The Friday feature in Oldsmar, Sam F Davis Eve, is a tricky allowance/optional test for older horses going 1-1/16 miles, a field of eight we’ve narrowed down to three, then three down to one.
Check out Spalding’s maiden win at Gulfstream Park, JAN 5, Race 4 to see why. We just don’t believe this is the proper spot for trying to reinvent the wheel.
Following the maiden breaker, Shug McGaughey worked the son of Nyquist four times as the Hall of Famer is looking to added experience and more foundation to this $400,000 purchase.
Lasix has helped this colt turn the corner in his last two efforts, his last a two-turn debut. Shug is a whopping 32% with the last 84 winners he shipped north from the Payson training center.
Javier Castellano, presumably in town to ride Shipsational for Eddie Barker in the Davis, takes a return call on the newly turned 4-year-old.
Taking Spalding (9-5) to win, no price restrictions, and keying exactas with in-form Vicarage (3-1) and Gerald Bennett claim, fast-working Bold Paynter, exiting a key race. Super exotic players can add Island Boy (8-1) to the mix.
