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Fields set for San Felipe, Tampa Bay Derby, and Swale// Hansen back in KY

Although the San Felipe (G2) is missing some once expected headliners: Sham (G3) winner Out of Bounds (off the trail), Delta Jackpot (G3) winner Sabercat (heading to the Rebel Stakes instead), and highly regarded Fed Biz (stomach cramps), it is still a stronger field as a whole than any recent Kentucky Derby prep.  Out of the ten challengers, two have won graded stakes, four are graded stakes placed, and another is a listed stakes winner. Also, two horses not among that group of seven, Bodemeister and Blingo, come into the race with a lot of Derby buzz based on impressive maiden wins and recent training. Trainer Jack Carava has already stated that his entry American Act is only 50-50 to run in the San Felipe and may wait for the Sunland Derby(G3)// The Tampa Bay Derby (G2) field of twelve appears stronger than its preceding prep race the Sam Davis (G3). Three out of the four top finishers of the Sam Davis return, including winner Battle Hardened, and they will have to face highly touted Take Charge Indy and Todd Pletcher-trained Spring Hill Farm among others. Tampa Bay Downs published an extremely thorough evaluation of past Tampa Bay Derbys and what to look for in this year’s edition by Peter Mallett, and it’s linked below// Ever So Lucky, who has suffered some recent foot bruising, seems on track to make Saturday’s 7-furlong Swale (G2) at Gulfstream. That field drew 10 colts and geldings, with Motor City being the most accomplished based on his win in the Iroquois (G3) at Churchill last Fall.  The distance of the Swale probably suits others instead, but the race is a mere steppingstone to bigger and better things. Todd Pletcher’s Thunder Moccasin was a surprise non-entry in the Swale, and no reason was given as to why the Hutcheson (G2) winner will skip the race// Full entries and a link to pps for all graded races on Saturday can be found below…

San Felipe Stakes (G2)

Tampa Bay Derby (G2)
Preview Articles: Bloodhorse / DRF / Brisnet / Courier Journal

Swale Stakes (G2)
Preview Articles: Bloodhorse / Brisnet / TTimes

Articles
3YOs to watch 3/7 (In The Money Blog)


Works
Majestic Stride- OP- 5F- 1.02:20- B- 5/13
Animal Spirits- FG- 4F- 49:40- B- 15/44


Rankings
DRF Top 20 (DRF)
Top 22 (isportsweb)


Notes and bits from web and Twitter:
“Jack Carava told @HRTVHOST American Act is 50-50 to run in San Felipe. The Sunland Derby is the other option”- HRTVHOST via Twitter

“Groovin Solo and Liaison will run with blinkers off in San Felipe” – TrifectaBox via Twitter