Classic Causeway tops dozen in Tampa Bay Derby

Mar 09, 2022 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Classic Causeway, an impressive track-and-distance winner of the Sam F. Davis (G3) last month, will attempt to achieve an increasingly rare double on
Saturday by also winning the $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G2) at Tampa Bay Downs.

The 1 1/16-mile Tampa Bay Derby, a Road to the Kentucky Derby series prep,
offers qualifying points of 50-20-10-5 to the respective top four finishers.

Classic Causeway dominated the Sam F. Davis by 3 3/4 lengths as an 8-5
favorite. It was the Giant's Causeway colt's first stakes win after placing as
the public choice in both the Breeders' Futurity (G1) and Kentucky Jockey Club
(G2) last fall.

'We've been fortunate to not miss a beat with him,' trainer Brian Lynch said.
'He has had two strong workouts (since the Sam F. Davis), and he is on schedule
to go back to a track he really liked.'

Winning both races has proven difficult in the past couple of decades. Since
2002, only Destin (2016) has won both the Sam F. Davis and Tampa Bay Derby.

Shipsational, second best in the Sam F. Davis after winning two New
York-bred stakes last fall, is back for the rematch. Also returning from the
Davis are also-rans Strike Hard, Golden Glider, and Trademark.

Trainer Todd Pletcher, who has won the Tampa Bay Derby a record five times
and has had a horse finish in the top four every year since 2006, saddles
Major General. The Constitution colt won the first Derby points-scoring race, the Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs on Sept. 18, by a neck when last
seen. The Tampa Bay Derby has been won the last four years by horses making
their season debuts.

Others of note in the field of 12 are Money Supply, who won debut
going six furlongs on the Sam F. Davis undercard for trainer Chad Brown, and
Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) third Giant Game, who finished up the track
in the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream last month.

Unfortunately for fans on track, the advance weather forecast calls for a 100
percent chance of rain on Saturday. Post time for the Tampa Bay Derby is 5:23
p.m. ET. It can be watched and wagered on at
TwinSpires.com.