| PP | Horse | Odds | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Confessional | 2/1 | Brad H. Cox | Flavien Prat |
| 2 | Epic Desire | 15/1 | Todd A. Pletcher | Samy Camacho |
| 3 | The Puma | 6/1 | Gustavo Delgado | Javier Castellano |
| 4 | Game For It | 20/1 | Chad Summers | Luis R. Rivera Jr. |
| 5 | Ocelli | 12/1 | D. Beckman | Joseph D. Ramos |
| 6 | Renegade | 8/5 | Todd A. Pletcher | Irad Ortiz Jr. |
| 7 | Wayne’s Law | 30/1 | A. M. Sanchez | Marcos Meneses |
| 8 | Max Capacity | 30/1 | Richard P. Sillaman | Jevian Toledo |
| 9 | Dr. Kapur | 5/1 | Saffie A. Joseph Jr. | Silvestre Marin |
The Sam F. Davis Stakes is a non-graded race for 3-year-old horses, typically run over 1 1/16 miles. It is considered an important stepping stone to other Triple Crown prep races.
The 2026 Sam F. Davis Stakes will take place on February 7th, at Tampa Bay Downs. This race serves as a prep race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, making it a popular event in the online horse betting community.
Some older notable winners include Bluegrass Cat (2006) and Any Given Saturday (2007), both trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by top jockey John Velazquez. General Quarters (2009), another standout, went on to become a fan favorite for his underdog story. These horses paved the way for the race's current prestige, attracting interest from racing fans and bettors alike.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Renegade | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | 1:43.54 |
| 2025 | John Hancock | Flavien Prat | Brad H. Cox | 1:35.61 |
| 2024 | No More Time | Paco Lopez | Jose Francisco D'Angelo | 1:43.26 |
| 2023 | Litigate | Luis Saez | Todd A. Pletcher | 1:44.83 |
| 2022 | Classic Causeway | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Brian A. Lynch | 1:42.80 |
| 2021 | Candy Man Rocket | Junior Alvarado | William I. Mott | 1:44.30 |
| 2020 | Sole Volante | Luca Panici | Patrick L. Biancone | 1:42.60 |
Named after Sam F. Davis, a prominent figure in Tampa Bay Downs' history, the race has gained recognition as an important early step for horses on the Triple Crown trail. Many past winners of the Sam F. Davis Stakes have gone on to compete in other major races, and its relevance continues to grow as a measure of early-season three-year-old talent.
