Premier Star joins fray in Sam F. Davis

OLDSMAR, Fla. – The Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes, the only Kentucky Derby qualifier this weekend, got an unexpected measure of intrigue when Premier Star became a late addition to the lineup.

With Premier Star facing off against favored Independence Hall and perhaps six other 3-year-olds Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs, the $200,000 Sam Davis will have two unbeaten colts in the field. Entries for the race were being taken Wednesday.

Premier Star, with John Velazquez riding for trainer Jorge Navarro, will be making his stakes debut after earning Beyer Speed Figures of 82 and 85 in winning a December maiden race and a January allowance, both going seven furlongs at Gulfstream Park. Navarro also had been considering running Premier Star in the Risen Star on Feb. 15 at Fair Grounds.

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Independence Hall will have Jose Ortiz aboard for trainer Mike Trombetta, who was due to return here Thursday afternoon from his Maryland base. Independence Hall has won his three starts by a combined 21 lengths, including the Nov. 3 Nashua and Jan. 1 Jerome at Aqueduct. Starting with his September debut, the Constitution colt has earned Beyers of 82, 101, and 82.

The 1 1/16-mile Sam Davis is one of the last 17-point (10-4-2-1) qualifiers toward the May 2 Kentucky Derby. The Feb. 15 El Camino Real Derby and Feb. 17 Southwest are the only other remaining 17-point races, with all other preps offering higher point values.

Besides the two unbeaten runners, a third Sam Davis starter also figures to draw serious attention from bettors – Ajaaweed, who will have Joel Rosario in from California to ride for owner-breeder Shadwell Stable and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Ajaaweed will be making his 3-year-old debut after closing stoutly to finish second to Shotski in his last start, the Dec. 7 Remsen at Aqueduct.

The rest of the Davis field was expected to include Albert Park, Chapalu, No Getting Over Me, Sole Volante, and Super John.

Chapalu, locally based with trainer Arnaud Delacour, is an unknown quantity over dirt. The Flatter colt ended his juvenile season with a pair of October wins, in a maiden race on the Keeneland turf and the Grey Stakes on the Woodbine synthetic.

“The way he’s been training here would indicate that he will be okay on dirt,” Delacour said, referring to eight workouts since mid-December over the local surface. “We’re just trying to check that box. He’s a quality horse, and if it doesn’t work out on the dirt we can go back for a campaign on the turf.”

Among the other out-of-town jockeys expected here Saturday are Julien Leparoux and Tyler Gaffalione.