Heart to Heart headlines Tampa Bay Downs' Sam F. Davis undercard

Photo: NYRA/Susie Raisher

Isolating a standout in the nine-horse Tampa Bay Stakes is difficult, but the career accomplishments of 8-year-old horse Heart to Heart could land him the favorite’s role by post time on Saturday's Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) undercard at Tampa Bay Downs.
His 15 career victories include Grade I scores last year in the Maker’s 46 Mile Stakes at Keeneland and the Gulfstream Park Turf Stakes.

Owned by Terry Hamilton and trained by Brian Lynch, Heart to Heart has earned more than $2-million. He will break from the No. 7 post under Julien Leparoux while carrying 121 pounds.

The top weight at 124 pounds is Qurbaan, who won the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch Handicap last summer at Saratoga. Owned by Shadwell Stable and trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, the 6-year-old Qurbaan will break from the No. 4 post under Joe Bravo.

Another likely contender is 6-year-old Inspector Lynley, who displayed a liking for the Oldsmar turf course in winning the Tampa Bay Stakes two years ago. Owned by Stuart S. Janney III and Phipps Stable and trained by Claude “Shug” McGaughey, Inspector Lynley will break from the No. 2 post under Jose Ortiz. Inspector Lynley carries 117 pounds.

The other Tampa Bay Stakes entrants, in post position order, followed by trainer, jockey and weight:

1. Cheyenne’s Colonel, Marcy Brooks, Gary Wales, 117; 3. Divisidero, Kelly Rubley, Jevian Toledo, 119; 5. Irish Strait, H. Graham Motion, Jorge A. Vargas, Jr., 117; 6. Admiralty Pier, Barbara Minshall, Declan Cannon, 117; 8. My Bariley, Anthony Granitz, Samy Camacho, 119.

Endeavour Stakes

The Lambholm South Endeavour has attracted a field of 11, with Irish-bred 6-year-old mare Hawksmoor among the top contenders despite a frustrating nine-race losing streak that includes five seconds. Her last victory came in the Grade 2 New York Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets at Belmont in June of 2017.

Owned by Lael Stables and trained by Delacour, Hawksmoor will break from the No. 6 post under Javier Castellano while carrying 116 pounds.

Also adding international flavor is French-bred 5-year-old Rymska, owned by Madaket Stables, Tom Coleman, Team Hanley and Norton Herrick and trained by Chad Brown. Lightly raced, she won the Grade 3 Athenia Stakes on Oct. 21 at Belmont. Rymska will carry 118 pounds and Jose Ortiz while breaking from the No. 8 post.

The 7-year-old Irish-bred Goodyearforroses has competed against top-level competition, primarily in California, but has not raced since the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar. The Grade 2-winning, Grade 1-placed mare is trained by Brian House. She will break from the No. 9 post under Albin Jimenez and carry 116 pounds.

The remainder of the Lambholm South Endeavour entrants in post position order, followed by trainer, jockey and weight:

1.  
She’s Pretty Lucky, Eddie Kenneally, Feargal Lynch, 116; 2. Get Explicit, Barbara Minshall, Rafael Manuel Hernandez, 116; 3. Bonnie Arch, Ian Wilkes, Antonio Gallardo, 116; 4. Monte Crista, Michael Trombetta, Daniel Centeno, 116; 5. Conquest Hardcandy, Antonio Sano, unnamed, 116; 7. Viva Vegas, Ignacio Correas, IV, Jesus Castanon, 116; 10. Streetwithnoname, Eoin Harty, Declain Cannon, 116; 11. Bombshell, Arnaud Delacour, Jorge A. Vargas, Jr., 118.

Suncoast Stakes

The Suncoast is a “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” points race, awarding points to the top four finishers toward qualifying for the May 3 race at Churchill Downs.

Albert Frassetto’s filly Her Royal Highness, trained by H. Graham Motion, brings a 2-for-3 mark into the race. She will break from the No. 1 post under Jorge A. Vargas, Jr., while carrying 120 pounds.

Co-highweighted is No. 2 Winning Envelope, owned by Lothenbach Stables and trained by Chris Block. She is also 2-for-3, her victories sandwiching a fifth-place finish last summer in the Arlington-Washington Lassie. Carlos Marquez, Jr., is the jockey.

The remainder of the Suncoast field in post position order, followed by trainer and jockey (each of these carries 118 pounds):

2.
 Tapit’s Princess, Happy Alter, Albin Jimenez; 4. Lady Kate, Eddie Kenneally, Jose Ortiz; 5. Sacred Heart, Tim Hamm, Daniel Centeno; 6. Here Comes Jackie, Mike Dini, Willie Martinez; 7. Point of Honor, George Weaver, Javier Castellano; 8. Twixt and Shout, Eoin Harty, Jesus Castanon; 9. Sweet Diane, Michael Stidham, Antonio Gallardo.

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