A Dozen Sophomores Vie in Sam F. Davis

A group of 12 3-year-olds has passed the entry box in Saturday's $100,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, a prelude to that track's signature Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) March 19. Trainer Nick Zito sends out two of the top entries in Andromeda's Hero and G P's Black Knight.

Robert LaPenta's Andromeda's Hero will go out under the command of Zito and 2004 Eclipse Award finalist Rafael Bejarano. The chestnut son of Fusaichi Pegasus   was bred in Kentucky by Barnett Enterprises, and though he hasn't tested stakes waters, he has the pedigree to run with this group.

Out of the Storm Bird mare Marozia, Amdromeda's Hero has a lone maiden score at seven furlongs under his girth but should have the stamina for the 1-1/16-mile affair. He'll break from the far outside post 12.

Barnmate G P's Black Knight, owned by LaPenta and golf legend Gary Player, will challenge from the five-hole with Cornelio Velasquez at the reins. The Calder-based son of Florida stallion Tiger Ridge was pulled up last time out in the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream, but has a stakes win in the Birdonthewire Stakes to his credit and a bankroll of $89,500.

G P's Black Knight was bred in Florida by Tony and Dawn Bowling, and produced out of the South African Wolf Power mare Ample Time.

The powerful connections of owner Michael Tabor and trainer Todd Pletcher will send out the field's most accomplished runner, Killenaule. Bred in Kentucky by High Creek Farm, this dark bay or brown son of Fusaichi Pegasus   boasts two stakes wins and a third in last year's Remsen Stakes (gr. II) behind Derby hopefuls Rockport Harbor and Galloping Grocer.

Killenaule has a field-high $198,956 in earnings, and Jockey Chris DeCarlo, aboard in both of those stakes wins--the Dover and the Storm Cat--gets the call.

Adding some spice to the contest is West Point Thoroughbred's Get Down. Bred in Manitoba by Gold Medal Stable, the son of Hill 'n' Dale stallion Doneraile Court is undefeated in two starts at Woodbine and ships in for trainer Nancy Triola to keep his record clean.

Nicandro (by 8-1/4 lengths), Summer Legacy, Soused, and Coyoteshighcall all enter off wins at last asking.

Sam F. Davis Stakes, 3-Year-Olds, 116 pounds, 1-1/16 miles, $100,000, 4:25 PM EDT.

PP--Horse, jockey

1--Soused, Joseph Judice
2--Oak Forest, Thomas Pompell
3--Nicandro, Jesse Garcia
4--Summer Legacy, Federica Mata
5--G P's Black Knight, Cornelio Velazquez
6--Coyoteshighestcall, Huber Villa-Gomez
7--Captain Lindsay, Jesus Castanon
8--Stormy Jim, Herberto Castillo
9--Killenaule, Chris DeCarlo
10--Get Down, Slade Callaghan
11--Mad Adam, Jose Lezcano
12--Andromeda's Hero, Rafael Bejerano