Renegade sharp in Sam F. Davis comeback

Feb 07, 2026 James Scully

Renegade wins the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. (Photo by SV Photo)

Renegade rated well off the early pace, rallied wide into contention on the far turn, and took over in the stretch of Saturday’s $210,000 Sam F. Davis, powering away to a 3 3/4-length victory in the Road to the Kentucky Derby Challenge series qualifier at Tampa Bay Downs. Irad Ortiz Jr. rode for two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Todd Pletcher, who earned a record-extending eighth Davis win.

By Into Mischief, who notched a record-tying third Kentucky Derby win as a sire when Sovereignty captured last year’s Run for the Roses, Renegade went winless from three starts in 2025 but finished first before being disqualified in a November maiden race two starts back, edging well-regarded Kentucky Derby contender Paladin. Renegade then finished second to Paladin in December’s Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct.

Renegade bolstered his Kentucky Derby credentials in the Davis and completed the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:43.54 as the 6-5 favorite. He’s owned by Mike Repole and Robert and Lawana Low.

Renegade, renegade 💃📱

RENEGADE launched on the outside and dances in the Sam F. Davis and picks up 20 @kentuckyderby points! 🌹

Todd Pletcher trains and @iradortiz was aboard!

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/DMZZucgcar

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 7, 2026

The top five finishers in the Davis received points on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale, and Renegade moved to second on the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard with 25 points.

Wayne’s Law, the second-longest shot among nine runners at 48-1 odds, held for second after setting a pressured pace, finishing 2 1/4 lengths better than The Puma, who experienced a less-than-favorable trip finishing third.

Game for It and Epic Desire came next in fourth and fifth, and Ocelli, Confessional, Dr. Kapur, and Max Capacity completed the order of finish.

His next start remains uncertain, but Renegade is eligible to train up to the final round of major Kentucky Derby qualifiers following a sharp comeback triumph in the Davis.