Big field likely for Tampa Derby

Final pre-race breezes were recorded over the weekend by prospective starters in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby, most notably by Win Win Win going a bullet half-mile Sunday morning in 47 seconds at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar, Fla.

At least 10 3-year-olds are expected Saturday for the Tampa Bay Derby. Win Win Win, who set the track record for seven furlongs in his most recent start, will have Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard for the first time when he stretches out to 1 1/16 miles in the $400,000 race. Trainer Mike Trombetta is scheduled to arrive Thursday evening from his Maryland base.

“The colt has really been doing well,” said Trombetta, who has commuted to and from Tampa with regularity this winter. “We’re very excited.”

Win Win Win, along with the winner of the Feb. 9 Sam F. Davis at Tampa, Well Defined, are the likely race favorites.

The Tampa Bay Derby is worth 85 qualifying points (50-20-10-5) toward the May 4 Kentucky Derby. Among the others expected are Admire, Current, Dream Maker, Lord Dragon, Sir Winston, Tacitus, The Right Path, and Zenden.

Admire, trained by Dale Romans, went five furlongs in 59.60 on Saturday at his Gulfstream Park base. The Albaugh Family Stables colt was withheld from the Fountain of Youth in favor of this spot.

Also, Dream Maker went a half-mile Saturday at Fair Grounds in 49 seconds; Current went a half-mile in 49.40 on Saturday at Palm Beach Downs; The Right Path went a bullet five furlongs in 59.60 on Saturday at Palm Meadows; Tacitus went a halfmile Sunday in 49.60 at Payson Park; and Zenden went five furlongs in 1:01.20 on Friday at Gulfstream.

The Tampa Bay Derby is one of four Kentucky Derby points races set for Saturday across the country, along with the San Felipe at Santa Anita, Gotham at Aqueduct, and Jeff Ruby at Turfway. All will be run during the three-day wagering window into Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which closes Sunday evening.

The 39th Tampa Bay Derby is one of five stakes on a 12-race Festival Day program. The others are the Grade 3, $200,000 Florida Oaks for 3-year-old turf fillies; the Grade 2, $225,000 Hillsborough Stakes for fillies and mares on turf; the $100,000 Challenger for older horses at 1 1/16 miles; and the $75,000 Columbia for 3-year-olds at a mile on turf.

Hawksmoor, a last-out winner of the Grade 3 Endeavour on the Sam Davis undercard for Lael Stables and trainer Arnaud Delacour, will be making her 24th and final career start in the Hillsborough. The 6-year-old Irish-bred mare is expected to face the Chad Brown pair of Environs and Rymska in the 1 1/8-mile turf race.

Listed purses for the three richest stakes of the day include bonuses restricted to registered Florida-breds.

◗ Samy Camacho continues to lead the local jockeys standings by a 90-71 count over Antonio Gallardo in search of his first riding title at Tampa. Gerald Bennett leads all trainers in starts (164), wins (45), and stable earnings ($536,780).