez

Sire: Paynter
Dam: Kosmo’s Buddy
Color: Gray/Roan

The class of the field, this gray colt makes his seasonal debut in a very moderate spot. The Breeders’ Futurity (G1) star, who was a brave second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), faded in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs last out, but has trained well on this strip in the interim. The Maryland-bred will be on or forcing the pace as the clear one to beat.

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Cave Run Career Racing Stats

2 Starts
1 Wins
0 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $19,750

Top BRIS Speed rating (98) in maiden debut score

Owner: Godolphin LLC
Breeder: Godolphin (KY)
Trainer: Eoin Harty
Jockey: Jesus Castanon

Sire: Street Sense
Dam: Sugarcraft
Color: Bay

The Pasco Stakes third ran into a buzzsaw in his second lifetime outing. This interesting prospect was a huge winner on debut at Tampa Bay and is bred for two turns. The colt will be stalking the pace early and he wouldn’t be a huge surprise in this assignment.

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Moonster Career Racing Stats

6 Starts
1 Wins
0 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $41,749

Top BRIS Speed rating (84) in maiden victory

Owner: Calumet Farm
Breeder: Mark Stansell (KY)
Trainer: Dale Romans
Jockey: Samy Camacho

Sire: Malibu Moon
Dam: Mema
Color: Bay

This longshot has done little since a maiden victory in September. The three-year-old colt has some early foot, but he will need a major step forward to challenge in his second graded attempt.

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Kentucky Wildcat Career Racing Stats

3 Starts
1 Wins
0 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $48,138

Top BRIS Speed rating (93) for third in maiden race

Owner: Godolphin LLC
Breeder: Godolphin (KY)
Trainer: Tom Albertrani
Jockey: Joe Bravo

Sire: Tapit
Dam: Better Lucky
Color: Chestnut

The well-bred sophomore broke his maiden over a next-out graduate at Aqueduct in early December. This Godolphin homebred has shown vast improvement since stretching out following his debut. The chestnut colt intrigues at a probable square price. 

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Five Star General Career Racing Stats

3 Starts
2 Wins
0 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $78,050

Top BRIS Speed rating (88) in maiden triumph

Owner: WinStar Farm LLC and China Horse Club International
Breeder: WinStar Farm LLC (KY)
Trainer: Arnaud Delacour
Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Sire: Distorted Humor
Dam: Party of Interest
Color: Bay

The bay colt capped his juvenile campaign with two straight victories, including a stakes win at Aqueduct last out. The sophomore prospect has fine gate presence combined with a fine string of morning drills on the Tampa Bay Downs main surface. Jose Ortiz, who piloted the colt most recently, comes in to ride in a positive move.

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So Alive Career Racing Stats

3 Starts
2 Wins
0 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $52,569

Top BRIS Speed rating (89) in allowance/optional claiming tally

Owner: Robert V. LaPenta
Breeder: John D. Gunther (KY)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Javier Castellano

Sire: Super Saver
Dam: Mythical Bride
Color: Bay

This $160,000 yearling re-rallied in a first try with blinkers in a local allowance/optional claiming victory in preparation for this contest. The half-brother to 2018 Wood Memorial (G2) victor Vino Rosso scorched a bullet half-mile at Palm Beach Downs on February 3 to ready for this, his stakes bow. Getting Javier Castellano to ride is a major coup, as well.

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Well Defined Career Racing Stats

6 Starts
2 Wins
1 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $320,570

Top BRIS Speed rating (103) for winning In Reality division of Florida Sire Stakes

Owner: Stonehedge LLC
Breeder: Stonehedge LLC (FL)
Trainer: Kathleen O’Connell 
Jockey: Pablo Morales

Sire: With Distinction
Dam: Fru Fru
Color: Dark Bay

The accomplished Florida-bred was a non-factor in his last pair and needs a form reversal to be a win contender in this offering. The stakes hero adds blinkers and would be a prime player with something resembling his juvenile form. The gelding will be forwardly placed as the possible pacesetter in the field.

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Still Dreaming Career Racing Stats

2 Starts
1 Wins
0 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $25,200

Top BRIS Speed rating (88) in maiden score

Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds and Chris Larse
Breeder: Hinkle Farms (KY)
Trainer: Graham Motion
Jockey: Jorge Vargas Jr.

Sire: Flatter
Dam: Seeking Gabrielle
Color: Chestnut

This Kentucky-bred colt graduated in smart fashion at Laurel Park most recently for trainer Graham Motion. The three-year-old earned a whopping 106 BRIS Late Pace number in his route debut. The $460,000 yearling purchase will need improvement while taking a hefty class hike in this endeavor.