Stonestreet Stables' Ocean Knight remained undefeated in two starts and aced both his 3-year-old and stakes debuts Jan. 31, taking the $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
The son of Curlin just got up in time by a neck over determined 28-1 shot Divining Rod in the 1-1/16-mile test, scoring in 1:43.74 on a fast track with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard.
It was the first start for Ocean Knight since his only other outing, a Dec. 13 maiden special weight at Aqueduct Racetrack in which he tallied by 4-1/4 lengths going six furlongs on the inner track. The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee was nevertheless favored at odds of 8-5 in a field of 12 for the Sam F. Davis, and delivered to return $5.20, $3.60, and $3.
"Irad rode him great, but he was wide and he had to make a couple of moves to get position," said Neal McLaughlin, brother and assistant to the winning trainer. "He gutted it out down the stretch. For a lightly raced young horse, it's very exciting. We hope to bring him back here March 7 for the Tampa Bay Derby. We will talk to the owners and are not afraid to go anywhere with him, but if we like the surface here and can have a good experience, why not come back?"
Ortiz set Ocean Knight into a good position tracking the early pace, although his mount was four wide after breaking from post 11. Divining Rod emerged from the hustle for the lead to get the lead from Catalina Red after quarter in :24.29 seconds. He led after a half in :48.75 seconds, and turned for home through three-quarters in 1:12.97 with My Johnny Be Good and the eventual winner looming.
Determined down the length of the stretch, Divining Rod fought against the closing challenge of Ocean Knight in a 1:37.35 mile, but in the end could not withstand his rival's challenge. Ocean Knight eked out the win in the closing strides with Divining Rod second on the inside. The runner-up paid $17.60 and $8.80 while My Johnny Be Good finished five lengths farther back in third, paying $4.40 at odds of 7-2.
Ami's Flatter, second choice Catalina Red, Crittenden, Royal Son, Coomer, Bears Personality, Brother Bobo, Bandages, and G Five completed the order of finish.
Bred in Kentucky by Thor-Bred Stables out of the Stormy Atlantic mare Ocean Goddess, Ocean Knight was a $320,000 purchase from the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s March sale of selected 2-year-olds in training.
"We knew he was fast. He had been hauling everything else around the training center all year long," said Stonestreet owner Barbara Banke, who along with her late husband, Jess Jackson campaigned two-time Horse of the Year Curlin. "[On the turn for home], we thought he had had it. He was clear, but he was wide and it's tough to run down speed.
"Any time I can race a Curlin like this one, I would. They're sturdy and they're fast. It does bring back memories."
The victory marked back-to-back stakes scores for Ortiz, who took the $150,000 Lambholm South Endeavour Stakes via disqualification aboard Testa Rossi.
"This is the first time I've ridden here and to win two stakes is just wonderful," the jockey remarked. "I had ridden this guy before so I knew he would wait until I asked him. We were good from the gate and I was able to get position just outside the lead group.
"Mr. McLaughlin told me he had been training up to the race very well and to just relax, wait with him and set him down into the stretch. When I asked for run he just went after the horse on the lead a like a good horse should. I really hope I get to ride him back in those big races coming up."