Tampa Bay Derby 2017: Odds and Picks

Saturday’s $350,000 Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby is ripe for the picking. With McCraken and Classic Empire away, a field of 10 three-year-olds have stepped up to the 1 1/16 miles test. In the wake of their absence, the big 2017 Kentucky Derby points awarded look even more appealing.

For Tampa Bay Derby picks, check out Tampa Bay Derby 2017: Odds and Analysis from Zipse at the Track. Post positions and morning line odds for the field are below as seen on the HRN Stakes Tracker.

In the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis, the last prep race at Tampa Bay Downs, Tapwrit made a late run to close for second behind McCraken. With no McCraken this time, Tapwrit’s chances to earn the winner’s 50 points look even better. Leading sire Tapit has sent several colts down the Kentucky Derby trail, but none have worn the roses yet. If Tapwrit pulls through on Saturday, he could be another son of Tapit with the chance to pull off the feat.

Hoping to bounce back from a disappointing sixth in the Sam F. Davis is No Dozing. The son of Union Rags had four consistent starts as a two-year-old, but his three-year-old debut did not match up with expectations. No Dozing is in need of a comeback to secure a spot in the starting gate the first Saturday in May. At two, he made up ground late to finish a good fourth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity and second in the Grade 2 Remsen, but his efforts only rewarded him a total of five points, which is still one point ahead of Taprwit.

State of Honor, third in the Sam F. Davis after running on the lead, will also be returning in the Tampa Bay Derby. The colt will be facing another familiar rival, Sonic Mule. Both colts made their three-year-old debut in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes, where Sonic Mule finished just a head in front, and next finished third in the Grade 2 Swale. Although Sonic Mule was the winner between the two in January, State of Honor’s previous two-turn experience could give him the advantage.

By Christine Oser