Tipsheet: 2025 Sam F. Davis Stakes

A talented group of 10 three-year-old prospects will run 1 1/16 miles on the Tampa Bay Downs dirt oval in Saturday’s $250,000 Sam F. Davis S. (G3). The 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five finishers of the heat with qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis. 

Sam F. Davis Stakes Picks

• #2 Treaty of Rome
• #7 Poster
• #6 Owen Almighty
• #3 John Hancock

Sam F. Davis Stakes Wagers

• $20 win #2 Treaty of Rome
• $3 exacta key box 2 with 3,6,7
• $1 trifecta 2,7 with 2,3,6,7 with 2,3,6,7

Sam F. Davis Stakes Contenders

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#1 CAMP HALE: Mo Town maiden has checked in second in each of his trio of solid efforts to date for conditioner Ian Wilkes. The gelded bay is well drawn on the rail and could move forward in his initial try running two runs in his local bow. Brian Hernandez, Jr. will pilot the Whitham homebred. 

#2 TREATY OF ROME: Well-bred Uncle Mo colt was a head shy in Mucho Macho Man S. at Gulfstream in his latest performance and fits well in the field for trainer Chad Brown. The colt is bred to handle two turns with ease, and his last pair of tries indicate that he will appreciate the added ground on Saturday. Dylan Davis will guide the dangerous commodity. 

#3 JOHN HANCOCK: Second timer from the Brad Cox shedrow led at every call in a maiden special weight score on the oval on debut and could be any type going forward. The Constitution chestnut showed speed and came home swiftly during his unveiling, and the colt has trained well with two nice morning drills in the interim, as well. Flavien Prat coming in to ride is a major plus. 

#4 DR RUBEN M: Doug O’Neill trainee finished a well-beaten fourth in the Springboard Mile S. in his initial run with winners last time and will be part of the pace in this endeavor. The Vino Rosso colt could hang around for a minor share if he receives a sensible voyage beneath Junior Alvarado. 

#5 GATESKEEPER: Instagrand sophomore has placed in both lifetime runs to date, but he is ambitiously placed in here by conditioner Jade Cunningham. It would be a surprise to me if the bay were to graduate against this nice cast. 

#6 OWEN ALMIGHTY: Major threat from the Brian Lynch barn crossed the wire in first only to be taken down in the Pasco S. on the oval most recently. The Iroquois S. (G3) runner-up will have blinkers added for this assignment, and it’s a good thing that he retains pilot Irad Ortiz, Jr., too. The Speightstown colt will be forwardly placed from the break. 

#7 POSTER: Unbeaten son of Munnings has improved his Brisnet Speed figure in each career run to date and comes off of a visually impressive tally in the Remsen S. (G2) last out for conditioner Eoin Harty. The Godolphin homebred drilled a bullet five-eighths on the strip in advance of his local debut and picks up good local jockey Antonio Gallardo. 

#8 NAUGHTY RASCAL: Rogueish sophomore has never run a bad one and will be right there late if he can prove to be capable at two turns. The three-time stakes victor has put in a pair of very good runs at the meeting and will always be in the mix beneath Edwin Gonzalez. 

#9 SMOKEN BOY: Wildcard in the cast was a dominant Group 1 winner in Puerto Rico in his last showing and makes his stateside debut for conditioner Jose D’Angelo. The gray son of Catholic Boy will have blinkers added for the contest and should be ready following four morning moves at Palm Meadows as of late. Paco Lopez inherits the ride. 

#10 VERY BOLD: Second from the Harty shedrow has yet to prove that he is fast enough to run with this caliber of horses and I can’t endorse him from the outside post slot.