Sammy Davis Jr., the original 'Candy Man', did the two-step like nobody's business and this weekend at Tampa Bay Downs the Sam F. Davis Stakes will be showcased for sophomores that have Triple Crown aspirations.

Carded at a mile and a sixteenth, the Grade 3 race has gained importance over the years as a traditional stepping-stone to the Tampa Bay Derby and an early barometer of some of the best in Florida.

Over the years this fixture has been won by some nice horses like Burning Roma, a multiple Graded winner that banked over $1.5 million; Bluegrass Cat, who won the race with a 96 Beyer in 2006 and was 2nd in two Triple Crown races including a place to the stellar Barbaro; and Any Given Saturday, who gave Kentucky Derby hero all he could handle in the Tampa Derby and ended career as a millionaire and winner of the Grade 1 Haskell.

Last year General Quarters got a perfect 3-hole trip in the Davis and posted the winning 102 Beyer at a fat 13-1 and went on to take the Blue Grass Stakes.

A total of 42 were nominated this year so let's take a glance and the contenders, the pretenders and the long shot possibilities.

A Little Warm is hot right now as he will attempt to turn the natural hat trick if he suits up after a recent win in a $100K stakes. He has been sprint only so far but has a right to get the distance with the Alydar blood on the bottom side.

Aikenite will be a factor if he shows up. He has only won once, but has tons of Graded experience and was getting to the winner at this distance this fall at Keeneland.

Wayne Catalano got nice turf prep into Call Shot and this one has the style that just may thrive.

West Coast based Cardiff Giant fires every time, just ran second in the Grade 3 San Rafael but probably won't make the trip.

Same goes for Domonation, who followed the Giant home recently while Drosslmeyer is a horse to watch.

He has only won once but has run some bang-up races at 4 different tracks and got a nice confidence builder in the 6-length maiden breaker.

Fly By Phil would be unbeaten if not for a head and a half-length defeat but was taxed in his last win, the $100K Tropical Park Derby.

Noble's Promise is a would be threat but he has not worked since running second in mid-December.

Interactif is a turf specialist that has won on dirt and has been freshened since running 2nd in the BC Juvenile Turf while William's Kitten, who is fresh from a third in the Grade 3 Holy Bull closes the book on the contenders.

Pretenders, those that could get over bet, include African Moon, Uptowncharleybrown, Rule, Positive Split and Discreetly Mine.

It's hard to get a handle on who will show up in this race but expect a big, closely-matched group and don't be shocked if the winner comes from left field.

Three rate a look at prices; they are Gleam of Hope, Ice Box and Mission Impazible.

This may be a race where one has to make sure his bet has a right to get the distance.