Meet the Contenders: 2023 Tampa Bay Derby
Racing at Tampa Bay Downs (SV Photography)
March 10th, 2023
Meet the horses running in the 2023 Tampa Bay Derby. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well in the Tampa Bay Derby field.
#1 LORD MILES **
Lord Miles wins at Gulfstream (Photo by Lauren King/Coglianese Photos)
Pro: Son of Curlin still has potential to excel with maturity and going long.
Con: Never factored in soft renewal of Holy Bull (G3), though blinkers come off here.
#2 CLASSIC CAR WASH **
Pro: Solid third in Sam F. Davis (G3) after beating soft overnight company in previous two.
Con: Casse barn 0-for-11 to start the Tampa Bay Downs meeting.
#3 CLASSIC LEGACY ***
Classic Legacy wins at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
Pro: Kin to Art Collector has the potential to improve in second start off the layoff.
Con: No serious factor in the Sam F. Davis and competition is deeper this time.
#4 GROVELAND ***
Pro: Consistent check getter and highest-placed finisher returning from Sam F. Davis.
Con: Davis was not one of the swiftest preps this year, so he’ll have to quicken.
#5 MIKEY BANANAS *
Pro: Experience over the track is the slimmest of assets going in.
Con: Three straight local allowance losses by significant margins suggest he’s in too deep.
#6 TAPIT TRICE *****
Tapit Trice wins maiden at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
Pro: Looked a potential star winning Gulfstream allowance, earning 99 Brisnet Speed figure.
Con: Faces a more congested field here and surface can be tricky for newcomers.
#7 FREEDOM ROAD *
Pro: Proven over the track based on last-out allowance win.
Con: Lone two-turn attempt, in the Sapling S. at Monmouth, was no great shakes.
#8 DREAMING OF KONA **
Dreaming of Kona wins the Mucho Macho Man Stakes (Photo by Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos)
Pro: One of several also-rans seemingly capable of better than what Sam F. Davis suggests.
Con: Both official losses have come over this track.
#9 SHESTERKIN ****
Pro: Was the actual “buzz” horse going into his meeting with Tapit Trice and may close gap here.
Con: Two turns might benefit his favored stablemate more than him.
#10 CHAMPIONS DREAM **
Champions Dream wins the Nashua Stakes (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
Pro: Threw in towel very early in Sam F. Davis; prior stakes form generally good.
Con: Career highlight so far a win in weak renewal of the Nashua (G3).
#11 ZYDECEAUX **
Zydeceaux (Photo by SV Photography)
Pro: Set pace in Sam F. Davis and held on longer than most bettors expected.
Con: Seemingly a cut or two below here and perhaps better suited to one turn.
#12 PRAIRIE HAWK **
Pro: Was not seen to best effect in Sam F. Davis and probably can do much better.
Con: Best when able to show early foot, but tough to do from this draw.
