Independence Hall ready for Sam Davis

At least six challengers are expected for heavily favored Independence Hall when entries are drawn Wednesday at Tampa Bay Downs for the Sam F. Davis Stakes.

The Grade 3, $250,000 Sam Davis will be run Saturday at Tampa in Oldsmar, Fla., as the lone qualifying event of the weekend toward the May 2 Kentucky Derby. The 1 1/16-mile Davis is one of just three 17-point races (10-4-2-1) left on the Derby trail, with all others carrying higher values.

Independence Hall is unbeaten for trainer Mike Trombetta, having won his three starts by a combined 21 lengths. The Constitution colt completed his serious work for the Davis when breezing a half-mile in 48.40 seconds on Sunday at Tampa, where he has been stabled since shortly after winning the Jerome on Jan. 1 at Aqueduct.

“Knock wood, he’s been good,” said Trombetta, who trains Independence Hall for Eclipse Thoroughbreds, Twin Creeks Racing, and Bob and Kathleen Verratti. “We’re as ready as we can be.”

Jose Ortiz will have a return ride on Independence Hall in the Davis. The other confirmed 3-year-olds are Ajaaweed, Albert Park, Chapalu, No Getting Over Me, Sole Volante, and Super John.

Of those, Ajaaweed appears to have the most upside after closing well to finish second by a half-length behind Shotski in his last start at 2, the Remsen on Dec. 7 at Aqueduct. The Curlin colt is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin for owner-breeder Shadwell Stable.

The Davis is the first of two Kentucky Derby points events at the meet, with the annual meet highlight, the Tampa Bay Derby, offering 85 points (50-20-10-5), set for March 7.

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The Davis is one of four stakes on the Festival Preview Day card Saturday. The others are the $150,000 Suncoast, a 17-point qualifying race toward the Kentucky Oaks, and turf twins for older horses, the Tampa Bay and Endeavour, both Grade 3, $175,000 races at 1 1/16 miles.

Easily the most accomplished horse from those undercard events is Got Stormy, a $1.4 million earner who was a 2019 finalist in the female turf division. Among her expected rivals in the Endeavour are Andina Del Sur and either of the Chad Brown pair of Altea and Tapit Today.

Batista to the sidelines

Jockey Jose Batista has been sidelined indefinitely after suffering a concussion in a Sunday race that was declared a no-contest.

Batista’s agent, Steve Elzey, said early Monday that the 22-year-old Panamanian remained under close observation at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa in the aftermath of a spill that came shortly after the start of the sixth race at a mile and 40 yards on the main track. Batista was dislodged after his mount, Malio’s, was cut off in close quarters, and because the jockey was badly dazed and remained prone on the track, the stewards called off the race before it reached the homestretch.

Malio’s, trained by Gerald Bennett, was not seriously injured.

Batista had ridden seven winners in a recent four-day span, Jan. 23-26.

◗ A four-day Tampa race week gets under way Wednesday at 12:40 p.m. Eastern with a modest nine-race card and a forecast of mostly cloudy skies and a high of 78. After a dark Thursday, two allowances are carded for Friday.

Jockey Antonio Gallardo (50 wins) and Bennett (22) enter the week with comfortable leads in their respective categories.