The Columbia Stakes is scheduled at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar, Florida. This vibrant venue, opened in 1926, is known for its picturesque turf course and dirt oval, with the turf often firm during the winter meet, favoring horses with tactical speed in mile races. The day’s first post time is 12:15 PM ET, with Race 7 expected to go off at 3:27 PM ET.
Expected weather conditions in Oldsmar on race day include highs around 82°F with partly cloudy skies and a low chance of precipitation. Winds will be light from the southeast at 7-10 mph, with humidity around 53-60%. These conditions should yield a firm turf course, ideal for milers with European-style pedigrees or proven grass form.
This $125,000 stakes race is for 3-year-olds, contested over 1 mile on the turf. It’s a black-type event providing early-season resume building for sophomores, with a field mixing recent maiden breakers and stakes-tested runners. Trainers like H. Graham Motion and Mark E. Casse bring class, while locals add depth.
| Post Position | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Morning Line Odds |
| 1 | Knoty Knicks | Junior Alvarado | Jeff Engler | 6/1 |
| 2 | Proton | John R. Velazquez | H. Graham Motion | 3/1 |
| 3 | Congressional | Flavien Prat | Miguel Clement | 4/1 |
| 4 | Vino Solo | Ubardo Casique | Mario Roberto Lopez | 30/1 |
| 5 | Alpyland | Javier Castellano | Mark E. Casse | 9/5 |
| 6 | Knick’s Honor | David Delgado | Lynn Rarick | 30/1 |
| 7 | Mr Mo’s Magic | Jose C. Ferrer | Lynn Rarick | 10/1 |
| 8 | Beautiful War | Samuel Marin | David Fawkes | 6/1 |
| 9 | A Million Dreams | Israel O. Rodriguez | Kevin Rice | 20/1 |
Horse-by-Horse Analysis
1. Knoty Knicks (6/1 ML)
Jeff Engler trains this 3-year-old Knicks Go colt, ridden by Junior Alvarado at 119 lbs. Owned by REH, LLC. Pedigree suggests turf aptitude. Recent finishes: 1st in a Gulfstream MSW on 1/31/26 (1 mile turf, firm, fig 92); 2nd in a Gulfstream MSW on 12/28/25 (7f turf, firm); 3rd debut at Saratoga on 11/15/25 (6f dirt, fast). Improving on grass. Engler wins 15% with young turfers. Alvarado tactical. Rail post suits stalking; value play.
2. Proton (3/1 ML)
H. Graham Motion conditions this 3-year-old Astern (AUS) gelding, with John R. Velazquez aboard at 121 lbs. Owned by Stone Farm et al. European-style closer. Recent finishes: 1st in a Laurel allowance on 2/14/26 (1 mile turf, firm, fig 98); 2nd in a Belmont MSW on 10/26/25 (1 mile turf, firm); 4th debut at Keeneland on 9/14/25 (7f turf, good). Handles firm best. Motion excels with turf 3YOs (22% wins). Velazquez Hall of Famer. Post 2 allows ground-saving; strong contender.
3. Congressional (4/1 ML)
Miguel Clement trains this 3-year-old Constitution colt, ridden by Flavien Prat at 119 lbs. Owned by Grandview Equine. Stakes upside. Recent finishes: 1st in a Gulfstream MSW on 1/17/26 (7f turf, firm, fig 95); 3rd in a Saratoga MSW on 12/7/25 (1 mile turf, good); 2nd debut at Belmont on 11/10/25 (7f turf, firm). Progressing. Clement wins 18% with sophomores. Prat elite (25% wins). Post 3 for pressing; live threat.
4. Vino Solo (30/1 ML)
Mario Roberto Lopez sends out this 3-year-old Solomini gelding, with Ubardo Casique up at 119 lbs. Owned by Azteca Dreams, LLC. Longshot with speed. Recent finishes: 4th in a Tampa allowance on 2/21/26 (7f turf, firm, fig 82); 1st in a Tampa MSW on 1/24/26 (6f dirt, fast); 5th debut at Gulfstream on 12/15/25 (7f turf, good). Needs improvement on grass. Lopez targets locals (12% wins). Casique capable. Post 4 offers options; exotic filler.
5. Alpyland (9/5 ML)
Mark E. Casse trains this 3-year-old Vekoma gelding, ridden by Javier Castellano at 121 lbs. Owned by D. J. Stable, LLC. Morning-line favorite. Recent finishes: 1st in a Tampa allowance on 2/7/26 (1 mile turf, firm, fig 102); 1st in a Churchill MSW on 11/22/25 (7f turf, good); 2nd debut at Keeneland on 10/18/25 (6f turf, firm). Unbeaten on grass. Casse powerhouse (24% wins). Castellano top turf rider. Post 5 suits mid-pack; class edge.
6. Knick’s Honor (30/1 ML)
Lynn Rarick conditions this 3-year-old Knicks Go gelding, with David Delgado aboard at 119 lbs. Owned by Ray Huelsman and Keith Anderson. Upset potential. Recent finishes: 3rd in a Tampa MSW on 2/14/26 (1 mile turf, firm, fig 88); 1st in a Hastings MSW on 1/3/26 (7f dirt, fast); 4th debut at Fonner on 12/20/25 (6f dirt, fast). Turf question. Rarick wins 10% locally. Delgado steady. Post 6 for rally; longshot.
7. Mr Mo’s Magic (10/1 ML)
Lynn Rarick’s second entrant, this 3-year-old Uncle Chuck colt carries Jose C. Ferrer at 119 lbs. Owned by Ray Huelsman and Keith Anderson. Closer with form. Recent finishes: 2nd in a Tampa allowance on 1/31/26 (1 mile turf, firm, fig 96); 1st in a Gulfstream MSW on 12/28/25 (7f turf, firm); 3rd debut at Saratoga on 11/29/25 (6f turf, good). Improving. Rarick barn mate. Ferrer experienced locally. Post 7 may force wide; value for board.
8. Beautiful War (6/1 ML)
David Fawkes trains this 3-year-old War of Will gelding, ridden by Samuel Marin at 119 lbs. Owned by Aaron Haberman et al. Stakes-placed. Recent finishes: 1st in a Gulfstream allowance on 2/21/26 (7f turf, firm, fig 94); 3rd in a Tampa MSW on 1/10/26 (1 mile turf, firm); 2nd debut at Gulfstream on 12/15/25 (7f turf, good). Firm turf suits. Fawkes wins 16% with 3YOs. Marin rising. Post 8 suits closing; exotic threat.
9. A Million Dreams (20/1 ML)
Kevin Rice conditions this 3-year-old By My Standards colt, with Israel O. Rodriguez up at 119 lbs. Owned by Bella Mia Stables, LLC. Deep closer. Recent finishes: 5th in a Tampa allowance on 2/7/26 (1 mile turf, firm, fig 85); 1st in a Fair Grounds MSW on 1/17/26 (7f turf, good); 4th debut at Churchill on 11/22/25 (6f dirt, fast). Needs pace help. Rice wins 13% locally. Rodriguez capable. Wide post 9 hinders; minor award possible.
