Tampa Bay: GIII Sam F. Davis Headlines Festival Preview Day

By Rick Francis —-

Race 10) Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes 3YO 1&1/16th Miles Post Time 4:52 EST

Navy Armed Guard (1), Scott/Castanon; maiden has shown steady improvement and fought gamely last out losing by a neck; don’t see him blowing up a trifecta, super possible.

Flameaway (2), Casse/Lezcano; interesting note is that connections haven’t nominated this Scat Daddy colt for the Triple Crown. A stakes winner on both surfaces, his Grade 3 Bourbon score came over muddy Keeneland main; nevertheless, he’s forwardly placed and that’s always trouble here.

Vino Rosso (3), Pletcher/Velazquez; Curlin colt is a perfect 2-for-2, his last an in hand win here over OC75’s. He’s another that’ll be in the mix early and with the trainer/jock tandem hitting at 29 percent on the year, a major win threat.

Septimius Severus (4), Weaver/Ortiz, J; colt had every chance last out in his first test against winners only to finish a well beaten second; jock change to Eclipse winner Ortiz a plus, but not enough.

Hollywood Star (5), Romans/Rosario; twice graded stakes placed, colt comes in fresh after finishing mid-pack in the B.C. Juvenile. Connections bailed on the Holy Bull last week with this one and really don’t see this path much easier.

Catholic Boy (6), Thomas/Franco; after a pair of turf wins, one in the G3 With Anticipation, and a solid performance finishing fourth in the BC Juve Turf, More Than Ready colt took to the Aqueduct main last out and blew away the Grade 2 Remsen field. He’ll need to be engaged a bit earlier, but he’s done little wrong and will be the one to beat.

Vouch (7), Delacour/Centeno; stayed on to finish a respectable third in the Remsen; spot fits and trainer is on fire this meet.

Selections: 6, 3, 7, 2