Tampa Bay Downs’ Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve kicks off Saturday with the Sam F. Davis Stakes. A springboard to the March 8 Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby, the Sam F. Davis is also a solid first step toward a starting spot in the run for the roses as it awards 20-10-6-4-2 qualifying points to the top 5 finishers in the 1 1/16-mile stakes.

1. Camp Hale (20-1 morning-line odds): He’s been second in all three career starts. Rare for a maiden to win a stakes, but it’s more likely at an early age. He was second to Mucho Macho Man Stakes winner Guns Loaded, so figuring in the exotics may not be out of the question.

JOCKEY: Brian J. Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Ian Wilkes

2. Treaty of Rome (6-1): Closed nicely for second in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes, missing by a neck. Seems to be getting better with each start and should be a top contender.

JOCKEY: Dylan Davis; TRAINER: Chad Brown

3. John Hancock (3-1): Was a sharp debut winner over the track, which is always helpful. Will extend from 6 ½ furlongs to 1 1/16 miles but has the pedigree for it. Deserves strong consideration.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Brad Cox

4. Dr Ruben M (12-1): Tired and finished fourth in the Remington Park Springboard Mile after pressing the pace. Should be on or near the lead but may not like this distance.

JOCKEY: Junior Alvarado; TRAINER: Doug O’Neill

5. Gateskeeper (30-1): Another maiden after two tries. Has a second and a third but seems the slower of the two maidens.

JOCKEY: David Cohen; TRAINER: S. Jade Cunningham

6. Owen Almighty (2-1): Crossed the finish line first in the Pasco Stakes here but was disqualified and placed fifth for interference. Set a fast pace in the seven-furlong Pasco and may find the softer fractions here to his liking.

JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Brian Lynch

Prat and Poster after Remsen victory. (Walter Wlodarczyk/NYRA)

7. Poster (4-1): Won his dirt debut while staying unbeaten when taking the Remsen Stakes, which has become a key race for 2-year-olds. Shows a bullet workout on this track and seems set for a sharp try here.

JOCKEY: Antonio Gallardo; TRAINER: Eoin Harty

8. Naughty Rascal (6-1): Was declared the winner of the Pasco after the disqualification of Owen Almighty. Has never been worse than third in six career starts, but the distance may be a tad long for him.

JOCKEY: Edwin Gonzalez; TRAINER: Gerald Bennett

9. Smoken Boy (20-1): Makes his United States debut after racing in Puerto Rico. Won a stakes there by 9 ¼ lengths last time, but it’s hard to gauge how he fits in here.

JOCKEY: Paco Lopez; TRAINER: Jose D’Angelo

10. Very Bold (20-1): Moved up to second in the Pasco, but was 5 1/2 lengths behind Owen Almighty. Added distance will help him, but he drew a tough post.

JOCKEY: Jesus Castanon; TRAINER: Eoin Harty

THE PICK: Treaty of Rome

LIVE LONGSHOT: Camp Hale

SUPERFECTA: 2-7-3-6