On Saturday February 10th, Tampa Bay Downs will host the $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes. The Sam F. Davis Stakes is a Road to the Kentucky Derby race, where the winner will get 20 points, 2nd place gets 10, 3rd gets 6, 4th gets 4 and 5th gets 2 point towards winning entry into the 2024 Kentucky Derby.
The event was named after the industrialist Sam F. Davis who in 1972 became President of the Florida Downs and Turf Club and worked to make the track successful. Davis retired in 1980 with the track renaming itself to Tampa Bay Downs. The scheduling of the Sam F. Davis has made it a logical prep race for the Grade II Tampa Bay Derby which is usually held one month after. In 1987 the winner of the event, Phantom Jet proceeded to win the Tampa Bay Derby. Since 2013 the event has been part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby and frequently produces starters in that race.
2024 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs – Saturday, February 10th, 2024. Race and time to be determined as it gets closer to raceday!
