Meet the Contenders: 2026 Sam F. Davis Stakes
Confessional wins at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Media)
February 5th, 2026
Meet the horses running in the 2026 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents the opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your Stable Alerts.
Confessional wins at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Media)
#1 Confessional *****
Pro: Exits a runner-up finish in an allowance to Nearly, who returned to dominate the Holy Bull (G3).
Con: He’s stretching out from seven furlongs to 1 1/16 miles and is unproven around two turns.
TwinSpires
#2 Epic Desire ***
Pro: Graduated by 2 1/2 lengths in a recent maiden special weight at Tampa Bay Downs.
Con: Needs to improve upon his career-best 82 Brisnet Speed rating.
TwinSpires
#3 The Puma ****
Pro: Ran second in a fast seven-furlong maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park.
Con: He’s 0-for-1 and brings very little experience into the Sam F. Davis.
Game For It wins at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#4 Game for It *
Pro: Charged hard late to win a six-furlong $75,000 maiden optional claimer at Aqueduct.
Con: He’s stepping up sharply in class and distance.
TwinSpires
#5 Ocelli **
Pro: Has run well twice over the 1 1/16-mile distance of the Sam F. Davis.
Con: He’s 0-for-3 and must improve on the Brisnet Speed rating scale.
Renegade (inside) outfinished Paladin after a bumpy stretch drive in an October maiden race, but was disqualified to second place. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#6 Renegade *****
Pro: Proved his worth on the Road to the Kentucky Derby when finishing second in the Remsen (G2).
Con: He’s making his first start of 2026.
TwinSpires
#7 Wayne’s Law **
Pro: Dominated the one-mile Aventura S. at Gulfstream by 7 1/4 lengths.
Con: His career-best 83 Brisnet Speed rating is modest.
TwinSpires
#8 Max Capacity *
Pro: Experienced colt has competed in five stakes, most notably running second in Tampa’s Inaugural S.
Con: He was soundly beaten in his lone start beyond six furlongs.
Dr. Kapur wins at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)
#9 Dr. Kapur ***
Pro: Won a maiden special weight by 2 3/4 lengths over Chip Honcho, who later took the Gun Runner S.
Con: Faltered after setting a fast pace in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), finishing a distant sixth.
