Horse Racing News is the source of thoroughbred racing information with horse racing odds, betting tips, racing picks, race results, and handicapping. Latest news and articles on top horse racing contenders, jockeys, trainers, three-year-olds, race tracks, and major stakes races such as the Triple Crown races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes as well as the Breeders' Cup horse races.Kentucky Derby Prep Race Results: General Quarters Wins Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs
Posted on Saturday, February 14th, 2009
General Quarters proved the best of a field of 11 in Saturday’s $225,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs.
A son of Sky Mesa bred in Kentucky by Mr. and Mrs. R. David Randal, General Quarters is owned by Thomas McCarthy and was conditioned to victory by Mark L. Miller with jockey James Lopez in the irons.
General Quarters stalked the field throughout the 1 1/16 miles race, moving to the lead mid-stretch to win by 3 1/2 lengths. Sumo was second and Musket Man completed the trifecta, which paid $6,783.60 for a $2 wager.
General Quarters’ jockey James Lopez said of his ride in the Sam F. Davis, “We had a dream run; I sat in behind the leader and just stayed there until it was time to go and he went! He had stopped on me sprinting in the last two races but I probably had him on the lead too soon. So I learned something and he learned something. He was just reaching out at the end, and yes, I am sure he can get the next sixteenth. This guy has a big future!”
Race horse trainer Mark Miller earned his first career stakes win with his victory in the Sam F. Davis Stakes. He said of his win, “I’m just real proud of him. He proved a lot today. I’m looking at the Tampa Bay Derby, as long as everything’s OK. That’s the next step
. Mr. McCarthy claimed him in Kentucky, and I was stabled next to him – that’s how we met. He sent the horse down here to me, and General Quarters just loves it here. He loves the track; this is the best place to be in the winter time. The track surface, the people, the atmosphere? the horse just loves it. And that’s all we’re trying to do: keep him happy. He seems to be on the improve.”
Owner Thomas McCarthy said he is very hands-on with his colt. “I’m the groom- I’m out here every day, and we (Miller and McCarthy) work as a team. I sent General Quarters down to Mark, and we correspond, and when I got down here, I just started rubbing him.” Miller interjected, “He’s the best groom I’ve got!”
McCarthy added, “The next step will possible be the Tampa Bay Derby, then the Bluegrass, and then hopefully to the (Kentucky) Derby.”
Free Country was fourth in Tampa Bay Downs’s Sam F. Davis Stakes followed by A. P. Cardinal, Top Seed, Atomic Rain, Cliffy’s Future, Medaglia d’Onore, Mitchell Park and Player’s List.
Horse racing news edited from www.tampabaydowns.com.
Tags: A. P. Cardinal, Atomic Rain, Cliffy's Future, Free Country, General Quarters, Medaglia d'Onore, Mitchell Park, Musket Man, Player's List, Sumo, Top Seed
"Kentucky Derby Prep Race Results: General Quarters Wins Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs" was posted on Saturday, February 14th, 2009 at 11:14 pm and is filed under Horse Racing Industry, Horses, Race Tracks News, Results & Payouts, Stakes Races, Tampa Bay Downs, Triple Crown, USA Horse Racing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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