Photo:

Juliana Colombo/ Eclipse Sportswire

The $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs turned into a two-horse race from the moment the gate was sprung on Saturday, as John Hancocke and Owen Almighty dueled to deep stretch before the former pulled clear in the final yards to post a half-length victory.

Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Flavien Prat, John Hancock improved his record to 2-for-2 and raised his prospects for a Kentucky Derby start by setting a stakes record of 1:42.27 for the 1 1/16-mile race.

John Hancock, a son of Constitution, owned by CHC and WinStar Farm, broke alertly from post 3 in the 10-horse field, and raced head-to-head with Owen Almighty to his outside into the first turn. 

The colt opened a lead of a little more than a length at the top of the stretch, but Owen Almighty soon re-engaged the leaders as Naughty Rascal sat in third just behind the leading pair entering the far turn.

The winner, narrowly favored over Owen Almighty at 5-2, returned $7 on a $2 win ticket. Previously unbeaten Poster closed late to finish third, just over two lengths behind Owen Almighty. Camp Hale and Very Bold completed the top five finishers.

The race lost its Grade 3 rating this year but still delivered Kentucky Derby point to the top five finishers on 20-10-6-4-2 basis.

This article will be updated.