McCraken Wins Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs

The $250,000 G3 Sam F. Davis Stakes went down Saturday, February 11 at Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa, Florida. Three year old Kentucky Derby Hopefuls took to Tampa Bay Downs dirt track and raced 1 1/6 miles for the winner's share of the purse and the 10-4-2-1 points allotment toward Derby qualification. Unbeaten Ian Wilkes trained 3-2 race favorite McCraken did what most expected and prevailed by a relatively easy 1 1/2 lengths and served notice that he will be one to watch in the Run for the Roses in May - he now has 20 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. Tapwrit finished a good second at 9-1 odds in the field of nine with pacesetter, 11-1 shot State of Honor getting in for third. Wild Shot finished fourth while 5-2 second choice Fact Finding, No Dozing, Six Gun Salute, Chance of Luck, and King and His Court completed the order of finish.