Sam F. Davis (GIII)

Tampa Bay Downs • Tampa, FL, USA 20-10-6-4-2
February 8, 2025

No More Time wins the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs

Sam F. Davis Stakes Race History 

Inaugurated in 1981, the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs needed more than 20 years to earn its place as a meaningful Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race. But since achieving a six-figure purse in 2004, the Sam F. Davis has steadily risen in prominence while producing a string of high-profile runners.

Contested over 1 1⁄16 miles and serving as a local prep for the Tampa Bay Derby (G3), the Sam F. Davis produced just three Derby starters during its first two decades of existence, not surprising since the purse hovered around $25,000 during the 1990s. But steady purse increases during the mid-2000s attracted higher-quality participants. 2005 winner Andromeda’s Hero went on to finish second in the Belmont S. (G1), 2006 winner Bluegrass Cat nabbed a runner-up effort in the Kentucky Derby (G1), and 2007 winner Any Given Saturday claimed the Haskell Invitational (G1).

This string of quality winners prompted the Sam F. Davis to receive Grade 3 status in 2009, further raising its national profile. Future Blue Grass (G1) and Turf Classic (G1) winner General Quarters was the first to win the newly-upgraded race, and during the 2010s, 10 horses used the Sam F. Davis as a springboard to the Kentucky Derby. Among the best were Tapwrit (runner-up in 2017) and Destin (victorious in 2016), who went on to finish first and second in the Belmont S., respectively.

The purse of the Sam F. Davis climbed to $250,000 in 2012, and in 2017 the race was added to the Road to the Kentucky Derby schedule. It now offers 20 qualification points to the winner.

By J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

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Road to the Kentucky Derby

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI)

November 1, 2024

Del Mar • Del Mar, CA, USA

Points: 30-15-9-6-3

Cattleya

November 23, 2024

Tokyo Racecourse • Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan

Points: 10-5-3-2-1

Kentucky Jockey Club (GII)

November 30, 2024

Churchill Downs • Louisville, KY, USA

Points: 10-5-3-2-1

Remsen

December 7, 2024

Aqueduct • New York, NY, USA

Points: 10-5-3-2-1

Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun

December 11, 2024

Kawasaki • Kawasaki, Japan

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Remington Springboard Mile

December 13, 2024

Remington Park • Oklahoma City, OK, USA

Points: 10-5-3-2-1

Los Alamitos Futurity (GII)

December 14, 2024

Los Alamitos • Cypress, CA, USA

Points: 10-5-3-2-1

Gun Runner

December 21, 2024

Fair Grounds • New Orleans, LA, USA

Points: 10-5-3-2-1

Jerome

January 4, 2025

Aqueduct • New York, NY, USA

Points: 10-5-3-2-1

Smarty Jones

January 4, 2025

Oaklawn Park • Hot Springs, AR, USA

Points: 10-5-3-2-1

Lecomte (GIII)

January 18, 2025

Fair Grounds • New Orleans, LA, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Southwest (GIII)

January 25, 2025

Oaklawn Park • Hot Springs, AR, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Withers (GIII)

February 1, 2025

Aqueduct • New York, NY, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Robert B. Lewis (GIII)

February 1, 2025

Santa Anita Park • Arcadia, CA, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Holy Bull (GIII)

February 1, 2025

Gulfstream Park • Hallandale Beach, FL, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Sam F. Davis (GIII)

February 8, 2025

Tampa Bay Downs • Tampa, FL, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Risen Star (GII)

February 15, 2025

Fair Grounds • New Orleans, LA, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Hyacinth

February 16, 2025

Tokyo Racecourse • Tokyo, Japan

Points: 30-15-9-6-3

Sunland Derby (GIII)

February 16, 2025

Sunland Park • Sunland Park, NM, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

John Battaglia Memorial

February 22, 2025

Turfway Park • Florence, KY, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Rebel (GII)

February 22, 2025

Oaklawn Park • Hot Springs, AR, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition Stakes

February 26, 2025

Kempton • Sunbury-on-Thames, England, UK

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Patton

February 28, 2025

Dundalk • Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Fountain of Youth (GII)

March 1, 2025

Gulfstream Park • Hallandale Beach, FL, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

San Felipe (GII)

March 1, 2025

Santa Anita • Arcadia, CA, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Gotham (GIII)

March 1, 2025

Aqueduct • New York, NY, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Tampa Bay Derby (GII)

March 8, 2025

Tampa Bay Downs • Tampa, FL, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Virginia Derby

March 15, 2025

Colonial Downs • New Kent, VA, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Fukuryu

March 22, 2025

Nakayama • Funabashi, Chiba, Japan

Points: 40-20-12-8-4

Louisiana Derby (GII)

March 22, 2025

Fair Grounds • New Orleans, LA, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII)

March 22, 2025

Turfway Park • Florence, KY, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Arkansas Derby (GI)

March 29, 2025

Oaklawn Park • Hot Springs, AR, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Florida Derby (GI)

March 29, 2025

Gulfstream Park • Hallandale Beach, FL, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

UAE Derby (GII)

April 5, 2025

Meydan Racecourse • Dubai, UAE

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Santa Anita Derby (GI)

April 5, 2025

Santa Anita Park • Arcadia, CA, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Blue Grass (GI)

April 5, 2025

Keeneland • Lexington, KY, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Wood Memorial (GII)

April 5, 2025

Aqueduct • New York, NY, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Lexington (GIII)

April 12, 2025

Keeneland • Lexington, KY, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

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