TAMPA BAY Sam Davis top two head separate ways

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Flameaway and Catholic Boy, the top two finishers Saturday in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, appear to be headed in separate directions as their connections start looking further down the road to the 144th Kentucky Derby.

Flameaway, a half-length winner under Jose Lezcano, picked up 10 qualifying points for the May 5 Derby, assuming the Scat Daddy colt is nominated to the Triple Crown for $6,000 by the next deadline, March 19. Trainer Mark Casse said that missing the $600 first deadline for Flameaway was an oversight, and that he and owner John Oxley intend to nominate him to the Triple Crown.

“The colt came out of it in great shape,” Casse said. “We’ll keep our options open.”

Casse said the March 10 Tampa Bay Derby and April 7 Blue Grass at Keeneland are logical next steps for Flameaway.

Flameaway earned a careerhigh 92 Beyer Speed Figure in the Sam Davis and finished the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:42.44, shaving .01 of a second off the stakes record, set last year by McCraken.

Trainer Jonathan Thomas said he was pleased overall with the first race for Catholic Boy since his victory in the Remsen in early December. Catholic Boy earned a 91 Beyer, the same as in the Remsen.

“He hung on us a little bit, and that was a first,” Thomas said. “But if you look at the big picture, it was a solid effort, considering the ground he lost on both turns and it was his first race in 10 weeks.”

Thomas said the March 31 Florida Derby at Gulfstream is still likely for Catholic Boy, although the March 24 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds also will be considered as a lone prep between now and the Kentucky Derby.

“I like the timing of either one,” Thomas said.

Vino Rosso finished third in the Sam Davis, beaten 1 1/4 lengths by Flameaway, his first defeat in three career starts. The Curlin colt is back with the Todd Pletcher stable at Palm Beach Downs, with future plans to be determined.

Hollywood Star did not run particularly well when finishing fourth, beaten nearly 10 lengths by the winner. Trainer Dale Romans said he likely will give the colt another try somewhere on the Derby trail.

Still, Festival Preview Day was not all bad for Romans. He won the $100,000 Suncoast with C. S. Incharge, who surely will need to improve on her 68 Beyer as she continues along the Kentucky Oaks trail. C. S. Incharge earned 10 Oaks qualifying points for winning the Suncoast.

No Dubai for World Approval

Less than 48 hours after World Approval won his 6-yearold debut in what was supposed to be a prep for the $6 million Dubai Turf, trainer Mark Casse said Monday he will not be sending his 2017 turf champion overseas for the March 31 race after all.

Ridden by John Velazquez, World Approval won the 1 1/16mile Tampa Bay Stakes here Saturday by a half-length over Forge. He earned a 103 Beyer, marking his sixth straight race with a triple-digit figure, and went past the $3 million mark with his 12th win from 25 starts.

“The Dubai race is almost nine furlongs, which stretches us,” Casse said. “We’ve said all along a mile is his best play. You might be able to get away with it sometimes, but probably not when you’re up against the best horses in the world like he would be in Dubai. He’s a champion, and we’re going to take care of him.”

Casse said the Grade 1 Maker’s 46 Mile on April 13 at Keeneland becomes the new target, with possibly the March 10 Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita in between.

Dona Bruja back in big way

Ignacio Correas entered the Tampa winner’s circle Saturday with a glint in his eyes. The 58-year-old trainer hardly could have been happier with the way his stable star Dona Bruja dominated the Grade 3 Endeavour Stakes. La Coronel, a Grade 1 winner, finished four lengths back in second.

“She’s an amazing mare,” Correas said of Dona Bruja.

The Grade 2 Hillsborough on March 10 is a next-out option for Dona Bruja, but Correas said he is inclined to bypass that race in favor of the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley on April 14 at Keeneland.

“We’re working backward from the bigger races later in the year,” he said. “We definitely want to go back to the Beverly D., and we will consider nominating her to the Breeders’ Cup.”

All-sources handle Saturday was $9,504,283, second-highest ever for a Festival Preview card. The track record is $12,250,487, set on Tampa Bay Derby Day 2016.

◗ A carryover of $33,687 in the late pick five (races 5-9) awaits fans when action resumes here Wednesday with a nine-race card that starts at 12:23 p.m. Eastern. Also, there is racing here the next two Thursdays (Feb. 15 and 22).