The Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs is the Florida racetrack’s traditional prep for the Tampa Bay Derby and has become an increasingly important winter prep for the Kentucky Derby. The Sam F. Davis, contested at 1 1/16 miles over Tampa Bay Downs’ main dirt track, earned Grade 3 status in 2009. It was initially not included in Churchill Downs’ Road to the Kentucky Derby series of points races in 2013 when that system was first held, but was added for the 2016-2017 series.
The Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs is the Florida racetrack’s traditional prep for the Tampa Bay Derby and has become an increasingly important winter prep for the Kentucky Derby. The Sam F. Davis, contested at 1 1/16 miles over Tampa Bay Downs’ main dirt track, earned Grade 3 status in 2009. It was initially not included in Churchill Downs’ Road to the Kentucky Derby series of points races in 2013 when that system was first held, but was added for the 2016-2017 series.