Chance It's sights recalibrated on Tampa Bay Derby

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Chance It and Sole Volante are among a multitude of Atlantic Coast shippers expected Saturday for the annual marquee race at Tampa Bay Downs, the Grade 2, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby.

With entries for all Saturday races being drawn Wednesday, at least 10 3-year-olds are expected for the 1 1/16-mile Tampa Bay Derby, which offers 85 qualifying points (50-20-10-5) toward the May 2 Kentucky Derby. Chance It, scratched Saturday from the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park, is expected to vie for favoritism with Sole Volante, winner of the Feb. 8 Sam F. Davis at Tampa.

Chance It had his final pre-race work when breezing a half-mile early Monday at Gulfstream with Tyler Gaffalione aboard. The Florida-bred colt was scratched by trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. from the Fountain of Youth because he would have started from the outside in post 11, but in something of an ironic twist, the race was won easily by Ete Indien, who broke swiftly from post 10 to make all the pace.

“We have no regrets about scratching, absolutely none,” Joseph said. “There are a lot of ways you can look at it, but one horse crossed over and cleared, but that’s much more difficult for two. I compare it to running a red light – one can go through, but probably not two. Anyway, we made a decision and we’re looking forward to running at Tampa.”

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The Monday work went in 47.46 seconds, with a five-furlong out time of 1:00.42, according to Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Welsch.

“It went great,” Joseph said. “He went as easy as he could go.”

Sole Volante is trained by Patrick Biancone, who also trains Ete Indien. Luca Panici won the Davis aboard Sole Volante, but Florent Geroux, who rode Ete Indien in an 8 1/2-length romp in the Fountain of Youth, will have the mount with Panici recovering from a collarbone fracture suffered Feb. 21 at Gulfstream.

All other Tampa Bay Derby contenders also will ship over from the other side of the Florida peninsula.

Todd Pletcher, a five-time Tampa Bay Derby winner, said he expects to run two or three from among Market Analysis, Palm Springs, and Texas Swing. Both Mike Maker (Mo Mosa and Relentless Dancer) and Ian Wilkes (Letmeno and Violent City) will have two starters, with Spa City and King Guillermo rounding out a prospective lineup limited to 12.

Missing from the Tampa Bay Derby is Independence Hall, second as the odds-on favorite in the Davis. Trainer Mike Trombetta had considered two more Kentucky Derby preps for the once-beaten colt before settling on just one, the March 28 Florida Derby at Gulfstream.

“We’re looking at the long term,” Trombetta said. Running twice “could have been a matter of push now and pay later, if that makes sense.”

Independence Hall will continue to train at Tampa until being shipped to Gulfstream ahead of a final pre-race work.

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The 40th Tampa Bay Derby will be one of five stakes on an outstanding 12-card. Here’s a quick rundown of the other races:

Grade 2, $200,000 Hillsborough

Starship Jubilee, the standout 7-year-old with 16 wins and $1.35 million in earnings, is the likely favorite for this 1 1/8-mile turf race for fillies and mares. Her opposition in a sizable field is expected to include Jehozacat, an upset winner of the Feb. 8 Endeavour here, and as many as three of the four nominated by Chad Brown.

Grade 3, $150,000 Florida Oaks

Walk In Marrakesh will make her first start since finishing second by a nose last September in the Grade 1 Natalma when part of a large field of 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles on the turf. Other top contenders include Micheline, Outburst, and the unbeaten New York Groove.

Grade 3, $100,000 Challenger

King for a Day, best known for upsetting Maximum Security last June in the Pegasus at Monmouth Park, will be making his first start in nearly eight months when he faces War Story, Admiralty Pier, Big Dollar Bill, and a few other older horses in this 1 1/16-mile dirt race.

$75,000 Columbia

A big field of 3-year-olds is shaping up for this one-mile turf race, with perhaps Chapalu and Mr. Kringle the most notable names.

A sixth Saturday race, the $36,500 Manatee, has Black-Eyed Susan winner Point of Honor among the nominees, but trainer George Weaver said she will not be entered.

Purses listed here do not include additional bonuses available to registered Florida-breds. For example, the Tampa Bay Derby and Florida Oaks both offer as much as $50,000 in bonuses.