Tipsheet: Sam F. Davis Stakes 2021

An overflow field of 13 sophomores will run 1 1/16 miles at Tampa Bay Downs in Saturday’s $250,000 Sam F. Davis S. (G3). The three-year-old contest is part of the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby, with points going to the top four finishers on a 10-4-2-1 basis.

Sam F. Davis Picks

• #9 Candy Man Rocket
• #3 Known Agenda
• #1 Hidden Stash
• #5 Smiley Sobotka

Sam F. Davis Wagers

• $10 Win and Place #9 Candy Man Rocket
• $5 Exacta 9 with 1,3,5
• 50-cent Trifecta Box 1,3,5,9

Sam F. Davis Contenders

#1 HIDDEN STASH has shown marked improvement since stretching out to route racing for Oliver. Talented Constitution colt has won two in succession, and he gets a cozy draw on the rail for his stakes debut, as well. Chestnut will save ground throughout under Diaz.

#2 JOE MAN JOE broke his maiden on the course two back prior to finishing second in a recent turf tilt, but he will need a big move forward to challenge this field at a big price.

#3 KNOWN AGENDA is a win contender with his best for Pletcher. Curlin colt was a fine maiden winner two back in defeating a top field, including recent Holy Bull (G3) romper Greatest Honour. Kentucky-bred, who came home third in the Remsen (G2) in his juvenile finale, will stalk the pace early on with John Velazquez riding.

#4 MILLEAN graduated on the move from turf to dirt last time out. Second from the Pletcher barn takes a big class hike from the maiden claiming ranks, and he will need a major step forward to upset this sizable field with Roberto Alvarado in the stirrups.

#5 SMILEY SOBOTKA makes his seasonal debut for Romans. Brody’s Cause colt finished a fine runner-up in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) to conclude his 2-year-old campaign, and the talented sophomore shows a sharp half-mile drill in his most recent breeze in advance of the Sam F. Davis, as well. Daniel Centeno picks up the ride.

#6 RUNWAY MAGIC flashed potential sprinting and comes in off a third-place result in the Limehouse S. at Gulfstream Park. Rusty Arnold pupil is a wildcard at the distance, but he wouldn’t surprise with a positive effort on Saturday while making his two-turn debut. Regular rider Leparoux has the assignment.

#7 BOCA BOY led throughout in upsetting the In Reality division of the Florida Sire S. at Gulfstream last time out. Winebaugh trainee is proven with state-bred stakes foes and at the distance, and the Prospective gelding could factor if he is ready off the bench. Antonio Gallardo will be in the silks.

#8 NOVA RAGS was sharp in taking the Pasco S. on the course most recently for Bill Mott. Chestnut colt was trounced in his previous graded stakes attempt, but he likes the course and deserves another chance with this kind. Samy Camacho will retain the mount.

#9 CANDY MAN ROCKET was visually impressive in driving home a daylight maiden winner in his second lifetime start most recently. Mott pupil added Lasix in that score, which he won't have here, but gave every impression of a horse who will handle the added ground going forward. Upset pick will have Junior Alvarado in the irons.

#10 RICOCHET has taken to the Tampa surface quite well in his last pair for Danner. Bay was a facile maiden winner in his latest outing, and he has trained well in the interim as well. Castanon will guide the top-four contender.

#11 LUCKY LAW makes the move to the main strip after looking good on the green in both lifetime races to date. Biancone-trained son of No Nay Never is not bred for the dirt, but he trains well over it and could be sneaky at a price in his debut on the oval. Late runner will have Robby Albarado in the pipes.

#12 LAST INVESTMENT enters as a maiden and gets a tough draw on the outside. Bay colt would be a big surprise in this spot.

#13 TIZ TACT TOE is on the also-eligibles list for Hess. Recent claim races with blinkers and as a gelding for the initial time, but he has yet to run on the dirt and is hard to back from the widest post.