2017 Sam F. Davis Stakes Preview, Entries & Odds

OffTrackBetting.com - The G3 Sam F. Davis Stakes goes down this Saturday, February 11 at Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa, Florida. A group of three year olds will be after the winner's share of the $250,000 purse and the 10 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby in May when they take to Tampa Bay Downs dirt track and race 1 1/16 miles.

Nine sophomores will take part in the Sam F. Davis Stakes - race 10 on Tampa Bay's stacked Saturday schedule. Post time is 4:45 PM. Here is a brief glance into the past performances of all nine combatants for this intriguing "Road to the Kentucky Derby" points gathering race.

2017 Sam F. Davis Stakes Entries at Tampa Bay Downs

McCraken - undefeated Ian Wilkes trained gelding has three career starts with three impressive wins - all at Churchill Downs. Last time out was in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes November 26 by 1 1/4 lengths after his wins by 3 3/4 lengths in the minor Street Sense Stakes October 30 and a maiden score at first asking October 2. McCraken has been very impressive so far in his career, is firmly on the Derby radar and looks to remain unbeaten Saturday. Brian Joseph Hernandez gets the call on the likely favorite from gate 8.

Fact Finding - has three career starts for trainer Todd Pletcher with three nice wins as well. He makes his graded stakes debut Saturday off a seven length win in the minor Smooth Air Stakes at Gulfstream Park December 10 which followed his Allowance score October 12 and a maiden score at first asking - at Saratoga in August. Fact Finding hasn't been touched so far and steps up in top form with John Velazquez guiding him from post 3.

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No Dozing - has four career starts for trainer Arnaud Delacour with two wins and a second place finish. He won his first two career starts including an Allowance Optional Claiming at Laurel Park September 10 and followed that with an OK step up into stakes company - a fourth in the G1 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland October 8. Last time out was a very respectable runner-up finish in the G2 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct November 26. No Dozing has been decent so far, has been training well and hopes for a first stakes win in his third try. Daniel Centeno rides from the outside post 9.

Wild Shot - has four career starts for trainer George Arnold and has hit the board in all - a win, two seconds and a third place finish. His win came at Churchill Downs September 18 after a second at Ellis Park in his debut August 20. He has been good in two graded stakes races since - a second last time out behind McCraken in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs November 26 followed a third in the G1 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland October 8. Wild Shot has been knocking on the door of his first ever stakes win and will try to get that Saturday with Robby Albarado in the reins from gate 6.

Tapwrit - has two wins in three career starts for trainer Todd Pletcher. He debuted with a tenth and has been untouchable in two starts since - a maiden score at Gulfstream Park West October 6 was followed by a nice win in his stakes debut last time out - the minor Pulpit Stakes at Gulfstream Park December 10. Tapwrit has been on a serious upward trajectory this winter and will be out to keep that roll going with Jose Ortiz guiding him from post 7.

King And His Court - has placed in seven of nine career starts for trainer Mark Casse - three wins and four third place finishes - all at Woodbine. He enters on the heels of consecutive minor stakes scores - the Display Stakes last time out December 3 and the Coronation Futurity November 13 which followed three straight thirds including the G3 Grey Stakes October 9 and the minor Colin Stakes in September. King And His Court shoots for a first graded stakes win in his second try Saturday and third straight stakes win overall when he leaves from gate 2 with Gary Boulanger aboard.

State of Honor - Mark Casse trained colt has a win, two seconds and two third place finishes in seven career starts. He makes his graded stakes debut Saturday on the heels of consecutive runner-up finishes in minor stakes action - the Mucho Macho Man Stakes last time out on this track January 7 and the Coronation Futurity at Woodbine November 13. Before that was a maiden score at Woodbine and three off-the-board finishes in similar races on that track this past summer. State of Honor has been good lately and will be after a first stakes score from the rail Saturday. Julien Leparoux gets the call.

Chance of Luck - has three career starts for trainer Gerald Bennett with two wins and a second place finish so far. He makes his graded stakes debut Saturday off a second in the minor Pasco Stakes here January 21, a good win in the minor Inaugural Stakes on this track December 3 and a win at first asking - at Laurel Park October 28. Chance of Luck has been competitive so far and hopes it translates in his step up in competition - from gate 4 with Ronald Dale Allen in the reins.

Six Gun Salute - Eoin Harty trained colt has a win and a third place finish in four career starts. He makes his graded stakes debut in less-than-spectacular form - a fifth in the minor Pasco Stakes last time out here January 21 followed an eleventh in an Allowance Optional Claiming at Churchill Downs November 10 and a maiden score at Hawthorne in October - in his second career starts. Six Gun Salute hasn't been all that impressive and will be after a special effort Saturday from post 5. Pablo Morales gets the call.

2017 Sam F. Davis Stakes Odds & Entries

Race 10 on Tampa Bay Downs's Saturday card with a Post Time of 4:45 PM.