Candy Man Rocket Could Target Tampa Bay Derby

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, who sent out 1-2 finishers Candy Man Rocket and Nova Rags in the Feb. 6 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3), said he hopes to return to Tampa Bay Downs with at least one of the 3-year-old colts March 6 for the $400,000 Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2).

"It was gratifying to see both horses pass the two-turn test," said Mott, who sent his son Riley Mott to Oldsmar, Fla., from South Florida for saddling duties. "They both ran big races and it looked like they were strong at the finish. They came out of the race well, so I think both horses would be possible for the (Tampa Bay Derby)."

The March 6 card will feature five stakes, four graded, worth a total of $1 million in purse money. The other stakes include the $225,000 Hillsborough Stakes (G2T) for older fillies and mares on the turf; the $200,000 Florida Oaks (G3T) for 3-year-old fillies on the turf; the $100,000 Challenger Stakes(G3) for horses 4-years-old and up on the main track; and the $75,000 Columbia Stakes for 3-year-olds on the turf.

The victory by Candy Man Rocket was the first for Mott, jockey Junior Alvarado, and owner Frank Fletcher Racing Operations in the Sam F. Davis. Alvarado also won Saturday's Tampa Bay Stakes (G3T) on the turf with 4-year-old gelding Get Smokin, owned by the Mary Abeel Sullivan Revocable Trust and trained by Thomas Bush.

Alvarado and Mott teamed to finish second with 4-year-old filly New York Girl in the Lambholm South Endeavour Stakes (G3T) won by Counterparty Risk.

Mott said he would prefer Candy Man Rocket and Nova Rags not square off again in the Tampa Bay Derby, run at the identical 1 1/16-mile distance of the Sam F. Davis.

"It would be nice to run one of them there, knowing they both like the track, but maybe we will try to split them up next time," Mott said.

Hidden Stash, who rallied for third, also looks like a good candidate for the Tampa Bay Derby.

Candy Man Rocket came into the Sam F. Davis off a 9 1/4-length maiden special weight score running six furlongs Jan. 9 at Gulfstream Park, while Nova Rags was attempting to duplicate his victory at Tampa Jan. 16 in the seven-furlong Pasco Stakes. The Sam F. Davis winner received 10 qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, while Nova Rags, bred and owned by Michael Shanley, earned four points.

The points increase dramatically for the Tampa BayDerby, with 50, 20, 10, and 5 awarded to the first four finishers.

Mott stressed that both horses still have much to prove before entertaining serious thoughts of making it to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) starting gate May 1.

"I know everybody this time of year is thinking of the Triple Crown, but there is still a long road ahead for that," said Mott, who finished 1-3 in the 2019 Run for the Roses with Country House  (moved up via disqualification) and that year's Tampa Bay Derby winner, Tacitus. "You just have to take things one step at a time. Put it this way: I think both horses earned their way into another prep race."