Valuable Derby/Oaks points on line in Grade 3 Sam F. Davis, Suncoast Stakes

By Rick Francis —-

The winding road to the 149th Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks takes us to Oldsmar, Florida and Tampa Bay Downs for the runnings of the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis for the boys and the Suncoast Stakes for the girls with each offering valuable points for a shot to make history on the first Friday and Saturday of May. Be on the lookout for a bit of a wet go and good luck.

Race 9) 1m40yds. Suncoast S. Purse $150,000 (includes $50,000 Other Sources) FOR FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Certain finishing positions in this race will earn points to qualify for the
2023 Kentucky Oaks, pursuant to the official rules for The Road to the Kentucky Oaks
Post Time: ( 4:48)/ 3:48/ 2:48/ 1:48

1) Wonder Wheel (Casse/Gaffalione); reigning BC Juve Filly champ makes her ’23 debut following a stellar ’22 season which saw this daughter of Into Mischief win 4-of-5 starts highlighted by her Breeders’ Cup score. Strong worktab on view, look for a lights out effort.

9) Julia Shining (Pletcher/Saez); 2-for-2 each demonstrating a scary late kick that shown brightly last out taking the G2 Demoiselle going longer in the slop; Culin filly will make top pick earn it.

2) Opus Forty Two (Dlacour/Centeno); rolls in on a 2-race win streak, the last a gutsy stakes score here last month.

6) Guns n’Graces (Brown/Diaz); maiden win here in December was at today’s route; trainer Brown with a maiden winner next out, 28 percent.

Selections: 1, 9, 2, 6

Race 10) 1&1/16th Mile. Sam F. Davis S. DAVIS S.. Grade III. Purse $250,000 FOR THREE YEAR OLDS
. IMPORTANT REMINDER: Certain finishing positions in this race will earn points to qualify for the
2023 Kentucky Derby, pursuant to the official rules for The Road to the Kentucky Derby
Post Time: ( 5:18)/ 4:18/ 3:18/ 2:18

7) Dubyuhnell (Gargan/Ortiz, J.); dueling score last out to win the Grade 2 Remsen came in the slop and at the handicap distance which also produced the field’s only triple digit speed figure. The cutback and with jock Ortiz staying makes this Good Magic colt a big time threat.

10) Dreaming of Kona (Spieth/Spieth); was DQ’d up to firts last out in the Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream; don’t think that effort was a fluke as Fast Anna colt worked lights out for that start and has posted another similar blistering work; Value!!

2) Prairie Hawk (Joseph/Camacho); enters on back-to-back wins here; always forwardly placed, son of Curlin allowed to get loose on the lead will be tough to reign in.

11) Litigate (Pletcher/Saez); though he was no threat last out to Cyclone Mischief, trainer has been conditioning this Blame colt back into top form; you know these connections will be gunning for this.

ADD: 9) Champions Dream (Casse/Gaffalione); Justify colt just missed here last month in the Pasco; has the most stakes experience so include if you can.

Selections: 7, 10, 2, 11 + 9