BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Florida-breds El Principito and Everdoit attempt to earn qualifying points towards a starting position in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve when they face the starter in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis. A dozen 3-year-olds are set for the mile-and-a-sixteenth test that offers a purse of $250,000 including a $50,000 Florida-bred win bonus presented by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.
Kentucky Derby Leaderboard points will be awarded to the top five finishers on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis.
Owned and trained by Michael Laurato, El Principito hopes better racing luck will help him improve on his last race when fourth in the $50,000 Pasco won by Book ‘em Danno at Tampa Bay Downs on Jan. 13. That day El Principito and jockey Gabriel Maldonado set the early fractions in the seven-furlong test but had to check in the far turn.
El Principito has won one of six starts with earnings of $25,025 with his lone victory coming in September in his first career start against $25,000 maiden claimers at Gulfstream Park.
Bred by Southwind Stables Inc. El Principito is by Accelerate out of Roxie Fast Moon, by Malibu Moon and twice went through the auction ring at Ocala Breeders’ Sales. Laurato purchased him during the 2022 October Yearling Sale for $20,000 out of the Colin Brennan Bloodstock consignment but El Principito did not meet his reserve the following year during the OBS June Sale when consigned by Gene Recio.
Maldonado gets the return mount for the Sam F. Davis and they have drawn the inside post one.
Everdoit looks to improve on his sixth-place finish in the $150,000 Mucho Macho Man won by Otello going a mile at Gulfstream on Jan. 1.
A homebred for Don Ming, Everdoit broke his maiden against special weight company in his second lifetime start going a mile-and-40-yards at Tampa Bay Downs on Dec. 2. He then finished second to Gotts Got It after a difficult start in a first level, $75,000 optional claiming going six-and-a-half furlongs at Tampa Bay on Dec. 20 before trying the Mucho Macho Man.
Everdoit is by Gary D out of Jaggermama, by High Cotton and has one win and a second in four starts with earnings of $46,750.
Huber Villa-Gomez will ride Everdoit from post eight.
Among the expected favorites for the Sam Davis is Change of Command, who will try to extend his current, two-race win streak.
The son of Into Mischief broke his maiden by six-and-a-half lengths over a good seven furlongs at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 17 and won a first level, $75,000 optional claiming going a mile-and-a-sixteenth at Gulfstream on Jan. 5.
Change of Command will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione from post nine.
Rounding out the Sam F. Davis field are Tireless with rider Antonio Gallardo, Patriot Spirit has Sam Camacho named to ride, Crazy Mason with Mychel Sanchez up, No More Time and jockey Paco Lopez, Jose Ortiz has the mount on Agate Road, Copper Tax will have Charlie Marquez in the saddle, West Saratoga and jockey Jesus Castanon, Fulmineo has Daniel Centeno named to ride and Elysian Meadows with Junior Alvarado aboard.
