Citizen Bull, Burnham Square, and Captain Cook – those guys all looked pretty good in last weekend’s Derby preps, but it bears remembering we’re still in early February. The Withers, won by Captain Cook, has not been a meaningful Derby prep at all, and the Holy Bull, won by Burnham Square, has not much impacted the Derby since Barbaro won both races in 2006. That was the last year the Sam F. Davis Stakes had Derby consequences, with Davis winner Bluegrass Cat finishing second in the Derby. Let’s see if anything changes. Sam F. Davis The 2023 Remsen, Dornoch over Sierra Leone, marked a break from the race’s reputation as a spawning ground for horses to bet against the following winter and spring. The 2024 Remsen might revert to form. Poster, off turf Beyer Speed Figures in the 60s, eked out a win over Aviator Gui, who came into the race with a 66-73-65 Beyer pattern. I’m unsure either horse has the goods. Poster’s the one in question, and not only does the Remson shadow him, but a sustained Arctic blast in Kentucky cost Poster considerable training toward his 3-year-old debut. Trainer Eoin Harty has gone winless over the last five years from 14 3-year-olds who went off 4-1 or lower in dirt routes. :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now. Treaty of Rome has the right kind of developmental arc but has not run fast, and Guns Loaded’s Holy Bull clunker did not flatter him. Owen Almighty probably leads the field in natural ability, unless debut winner John Hancock is special. Owen Almighty’s dam wanted to run long on dirt, but looking at him, one wonders if he does. He’ll show speed, and, on paper, there’s too much of that for the pace to hold up. Very Bold, Harty’s longer-priced entrant, nearly got the call. Improving steadily if you cross out his Tapeta misstep, Very Bold was going best the final half-furlong of the Pasco and galloped out in front. He subsequently turned in the fastest workout of his career over a surface that wasn’t quick. But I’ll try the Puerto Rican horse, Smoken Boy. Obviously, the question here concerns quality, but while Camarero Racetrack won’t be confused with Royal Ascot, Smoken Boy appears to have beaten decent rivals. His last-start performance, his two-turn debut, really caught the eye. Smoken Boy had displayed some speed in his maiden sprint win, but in the route stakes sat mid-pack before unleashing a furious burst on the far turn. He won by open lengths despite shying from something in midstretch – thus the addition of blinkers for his new trainer. We have one workout video available, Smoken Boy on Jan. 25 going better than Hop Sing, a 4-year-old two-start maiden with an 80 Beyer from his debut. Is Smoken Boy in the same league as the better Davis horses? The price should be right to find out, as should his trip. San Marcos Since he’s a 7-year-old with 25 starts, Easter might be a lost cause when it comes to dropping his head and relaxing during the early and middle portions of his races. But I’ll say this: Easter has improved at switching off in his recent starts, all under jockey Antonio Fresu, and if he’ll settle at all, he can win the San Marcos. Consider this a class drop for Easter, who has consistently faced stronger SoCal competition in the eight- to nine-furlong range. Can he stay 10 furlongs? I’m saying yes. Easter regularly has turned in finishing splits as fast or faster than any of his foes, and he has galloped out in front in all his recent races. He’s sitting on one of his better performances – and perhaps his first win since December 2023. :: Santa Anita Clocker Reports are available every race day. Access now. Bayakoa Brendan Walsh’s stable has been going great guns – but not at Oaklawn. Walsh in a training career dating to 2012 has run six horses at Oaklawn. Loved marks his seventh and will go off far shorter than her 9-5 morning line. I’m skeptical she reproduces her strong Kentucky form from the end of 2024, and Little Jamie can spring the upset. A project horse who seems to possess more talent than she’d shown racing, Little Jamie scored a breakthrough win last out. A filly who consistently has raced forwardly, Little Jamie settled mid-pack and launched a strong, sustained rally while losing ground on the far turn. Saturday, she should get a favorable setup, has a win over the track, and can get the better of the odds-on favorite. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.