Sky Flight taking it to the next level in Tampa Bay Stakes

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Sky Flight, a late-developing Sky Mesa colt who has won 3 of 4 lifetime starts, including the Tropical Park Derby in his last outing, tries graded stakes company for the first time Saturday, when a full field of 12 turf specialists goes postward for the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Stakes at 1 1/16 miles over the Tampa turf course.

Trained by Mark Casse, Sky Flight didn’t make it to the races until September of his 3-year-old year, running fifth in a turf sprint at Kentucky Downs. Treated with Lasix for his next outing at Keeneland, Sky Flight left the winless ranks in a 1 1/16-mile tilt, then followed with a tally over first-level allowance foes at Churchill Downs, again on turf.

Last time out, Sky Flight rallied from well off the pace over a firm Gulfstream Park course and ran down the leaders to post a one-length win in the Tropical Park Derby, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 92.

:: DRF Live: Get real-time updates and insights from DRF reporters and handicappers on Saturday

Super Soldier, a winner of five of his last six starts and a game winner last time out in his first start since October, looks like the chief speed of the headliner. Trained by Michele Boyce, Super Soldier could prove dangerous if allowed to dictate a slow early pace in a field without an abundance of speed types.

Lochte, beaten just three lengths when fifth in the Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale in his first start since November, is another who should be fitter with that race under his belt. The Grade 1 winner has kept some classy company while earning $458,572 lifetime.

Tricky Hat, from the Shug McGaughey barn, will be making his first start since October, and although he spent most of last season racing at longer distances, he races well fresh and is another who has kept some high-profile company in the past.

Old Time Hockey returns from the West Coast and won over the local course last season in the Turf Classic against Florida-breds.

Margano drops out of a pair of graded stakes going longer at Gulfstream and Aqueduct and has a win and a second from three lifetime outings over the Tampa infield course.

KEY CONTENDERS

Super Soldier (Last 3 Beyers: 92-92-93)

◗ If he had not been beaten a head at Hawthorne two races back, he would be entering this race on a six-race win streak. If Luis Garcia can slow things down early, he isn’t the type to give up the lead easily.

Sky Flight (Last 3 Beyers: 92-83-77)

◗ He just keeps getting better with every start, and if he doesn’t bounce off a career-high 92 Beyer, he’s the horse to fear in here.

Margano (Last 3 Beyers: 90-96-93)

◗ He cuts back in distance and drops out of a pair of graded stakes starts, and he should appreciate both changes. He also has a win over a yielding surface, and with rain in the forecast for Friday night into Saturday, a soft course wouldn’t hinder his chances.

Tricky Hat (Last 3 Beyers: 85-88-93)

◗ Sharp efforts off short layoffs might be this one’s most attractive factor for Saturday. He has been racing primarily at longer distances but has some sharp drills at Payson Park for his first start since October.