Poster returns in Sam F. Davis; Suncoast attracts Oaks prospects

Feb 06, 2025 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Poster trots past the grandstand after capturing the Remsen

Poster extended his record to 3-for-3 in the Remsen (Photo by Angelo Lieto/Coglianese Photos)

Godolphin’s unbeaten Poster kicks off his sophomore campaign against several race-fit rivals in Saturday’s $250,000 Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs. Stakes veterans Owen Almighty and Naughty Rascal, along with up-and-comers Treaty of Rome and John Hancock, promise to make it a proper test for the returning Poster.

The 1 1/16-mile Davis, which serves as the main local prep for the March 8 Tampa Bay Derby (G3), offers points toward the Kentucky Derby (G1) on the 20-10-6-4-2 format to the top five finishers.

Saturday’s companion race on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, the $150,000 Suncoast S., is worth the same points structure for the fillies. Top contenders include La Cara, last seen finishing fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1); Her Laugh; Italian Soiree; and Dancing Magic.

Sam F. Davis S.

Poster, who won his first two starts on turf, successfully switched to dirt in the Dec. 7 Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct. The Eoin Harty trainee just lasted by a nose, though, from the fast-finishing Aviator Gui, and his time was slower than the filly Muhimma in the Demoiselle (G2). Poster was reportedly idling down the stretch that day, but he will have to stay focused here. He’s also had his training interrupted by adverse winter weather at Turfway Park last month, although the Munnings colt did fire a bullet in his Feb. 2 work at Tampa.

Four of his opponents have the benefit of a race over the track. Owen Almighty was first across the wire in the seven-furlong Pasco S., only to be disqualified for interference and placed fifth. Naughty Rascal was awarded the victory, and Very Bold, a stablemate of Poster’s from the Harty barn, was elevated to second.

If not for his infraction, Owen Almighty would have been a decisive winner. He’s eligible to move forward in this second start off a layoff with blinkers added. In his juvenile finale on Sept. 14, the Brian Lynch pupil was runner-up in the Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs, the first scoring race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

John Hancock, a well-named son of Constitution and Scribbling Sarah, looked sharp when wiring his six-furlong debut at Tampa on Jan. 8. Trained by Brad Cox, the half-brother to 2020 Ashland (G1) star Speech should enjoy the stretch-out to two turns. Note that record-setting jockey Flavien Prat, who rode Poster last time, jumps to John Hancock.

Chad Brown sends the promising Treaty of Rome, who missed by just a neck in the Jan. 4 Mucho Macho Man S. at Gulfstream Park. A homebred for the Coolmore partners, the Uncle Mo colt is a full brother to Grade 3 vixen and multiple Grade 1-placed Donna Veloce.

Camp Hale is still a maiden, but he’s been playing second fiddle in three salty races, most recently chasing Grande at Gulfstream. Like Holy Bull (G3) hero Burnham Square, Camp Hale is a Whitham Thoroughbreds homebred trained by Ian Wilkes.

Doug O’Neill’s Dr Ruben M was last seen placing fourth in the Remington Springboard Mile to Coal Battle and Speed King, who both came back to win scoring races at Oaklawn Park. Smoken Boy romped in his past two at Camarero in Puerto Rico, earning his way to join Jose D’Angelo in Florida. Rounding out the field is longshot maiden Gateskeeper.

Suncoast S.

La Cara prevailed in the first Oaks points race, the Sept. 14 Pocahontas (G3) at Churchill, but she never threatened from off the pace in the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar. The daughter of 2007 Kentucky Derby champion Street Sense has a right to rebound at Tampa for Mark Casse and new rider Dylan Davis.

Her Laugh, the other scoring race winner in the field, wired the Dec. 21 Untapable S. at Fair Grounds. Now 2-for-2, the Whit Beckman filly picks up Irad Ortiz Jr.

Italian Soiree is intriguing as she employs the turf-to-dirt angle while adding blinkers in her comeback. A distant second in the Adirondack (G3) at Saratoga in her last start on the main track, the John Terranova II trainee has since wound up fourth in the Natalma (G1) and fifth in the Jessamine (G2) last fall. Prat, who rode her at the beginning of her career on dirt, regains the mount.

Also changing surfaces are Deloraine, Poster’s stablemate who romped on the Tampa turf in her latest, and Cloe, a maiden winner over the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park. Dancing Magic captured the local prep, the Jan. 11 Gasparilla S., while Junta and Queen in the Deck graduated in maidens on this track.

The mile and 40-yard Suncoast is slated as the ninth race with a post time of 4:14 p.m. ET, followed two races later by the Sam F. Davis (11th race at 5:14 p.m.), and you can watch and wager at TwinSpires.com.

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