The Grade 3 Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs has been an excellent race in the past few years. Last years winner was General Quarters. He went on to take the Grade 1 Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland. In 2007 Any Given Saturday won the race and later that year took the Haskell Invitational. In 2006 Bluegrass Cat won the race before running second to Barbaro in the Kentucky Derby. The $225,000 purse would go very far in helping a prospective Kentucky Derby horse get the earnings he needs to make the race. Let’s take a look at the field!

Todd Pletcher has a hot Kentucky Derby prospect in Delta Jackpot winner Rule. The son of Roman Ruler broke the track record for one mile  in a minor stakes at Delta Downs prior to that win. He has speed to spare and should make the lead. I have to wonder if he is cranked up for this race. He doesn’t have to win so the connections may or may not be giving it everything in this spot.  John Velasquez will retain the mount and seek to improve this colts win streak to four races. It won’t be easy.

Uptowncharlybrown took the Pasco Stakes by 6 lengths last out under Daniel Centeno after breaking his maiden by 9 lengths. Both of those win came at Tampa Bay Downs. He is a closer and will be rolling late in this race. The connections will need him to perform well if he is going to stay on track for the First Saturday in May. A win here would go a long way towards getting him the earnings he needs to be in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby.

Derek Ryan will send out Schoolyard Dreams after he won an optional claimer last out. He has elected to add blinkers. The son of Stephen Got Even sports a bullet four furlong breeze and has been working very well for the past few weeks. He beat a nice colt in Tempted To Tapit two races back. Cornelio Velasquez will pick up the mount since Daniel Centeno opted to stay with Uptowncharlybrown. This colt doesn’t seem too fast on paper, but I’ve got a good feeling about him.

Middle Of The Nite will attempt to shake things up here for trainer Thomas Albertrani. His last trip to the track resulted in a close third place finish behind the highly thought of Eskendereya at Gulfstream Park. The son of Offlee Wild will be racing for West Point Thoroughbreds. It is likely that he will confront Rule for the lead.

Who do you like in the Sam F. Davis Stakes?