Grade 3, $200,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Tampa Bay Downs, Feb. 6, 2021 (10 Derby qualifying points for first, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth) Winner: Candy Man Rocket, by Candy Ride Trainer: Bill Mott Jockey: Junior Alvarado Owner: Frank Fletcher Racing Operations Inc. Beyer Speed Figure: 85 Who can make it in the Sunshine State? The Candy Man can. CANDY MAN ROCKET is now 2 for 2 since heading south for the winter, following up a maiden sprint win at Gulfstream with this victory in his first start around two turns, first start against winners, and first start at Tampa Bay Downs. In his favor is that Candy Man Rocket shipped in to a track that can test newbies and beat stablemate NOVA RAGS, who already had a victory over the track. But the fig earned was nothing special, and Candy Man Rocket looked as though he was holding steady more so than emphatically trouncing his rivals. He is lightly raced, and hails from an outstanding barn, so there’s certainly reason to believe he can progress, but he’ll need to if he’s going to be a factor against the division’s best. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2021: Point standings, prep schedule, news, and more In this race, Candy Man Rocket used his natural speed and outside draw to be forwardly placed, in a stalking position from the three path, around the first turn. He advanced to challenge BOCA BOY for the lead heading down the backstretch, eased back off him a touch going into the far turn, but then re-engaged on the turn from the three path, moved swiftly to take the lead a quarter-mile out, opened a daylight lead with a furlong to go, and held on. The official chart said he returned bleeding from the mouth. I could see no evidence of blood on Alvarado’s pants when they came into the winner’s circle, so I’m inclined to believe the blood was likely from a cut and not anything of significant importance. But do keep in mind throughout the prep season that horses can’t earn Derby points if they run on Lasix. He was off Lasix here after using it for his maiden win at Gulfstream. Nova Rags, who finished second, broke well and went into the first turn just behind the leaders, then was angled outside rivals to set up shop behind and outside of Candy Man Rocket entering the backstretch. He moved closer when RICOCHET made an early move outside him going down the backstretch, dived down to the rail around the far turn and got through inside Boca Boy, couldn’t stay with Candy Man Rocket in upper stretch, but incrementally cut into the deficit in the final sixteenth. Not a bad try in his first race around two turns, but he had a pretty sweet trip. HIDDEN STASH, who finished third, used his rail draw to save ground around the first turn while midpack. He continued to save every inch of ground around the far turn while following Nova Rags, was angled outside rivals in upper stretch, and made steady progress late while failing to change leads. It would be difficult to get a better trip than he had here. Boca Boy, who was fourth, showed his customary early speed and led into the first turn while being kept in the two path. He continued to lead down the backstretch and opened up on Candy Man Rocket with a half-mile remaining after an initial bid from Candy Man Rocket. He was engulfed by Candy Man Rocket and Nova Rags approaching the top of the lane, couldn’t stay with them, drifted out slightly, and gradually faded in the final furlong. Not a bad try following a four-month break, but he doesn’t seem like he’s going to appreciate more distance. :: Click to learn about our DRF's Free Past Performance program. KNOWN AGENDA, who was fifth, raced between rivals at the rear of the pack entering the first turn, remained well back down the backstretch, and dropped back to last with three furlongs to go. He made a mild run in the two path on the far turn before being angled wider entering the lane and made some late progress while never threatening. This was very much like his effort in the Remsen. LUCKY LAW, who was sixth, was cleverly ridden by Robby Albarado entering the first turn to get over from post 11 and save plenty of ground while midpack. He was pretty much even with Hidden Stash for much of the backstretch and around the far turn, couldn’t stay with him coming off the bend, dropped down toward the rail, and flattened out. Can’t blame them for trying dirt here – it’s the time of year you have to find out with a 3-year-old – but his future looks to be on turf. JOE MAN JOE, who finished seventh, raced at the rear of the field while saving ground around the first turn, remained well back to the far turn, made up a bit of ground while hugging the rail, tipped out in upper stretch, and passed some tired foes while never getting close. Ricochet, who was eighth, went into the first turn in the three path, midpack, following Candy Man Rocket, then made an aggressive, mid-race move in the middle of the track to get within a length or so of the leaders midway through the race. He was fourth while in the four path entering the far turn, couldn’t stay with the top three at that point, was on his wrong lead inside the furlong pole, and beat a steady retreat. SMILEY SOBOTKA, who was ninth, broke sharply and was forwardly placed just inside Boca Boy around the first turn. By midway through the race, though, he needed to be urged along, and he had no response, dropping back readily while drifting to the three path on the far turn. He was sympathetically ridden the rest of the way. LAST INVESTMENT, who was 10th, raced midpack while at least four paths wide around the first turn, was urged along in the five path around the far turn, but couldn’t keep up and faded through the lane after getting a scenic tour of the track. He’s a maiden, and this was a difficult, wide trip. He might be worth a look when back with his friends. MILLEAN, who was 11th, went into the first turn at the rear of the pack in the three path and remained wide and badly outrun throughout. RUNWAY MAGIC, who was last of 12, raced midpack, in some traffic, two to three paths wide on the first turn. He inched closer down the backstretch, went into the far turn three to four paths wide, but came off the bit midway on the turn and faded. He’s a late-running sprinter.