Ocean Knight takes long way around to win Sam F. Davis

Ocean Knight remained undefeated with this stakes debut victory (SV Photography) Ocean Knight (Curlin) took the overland route to victory in Saturday’s $250,000 Sam F. Davis S. (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs, the local prelude to next month’s Tampa Bay Derby (G2). Breaking from post 11 under Irad Ortiz Jr., the 8-5 favorite was four wide entering the first turn and remained in that stalking position down the backside. Saving only a minor bit more ground rounding the final turn, the Kiaran McLaughlin trainee steadily advanced through the lane and caught 28-1 longshot Divining Rod (Tapit) very late to win by a neck. Ocean Knight, owned by Stonestreet Stables, paid $5.20 after completing 1 1/16 miles in a time of 1:43 3/5 over a fast track.

“I had ridden (Ocean Knight) before so I knew he would wait until I asked
him,” Ortiz said. “We were good from the gate and I was able to get position
just outside the lead group. Mr. McLaughlin told me he had been training up to
the race very well and to just relax, wait with him and set him down into the
stretch.

“When I asked for run he just went after the horse on the lead a like a good
horse should. I really hope I get to ride him back in those big races coming
up.”

The early pace was set by Catalina Red, who ran the opening quarter in :24
1/5, but Divining Rod took over approaching the half and set later splits of :48
3/5 and 1:12 4/5. At the finish, Divining Rod was five lengths clear of My
Johnny Be Good (Colonel John), who was followed by Ami’s Flatter (Flatter),
Catalina Red (Munnings), Crittenden, Royal Son (Tiznow), Coomer (Midshipman),
Bears Personality (Awesome Again), Brother Bobo (Kantharos), Bandages (Any Given
Saturday), and G Five (Flashy Bull).

This was the second career start for Ocean Knight, who broke his maiden
impressively by 4 1/4 lengths at Aqueduct going six furlongs on December 14.
Bred in Kentucky by Thor-Bred Stables and purchased for $320,000 at the OBS
March two-year-old sale, Ocean Knight has now earned $156,000.

Neal McLaughlin, assistant and brother to Kiaran McLaughlin, said they would
confer with Stonestreet’s Barbara Banke but it is likely Ocean Knight will
return for the March 7 Tampa Bay Derby.

“We are not afraid to go anywhere with him, but if we like the surface here and
can have a good experience, why not come back?” Neal said. “Irad rode him great,
but he was wide and he had to make a couple of moves to get position. He gutted
it out down the stretch. For a lightly raced young horse, it’s very exciting.

“He just took a while to come around last summer; no big problems, just little
things to get him to the gate and through the process,” he added.

Ocean Knight was produced by the winning Ocean Goddess (Stormy Atlantic), a
half-sister to stakes winner Libby’s Halo (Halo’s Image) and the stakes-placed
Mister Alimony (Skip Trial). This extended family produced Grade 3 winners
Winter Melody (Frosty the Snowman) and Godmother (Show’em Slew).

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com