Fields taking shape for Skyway Festival stakes

Fields are taking shape for the three stakes that comprise the Skyway Festival Day program Saturday at Tampa. The $125,000 Pasco Stakes, which usually produces a starter for two for the Sam F. Davis Stakes (Feb. 10), is expected to have at least three stakes winners in its lineup of 3-year-olds – He Hate Me, Driven by History, and Awaken.

The Pasco will be run at seven furlongs, as will its sister race, the $125,000 Gasparilla for 3-year-old fillies. Among the likely starters for the Gasparilla are Almond Roca, a romping winner of the Sandpiper last month for Graham Motion, along with Homemade Salsa and Barrier Island.

The third stakes, the $50,000 Wayward Lass, will have Tapa Tapa Tapa as the likely favorite among filly and mare routers.

Saturday entries will be taken and drawn Wednesday.