Classic Causeway After Derby Points in Tampa Bay Derby
Image:
Description:
Photo: Spencer Tulis/SV Photography
Classic Causeway wins the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs
The 3-year-old colt provided it in abundance, breezing 5 furlongs in :59.95 at Palm Meadows Training Center March 5. Next stop: Tampa Bay Downs, where he will be a big favorite in the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2) March 12.
"We've been fortunate to not miss a beat with him," the trainer said the morning of March 6. "He has had two strong workouts (since the Sam F. Davis), and he is on schedule to go back to a track he really liked. We're looking forward to getting back over there."
Classic Causeway , who is owned by Kentucky West Racing and Clarke M. Cooper, is expected to face at least 10 rivals, including Sam F. Davis runner-up Shipsational in the mile-and-a-sixteenth Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby, which is a major points race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The top four finishers will receive 50, 20, 10, and 5 points toward qualifying for the Run for the Roses May 7 at Churchill Downs.
"He came out of the (Sam F. Davis) very well, he's carrying good weight and he has great energy, so we're counting our blessings," Lynch said. "He seemed to really like the racetrack, so we thought the smart thing was to take him back over there and have a crack at the Tampa Bay Derby."