After catching and recovering from COVID-19 this winter, trainer Bill Mott could now be at risk of catching something much more desirable — Derby fever.
There are two roads leading out of Florida that culminate in Louisville, home of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. There’s one that starts in Hallandale Beach at Gulfstream Park, while the curtain will rise on a second path Saturday with the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa.
Saturday's $250,000, Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, the local prep race for the Grade 2 Lambolm South Tampa Bay Derby four weeks from now, brings together a field of 12 (plus one also-eligible) attempting to become one of the betting favorites going into that race.
Tom Pedulla is interviewing prominent owners, trainers and jockeys for America’s Best Racing as they travel the Road to the 147th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 1 at Churchill Downs.
Aqueduct’s Road to the Kentucky Derby will cross the halfway point with Saturday’s running of the $250,000 Grade 3 Withers Stakes. Held at 1 1/8 miles on the main track, the Withers is the third of five annual Derby preps contested at Aqueduct, with the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes on Mar.
