The Cliff's Edge runs second at Sam Davis

Kaufy Mate holds off Derby hopeful by 1 3/4 lengths

Belmont Stakes

Video

Filly wins Preakness thriller
Rachel Alexandra holds off Derby winner Mine That Bird to become first female to win race since 1924.

NBC Sports

Video

Preakness Overhead Cam
May 16: Watch Rachel Alexandra hold off Mine That Bird on the overhead cam.

NBC Sports

updated 8:15 p.m. ET Feb. 21, 2004

OLDSMAR, Fla. - Kaufy Mate held off a late charge from Kentucky Derby hopeful The Cliff’s Edge to win the $100,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs by 1¾ lengths Saturday.

Making his first start since winning the Kentucky Jockey Club on Nov. 29 at Churchill Downs, The Cliff’s Edge was the 1-2 favorite despite starting from the outside post.

He broke last in the 11-horse field and was forced to go six-wide at one point. He managed to pass most of the field but didn’t have enough to get by Kaufy Mate, a 3-year-old colt ridden by Ramsey Zimmerman.

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

“I thought we were going to be OK,” trainer Nick Zito said. “But look how far out he was. Look how wide he was. He just never got around those horses. He might have gotten tired.”

Kaufy Mate covered the 11/16-mile race in 1:44.60. He paid $71.40, $13 and $5.20. The Cliff’s Edge, with Shane Sellers aboard, paid $3 and $2.40. Zakocity paid $3 to show.

Zito said he wasn’t sure where or when The Cliff’s Edge will run again.

“I’m disappointed, but he didn’t run that bad,” Zito said. “A better post might have made a difference, and he might not have been as fit as he could have been.”