The Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs was the most recent Kentucky Derby 2025 points race, and John Hancock gamely turned away Owen Almighty in an exciting stretch run. In this report, I will recap the Sam F. Davis, update the Derby points standings, and share my latest exceptional 11 Derby contenders.
There are two Kentucky Derby points races this weekend. The Grade 2 Risen Star will be run at Fair Grounds on Feb. 15, and the Sunland Derby will be contested at Sunland Park on Feb. 16.
Risen Star field: 1 – American Promise, 2 – Jonathan’s Way, 3 – Vassimo, 4 – East Avenue, 5 – Chunk of Gold, 6 – Seattle Road, 7 – Septarian, 8 – Giocoso, 9 – Built, 10 – Render Judgment, 11 – Jolly Samurai, 12 – Vamos Carlitos, 13 – Magnitude.
Sunland Derby field: 1 – Itsmybirthday (20-1), 2 – Remember Big Jim (12-1), 3 – Smash It (12-1), 4 – Getaway Car (9-5), 5 – Spenard (20-1), 6 – Take Charge Tom (8-1), 7 – McKinzie Street (4-1), 8 – Touchy (7-2), 9 – Caldera (5-1).
Kentucky Derby 2025 Points Race Recaps
Grade 3 Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay (2-8-25): John Hancock ran his record to 2-for-2 with a game front running win in this race. He got clear early under Flavien Prat and battled with Owen Almighty after a half-mile, and those two put on a show in the stretch. John Hancock refused to lose and won by a half-length in a determined effort. Owen Almighty ran a winning race in a clear runner-up finish under Irad Ortiz, Jr., and Poster rallied wide from last of 10 to pick up a show in a useful effort. Camp Hale, Very Bold, Naughty Rascal, Dr Ruben M, Smoken Boy, Treaty of Rome, and Gateskeeper also ran. Brad Cox saddled the winner. Fractions: 22.75, 46.23, 1:10.49, 1:35.65, 1:42.27.
Kentucky Derby 2025 Points Race Results
Iroquois (10-5-3-2-1) – Sept. 14 – Winner: Jonathan’s Way ($4.52)
Champagne (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 5 – Winner: Chancer McPatrick ($3.10)
American Pharoah (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 5 – Citizen Bull ($8.60)
Breeders’ Futurity (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 5 – East Avenue ($7.56)
Street Sense (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 27 – Winner: Sovereignty ($4.86)
BC Juvenile (30-15-9-6-3) – Nov. 1 – Winner: Citizen Bull ($33.80)
Ky Jockey Club (10-5-3-2-1) – Nov. 30 – Winner: First Resort ($14.66)
Remsen (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 7 – Winner: Poster ($11.60)
Springboard Mile (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 13 – Winner: Coal Battle ($15.80)
Los Al Futurity (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 14 – Winner: Journalism ($7.60)
Gun Runner (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 21 – Winner: Built ($9.80)
Jerome (10-5-3-2-1) – Jan. 4 – Winner: Cyclone State ($8.10)
Smarty Jones (10-5-3-2-1) – Jan. 4 – Winner: Coal Battle ($11.00)
Lecomte (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 18 – Winner: Disco Time ($5.80)
Southwest (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 25 – Winner: Speed King ($30.60)
Holy Bull (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 1 – Winner: Burnham Square ($10.60)
Robert Lewis (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 1 – Winner: Citizen Bull ($3.80)
Withers (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 1 – Winner: Captain Cook ($4.90)
Sam F. Davis (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 8 – Winner: John Hancock ($7.00)
Upcoming Derby Points Races Races:
Risen Star (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 15
Sunland Derby (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 16
John Battaglia Memorial (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 22
Rebel (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 22
Fountain of Youth (50-25-15-10-5) – March 1
Gotham (50-25-15-10-5) – March 1
San Felipe (50-25-15-10-5) – March 1
Tampa Bay Derby (50-25-15-10-5) – March 8
Virginia Derby (50-25-15-10-5) – March 15
Jeff Ruby Steaks (100-50-25-15-10) – March 22
Louisiana Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – March 22
Arkansas Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – March 29
Florida Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – March 29
Blue Grass (100-50-25-15-10) – April 5
SA Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – April 5
UAE Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – April 5
Wood Memorial (100-50-25-15-10) – April 5
Lexington (20-10-6-4-2) – April 12
Top 26 Kentucky Derby 2025 Points Leaders (thru 2-12-25)
Citizen Bull (60 points)
Speed King (25 points)
Coal Battle (20 points)
Burnham Square (20 points)
Disco Time (20 points)
Captain Cook (20 points)
John Hancock (20 points)
Built (20 points)
Gaming (18 points)
Getaway Car (16 points)
Poster (16 points)
Jonathan’s Way (15 points)
Owen Almighty (15 points)
Tiztastic (14 points)
Sandman (14 points)
Ferocious (12 points)
Omaha Omaha (11 points)
Chancer McPatrick (10 points)
East Avenue (10 points)
First Resort (10 points)
Poster (10 points)
Journalism (10 points)
Sovereignty (10 points)
Cyclone State (10 points)
Surfside Moon (10 points)
Tappan Street (10 points)
Rodriguez (10 points)
Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven” Kentucky Derby 2025 Contenders (2-12-25)
1 – Sovereignty (Into Mischief – Crowned, by Bernardini) – Trainer: Bill Mott – Last Ranking (1)
Comments: Last year’s Grade 3 Street Sense winner is spending the winter in Florida and is working regularly again after spiking a fever. He has worked a total of four times since 12-24-24. He breezed a half-mile in 49.20 (13/16) at Payson Park on Jan. 31, and went four panels in 49.60 (7/24) on Feb. 7. It was just announced that he would begin his sophomore campaign in the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park on March 1.
