Yes, I can: Shammy Davis story continues

Nearly all the horses who ran in the 1997 Kentucky Derby are no longer running. But one old-timer is still active - and still winning races.

Shammy Davis, an 8-year-old Pennsylvania-bred horse, defeated $3,500 claimers last week at Penn National Race Course. His share of the $4,200 purse raised his career bankroll to $300,990.

Five years ago, Shammy Davis, then in the barn of Nick Zito, earned a berth in the Derby after finishing third in the Grade 2 Jim Beam Stakes and fourth in the Grade 2 Lexington Stakes.

In the Derby, Shammy Davis flashed brief speed, but faded to 12th behind the victorious Silver Charm. He made just two more starts as a 3-year-old and then didn't run again until June 22, 1998.

Since then, Shammy Davis has run 30 times, competing at distances ranging from 5 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/4 miles. His overall record is 10-4-6 in 42 starts.

The victory in last week's mile-and-70-yard race for trainer John Zimmerman came in his first start since May 1, 2001. But the lack of activity and his advanced age didn't scare away anybody from taking a chance on Shammy Davis. He was claimed out of the race by trainer Robert Lopez.

* Leading rider Clinton Potts and his veteran agent, George Kubica, are moving to Delaware Park. Potts will be riding often for Scott Lake, the nation's second leading trainer in wins.

Kubica has conducted business at Penn National for nearly two decades. He handled Robert Colton's book when he dominated the track's jockey standings in the 1980's and had two other prominent Penn riders, Jose Flores and Potts, in the 1990's. Colton and Kubica will be reunited at Delaware.