Poster seeks another banner performance in Sam F Davis Stakes

Unbeaten colt Poster looks to lay down an early marker for this year’s Kentucky Derby on his three-year-old return in the Sam F Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday, 8 February.

The Eoin Harty-trained colt was one of four Godolphin homebreds to be nominated for the US Triple Crown, alongside fellow Graded Stakes winners East Avenue, First Resort and Sovereignty.

A debut winner on turf at Ellis Park, Poster readily won a turf allowance race at Keeneland’s Fall Meet before a rallying nose verdict on his first dirt outing in the G2 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct in December.

Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: “Poster has consistently trained well since the breakout win in the G2 Remsen. It hasn’t been plain sailing due to the coldest January in 30-plus years in Kentucky, but Eoin navigated his way through it by availing use of Johnny Burke’s barn at Keeneland, so he didn’t miss any works.

“He indicated his wellbeing with the fastest breeze of the day at Tampa on Sunday. We didn’t get our first-choice jockey, Flavien Prat, but hopefully that won’t make any difference. We expect a bold run and to be able to use this as a building block on the Derby trail.”

Impressive course winner Deloraine goes in search of Kentucky Oaks points on the same card’s Suncoast Stakes, with the Eoin Harty-trained filly having taken an allowance optional claimer by eight and a quarter lengths in December.