Sam F. Davis Stakes

Tampa Bay Downs will increase purses 6% for the second time this meet, effective Friday. All overnight races will now be worth an additional $1,000. The first increase, which took effect Feb. 10, also raised purse money by $1,000 a race. The increases come in the wake of the four overnight purse increases at the track's 2020-2021 meet. "Several factors have contributed to our ability to raise purse money again for our horsemen," said Peter Berube, the track's vice president and general manager. "First and foremost is the quality product...

Albaugh Family Stables' Smiley Sobotka (Brody's Cause), last seen finishing second behind Keepmeinmind (Laoban) in the Nov. 28 GII Kentucky Jockey Club S., makes his sophomore debut in the 1 1/16-mile GIII Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs Saturday. The chestnut colt tuned up for his return to the races with a four-furlong drill in :46.81 (2/118) at Gulfstream Park last Saturday. Michael Shanley's Nova Rags (Union Rags) makes a return trip to Tampa following his win in the seven-furlong Pasco S. last time out Jan. 16. The...

Tampa Bay Downs is offering limited general admission for its upcoming Festival Preview Day 41 Presented by Lambholm South. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Florida track will limit the number of spectators on the day to 2,500. Tickets are available online at www.tampabaydowns.com. To be held Feb. 6, the Festival Preview Day card will feature the GIII Sam F. Davis S. and the Suncoast S. Horsemen, box-seat holders and season-ticket holders do not need to purchase tickets, but will need to present their passes at the gate.

With all eyes on unbeaten Independence Hall (Constitution) in Saturday's GIII Sam F. Davis S., Sole Volante (Karakontie {Jpn}) came rolling down the Tampa Bay stretch to upset the 3-5 favorite by a widening 2 1/2 lengths. It was 11 1/4 lengths back to third-place finisher Ajaaweed (Curlin). Sole Volante, campaigned in partnership by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Andie Biancone and Limelight Stables Corp., won his first two starts on grass, including an impressive come-from-behind win in the Pulpit S. at Gulfstream Nov. 30. He ran on nicely to finish third...

Undefeated and impressive in all three of his career starts thus far, Independence Hall (Constitution) has earned respect as one of the top early choices for the GI Kentucky Derby. Saturday, fans will get a much clearer picture of whether that stature is justified, as the Mike Trombetta trainee heads south to take on a quality field in the GIII Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs. Sent off as a 7-5 favorite debuting in a seven-furlong event on the GI Pennsylvania Derby undercard at Parx, the dark bay...

Independence Hall (Constitution) tuned up for Saturday's 1 1/16-mile GIII Sam F. Davis S. with a  four-furlong drill in :48.60 (10/82) at Tampa Bay Downs Sunday. "He kicked on nice. I'm very happy with the breeze," trainer Michael Trombetta said. "The way he started off [an opening eighth of a mile in about :13 seconds], you wouldn't have thought he'd breeze in :48 and change. The 'ask' was somewhere in the :48-49 range and out in the 1:01 range, and he galloped out in 1:00 4/5. So if you're choosier...