OLDSMAR, Fla. – Chance It and Sole Volante are among a multitude of Atlantic Coast shippers expected Saturday for the annual marquee race at Tampa Bay Downs, the Grade 2, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby.

With entries for all Saturday races being drawn Wednesday, at least 10 3-year-olds are expected for the 1 1/16-mile Tampa Bay Derby, which offers 85 qualifying points (50-20-10-5) toward the May 2 Kentucky Derby. Chance It, scratched Saturday from the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park, is expected to vie for favoritism with Sole Volante, winner of the Feb. 8 Sam F. Davis at Tampa.

Mr. Monomoy, who won a division of the Risen Star Stakes on Feb. 15 at Fair Grounds, essentially securing a spot in the Kentucky Derby with the 50 Derby qualifying points he earned there, is out of training and off the Triple Crown trail.

Mr. Monomoy has a relatively minor ankle injury diagnosed after he came back from a routine gallop last week carrying heat in the joint, according to Liz Crow, who, through BSW-Crow Bloodstock serves as Mr. Monomoy’s racing manager for owners Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, and Doheny Racing Stable.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. scratched his top  3-year-old prospect Chance It from Saturday’s Grade 2 Fountain of Youth, citing the poor post position as the reason for bypassing the important Kentucky Derby prep with a horse who was among the leading contenders in the 1 1/16-mile fixture. Chance It will now run next Saturday in the Tampa Bay Derby.

Crossfirehurricane remained unbeaten after three starts with a half-length win over stablemate Choice of Mine in Friday’s $82,500 Patton Stakes at Dundalk Racecourse in Ireland, the first race of the year in the European qualifying series for the Kentucky Derby.

The first two finishers are trained by Joseph O’Brien. Crossfirehurricane, a Kentucky-bred colt by Kitten’s Joy, races for Scott Heider.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Storm the Court, the champion 2-year-old male of 2019 who was fourth in the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes on Feb. 9, is likely to start in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 7 at Santa Anita.

Trainer Peter Eurton and the partnership that owns the colt had considered races such as the Rebel Stakes on March 14 at Oaklawn Park, but Eurton said Friday that the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles has appeal.

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – Spa City, winner of a highly rated maiden race on Feb. 8 at Gulfstream Park, is heading to stakes competition next, with the Tampa Bay Derby on March 7 his target. He had his final work for that race Friday morning here at the Palm Meadows training center, when he went five furlongs in 1:00.85 under exercise rider Rob Massey.

:: DERBY WATCH: Top 20 Kentucky Derby contenders with comments from Jay Privman and Marty McGee

1. Chance It
2. As Seen on Tv
3. Dennis’ Moment

CHANCE IT couldn't be training better, but obviously the post-position draw is a major issue in a bulky lineup swelled by several who really have no right to be in this spot. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione will have to be at his absolute best if forced to work out a trip from this far out with such a short run to clubhouse turn.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – As Dennis’ Moment galloped around the track the other morning at Gulfstream Park, neck bowed, eager to do more, a visitor with trainer Dale Romans remarked at how well his colt looked.

:: Fountain of Youth Day 2020: News, analysis, picks, past performances, and more

“Put that in there, so they know it’s not just me BSing,” Romans said.

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - Tiz the Law, the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby, missed a couple of works this month after he sprung a shoe, but should be back on the work tab no later than Monday, trainer Barclay Tagg said Thursday at the Palm Meadows training center, where he is based this winter.

:: DERBY WATCH: Top 20 Kentucky Derby contenders with comments from Jay Privman and Marty McGee

The spring meet at Churchill Downs, which is, of course, highlighted by the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May, will feature a new placement for the Stephen Foster Stakes and the creation of several new stakes, the Louisville track announced on Thursday.

In total, the 38-day spring meet will include 41 stakes worth a record $14 million. The meet runs from April 25 through June 27.