OLDSMAR, Fla. – Eoin Harty is upbeat by nature, which is why it’s not all that surprising to hear him give Groveland a good chance in the Tampa Bay Derby. “I’m always optimistic,” said Harty, who was here from his main Southern California base to saddle Groveland to a runner-up finish in the Sam F. Davis Stakes as a 21-1 shot. “Especially after his last race. He’s never run a bad race, really. It’s up to him to tell us whether or not he’s capable of running the kind of numbers it’ll take to become a real [Kentucky] Derby prospect or not. Hopefully, he’ll run another big race.” Groveland, with Daniel Centeno back riding, is expected to be among a full gate of 3-year-olds Saturday in the Grade 3, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby, the annual marquee event at Tampa Bay Downs. The Godolphin homebred has been third or better in all five starts, although his Dec. 24 maiden triumph remains his only win. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2023: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more Tapit Trice, a romping winner of a one-mile allowance last month at Gulfstream Park, figures as a clear-cut favorite in the 1 1/16-mile Tampa Derby. He’ll be ridden by Luis Saez for Todd Pletcher. Harty was scheduled to return Thursday evening to Tampa, where he maintains a second string. Groveland figures among the middling wagering choices among the expected starters. In alphabetical order, they are Champions Dream, Classic Car Wash, Classic Legacy, Dreaming of Kona, Freedom Road, Groveland, Mikey Bananas, Prairie Hawk, Shesterkin, Tapit Trice, West Coast Cowboy, and Zydeceaux. Trainer Aldana Spieth said the post-position draw may determine if Dreaming of Kona will actually run. “If we draw too far outside, I will probably scratch,” she said. The Tampa Derby, a 100-point Kentucky Derby qualifier (50-20-15-10-5), will be the last of five Saturday stakes on a 12-race card starting at 12:12 p.m. Eastern. The others are the Grade 2 Hillsborough, the Grade 2 Florida Oaks, the Grade 3 Challenger, and the Columbia. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.