John Hancock won the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, earning his first 20 points toward the Kentucky Derby 2025. Despite this victory, trainer Brad Cox is considering skipping the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby to give John Hancock more time between starts after his hard effort in the Sam F. Davis. Races with better spacing include the Louisiana Derby, Arkansas Derby, Florida Derby, Blue Grass, and Wood Memorial, all offering 100 points to the winner.
John Hancock, in only his second career start, defeated Owen Almighty in a long duel to win the Sam F. Davis Stakes by a half-length in stakes-record fashion. Cox had previously backed off training John Hancock last summer due to movement issues, but he returned to training in the autumn and won his Jan. 8 debut at Tampa Bay Downs. The decision to skip the Tampa Bay Derby is to ensure John Hancock is well-rested and prepared for future prep races leading up to the Kentucky Derby.
The Louisiana Derby, Arkansas Derby, Florida Derby, Blue Grass, and Wood Memorial are all later prep races that offer 100 points to the winner, virtually guaranteeing them a spot in the Kentucky Derby. John Hancock’s victory in the Sam F. Davis Stakes has put him on the path to potentially competing in these races and earning a spot in the prestigious Kentucky Derby.
