Knicks Go sitting on go for Sam F. Davis Stakes

Knicks Go was scheduled to have an easy half-mile breeze this weekend at Tampa Bay Downs in final preparation for his 3-year-old debut as the favorite in the Sam F. Davis Stakes next Saturday at the Oldsmar, Fla., track.

Trainer Ben Colebrook said a five-furlong breeze in 58.40 seconds on Jan. 26 “was the big work” for Knicks Go and that all but the finishing touches have been applied ahead of the Grade 3, $250,000 Sam F. Davis, which offers 17 qualifying points (10-4-2-1) toward the May 4 Kentucky Derby.

“I think he’s thriving over the surface,” Colebrook said. “He looks like a stronger horse as a 3-year-old. I’m excited to run him in the Davis.”

Knicks Go, a gray Paynter colt, came to sudden prominence in October by winning the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland at 70-1, then finishing second to Game Winner in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at 40-1. He faded to 11th as a lukewarm favorite in his season finale, the Kentucky Jockey Club in late November.

Knicks Go is one of at least six 3-year-olds likely for the 1 1/16-mile Davis, with the others being Cave Run, Five Star General, Kentucky Wildcat, So Alive, and Well Defined.

The Davis will be one of four stakes on the biggest day so far at the 2018-19 Tampa meet. Entries will be drawn Wednesday. In those other races:

$150,000 Suncoast: At least eight 3-year-old fillies are likely for the mile and 40-yard Suncoast, which is ungraded but nonetheless offers 17 qualifying points (10-4-2-1) toward the May 3 Kentucky Oaks. They are Another Time, Her Royal Highness, Here Comes Jackie, Lady Kate, Sweet Diane, Tapit’s Princess, Twixt and Shout, and Winning Envelope.

Grade 3, $175,000 Tampa Bay Stakes: Heart to Heart is under serious consideration for this 1 1/16-mile turf race for older horses, pending a breeze this weekend, trainer Brian Lynch said. The $2 million earner surely would be favored in a lineup also expected to include Inspector Lynley, Irish Strait, Qurbaan, and possibly Divisidero.

Grade 3, $175,000 Endeavour: Hawksmoor and She’s Pretty Lucky are among a medium-sized field expected for this 1 1/16-mile filly and mare counterpart to the Tampa Bay. Capla Temptress and Rymska are notable possibilities.