The three-year-old colt Owen Almighty has faced a series of unfortunate events during the current Tampa Bay Downs meet, but his trainer Brian Lynch remains optimistic about his chances in the upcoming Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby. Despite finishing ahead in the Pasco Stakes on January 11, Owen Almighty was disqualified and placed fifth due to interference with another horse near the finish line. This setback did not deter the team, as they prepared him for the Sam F. Davis Stakes on February 8, where he narrowly lost by half a length after an intense final stretch.

For Saturday's 45th running of the Tampa Bay Derby, Owen Almighty will have to be at his best to secure victory. He faces formidable competition, including Chancer McPatrick and Hill Road, both trained by Chad Brown, who bring impressive pedigrees from their previous performances. Additionally, Naughty Rascal, who briefly challenged in the Sam F. Davis Stakes before dropping back, will also be part of the lineup. Lynch believes Owen Almighty is ready for this challenge, having recovered well since his last race. "He’s given us every indication that he’s ready for another attempt," Lynch remarked, highlighting the colt's resilience and training consistency.

The Tampa Bay Derby offers significant stakes, awarding 50 points to the winner towards qualifying for the Kentucky Derby 2025. However, Lynch and owner Travis Boersma have decided to focus on shorter-distance races post-Tampa Bay Derby, acknowledging Owen Almighty's potential limitations over longer distances. Nonetheless, the team is eager to see Owen Almighty prove himself in this prestigious event. "We’re excited about bringing him back to Tampa for another shot," Lynch said, emphasizing the colt's adaptability and readiness to compete on any track. The Tampa Bay Derby promises an exciting day of racing, with Owen Almighty aiming to redeem himself and claim a graded-stakes win.