Three takeaways from 2024 Sam F. Davis

Feb 13, 2024 James Scully/TwinSpires.com

The first of two Kentucky Derby qualifiers at Tampa Bay Downs, the Sam F. Davis (G3) on Feb. 11 offered points on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis toward a berth in the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 4. The Road to the Kentucky Derby series will return for the 1 1/16-mile Tampa Bay Derby (G2) on March 9.

Here are three takeaways from the Davis.

No More Time carries speed, favorable trip to initial stakes win

A convincing maiden winner the second time out last fall, No More Time missed the break and finished fifth when trying stakes competition in the Jan. 1 Mucho Macho Man S. next out. He rebounded in the 1 1/16-mile Davis, leading at every point of call in recording a 1 1/4-length decision.

Paco Lopez picked up the mount on the frontrunning colt for Jose D’Angleo, and No More Time was bet down to 3-1 favoritism from 10-1 on the morning line. The Iowa-bred son of Not This Time cost $40,000 as a yearling.

It was a favorable trip. No More Time showed the way on a short lead, with Change of Command and West Saratoga closely tracking in second and third, and both rivals were retreating by the top of the stretch. Change of Command gave way badly rounding the far turn, and West Saratoga began to check out while straightening for home.

That left a sizable cushion for No More Time, who held despite tiring late. Agate Road ran well for second, but he left himself too much to do from the back of the field. Sixth nearing the completion of the far turn, Agate Road was gaining on the winner in deep stretch but ran out of room.

Points/Speed rating watch for final prep

No More Time, who was making his first start at two turns and a Kentucky Derby qualifier, likely will need to earn more points to qualify for the Kentucky Derby, and D’Angelo said he would prefer to run his charge only once more over the 12-week interim to the first Saturday in May.

That leaves No More Time with little margin for error, and the three-year-old probably won’t receive the same cushy trip next time. The Tampa Bay Derby and March 30 Florida Derby (G1) are options.

He will have to run faster next time, generating only a 93 Brisnet Speed rating for the Davis win.

Quality of competition

The Davis has never produced a Kentucky Derby winner, Bluegrass Cat’s runner-up finish in 2006 the best result by an alumnus, and this year’s field attracted 12 runners after Grade 1 winner and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) third-placer Locked was removed from consideration due to a fever.

No More Time has more to prove, and it won’t be a surprise if the 2024 Davis fails to have any impact upon the Kentucky Derby.

Locked’s stablemate, Agate Road, was scratched from last weekend’s Kitten’s Joy (G3) on turf for the Davis and while the Grade 2 turf winner ran well to be a clear second, his future is likely on turf. West Saratoga, who was off at 31-1, held third after weakening late and probably wants no part of longer distances. Change of Command, the 4-1 second choice in his stakes debut after recording maiden and entry-level allowance wins at Gulfstream, may need time off after retreating badly to 11th.