Groveland runner-up in G3 Sam F Davis Stakes

Groveland ran another strong race at Tampa Bay Downs, USA, with a rallying second in the G3 Sam F Davis Stakes on Saturday, 11 February.

The Street Sense colt, making his Graded debut on the back of three good efforts at the course, broke smartly and raced in a close fifth as several horses contested the early lead.

Groveland went fourth after the first quarter-mile and progressed to a clear second behind Zydeceaux down the back straight.

Litigate passed Groveland as he made a sweeping move around the field turning in, with the Godolphin homebred battling strongly down the inside to regain the runner-up spot from Zydeceaux approaching the final half-furlong.

Groveland saw out the extended mile well and crossed the line a length and a quarter behind Litigate, earning the Eoin Harty-trained three-year-old eight Kentucky Derby qualifying points.

Eoin Harty said: “Groveland has yet to run badly in his career and ran a super race. I haven’t spoken to Michael Banahan [Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA] about our next step yet but the rational choice would be to stay here for the G2 Tampa Bay Derby next month. The main track at Tampa Bay gets a bit of getting used to, which can give homefield horses an advantage.”