2 – Barnes (Into Mischief – All American Dream, by American Pharoah) – Trainer: Bob Baffert – Last Ranking (2)
Comments: Bob Baffert’s sharp San Vicente (G2) winner has worked four times since that race including a 5f bullet in 58.80 (1/47) at Santa Anita Park on Feb. 11. It looks like he will go in the Rebel Stakes on Feb. 22 or the San Felipe a week later.
3 – East Avenue (Medaglia d’Oro – Dance Music, by Ghostzapper) – Trainer: Brendan Walsh – Last Ranking (3)
Comments: Last year’s Breeders’ Futurity (G1) hero has worked six times since stumbling at the start and finishing up the track as the beaten favorite in the BC Juvenile (G1). He breezed a half-mile in 48.80 (19/132) from the gate Feb. 1, and traveled 5f in 1:00.40 (8/40) on Feb. 8. He is entered in the Risen Star (G2) at 1 1/8 miles at Fair Grounds on Feb. 15 and is the 9-5 morning line favorite.
4 – Journalism (Curlin – Mopotism, by Uncle Mo) – Trainer: Michael McCarthy – Last Ranking (4)
Comments: He won both dirt route starts including a sharp score in the Los Al Futurity (G2). He was targeting the Feb. 1 Robert Lewis (G3) but got sick and Michael McCarthy had to call an audible. He has recovered from his small setback and returned to the worktab with a half-mile move in 49.80 (8/13) at Santa Anita on Jan. 23. He worked a half-mile in 48.80 (6.19) on Jan. 30, and went 5f in 59.80 (8/101) on Feb. 9. He might go next in the San Felipe (G2) on March 1.
5 – Citizen Bull (Into Mischief – No Joke, by Distorted Humor) – Trainer: Bob Baffert – Last Ranking (5)
Comments: The 2-year-old champ cruised to easy gate-to-wire wins in the American Pharoah (G1), BC Juvenile (G1), and Robert Lewis Stakes (G3). The latter race was his first start as a 3-year-old and he sped to the front and easily defeated his talented stablemate Rodriguez on Feb. 1. He is a great shape with 60 Derby points and is expected to skip the San Felipe and wait for the SA Derby on April 5.
6 – Rodriguez (Authentic – Cayala, by Cherokee Run) – Trainer: Bob Baffert – Last Ranking (6)
Comments: His two turn maiden win second time out at Santa Anita on Jan. 4 was fast and visually impressive. He chased his stablemate Citizen Bull in a solid runner-up finish in the Robert Lewis Stakes (G3) on Feb. 1. He worked a half-mile in 47.80 (5/56) at Santa Anita on Feb. 11. It looks like he will go in the Rebel Stakes on Feb. 22 or the San Felipe a week later.
7 – Sandman (Tapit – Distorted Music, by Distorted Humor) – Trainer: Mark Casse – Last Ranking (7)
Comments: He messed up the break and ran on nicely for the place in the Southwest (G3), and he could have easily won that race with a better start and trip. That race was on Jan. 25, and he returned to the worktab with a 5f move in 1:01.40 (6/37) on Feb. 9. The Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn on Feb. 22 is his next target.
8 – Bullard (Gun Runner – Reve d’Amour, by Warrior’s Reward) – Trainer: Michael McCarthy – Last Ranking (8)
Comments: The late running Bob Hope (G3) winner was a flat third behind Barnes in the San Vicente (G2). He worked 5f in 1:00.80 (34/101) at Santa Anita on Feb. 9. The Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn on Feb. 22 will be his first start around two turns.
9 – Disco Time (Not This Time – Disco Chick, by Jump Start) – Trainer: Brad Cox – Last Ranking (9)
Comments: Brad Cox’s colt is a perfect 3-for-3 and he stepped up, stretched out, and made the grade in the Lecomte (G3) on Jan. 18. He caught a wet track and rallied wide to get up late. That was a slow race but he overcame a tough trip to win. He had a small setback and will make one more start on the Derby trail in the Louisiana Derby, Arkansas Derby, or Blue Grass.
10 – Captain Cook (Practical Joke – Pow Wow Wow, by Indian Charlie) – Trainer: Rick Dutrow – Last Ranking (10)
Comments: He is developing fast after a romping maiden win (Dec. 28) and a comfortable points race victory in the Withers (G3) on Feb. 1. He will make his next start in the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct on April 5.
11 – Burnham Square (Liam’s Map, Linda, by Scat Daddy) – Trainer: Ian Wilkes – Last Ranking (11)
Comments: This gelding burst onto the scene with a smart off the pace score in the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 1. The Fountain of Youth (G2) at the Gulf on March 1 is his next target.
Next Nine: (12) Chancer McPatrick, (13) Tappan Street, (14) Patch Adams, (15) Hypnus, (16) Speed King, (17) Getaway Car, (18) Coal Battle, (19) John Hancock, (20) Rapture
