Brethren cruises to victory in Sam F. Davis Stakes

OLDSMAR , Fla. (AP) - Oh, brother!

Brethren easily defeated nine rivals in the $225,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday - a four-length win over long shot Too Experience in an early steppingstone to the Kentucky Derby.

A half brother to last year's Derby winner Super Saver, Brethren is now a perfect 3-for-3. Like Super Saver, the 3-year-old colt is trained by Todd Pletcher and owned by WinStar Farm. He was ridden by Ramon Dominguez, last year's leading jockey.

Breaking awkwardly from the outside No. 10 post, Brethren quickly recovered. He used very little energy to get to second position, and he and Dominguez then sat patiently behind a moderate pace. Three furlongs from the wire, they moved effortlessly to the lead.

Opening up in the stretch, Dominguez searched over his right shoulder, then his left shoulder for competition. There was none, and they cruised to the wire for the authoritative win.

``He won it like a good horse should,'' Dominguez said. ``I was able to wrap up on him going to the wire . The distance was no problem at all.''

Elliot Walden of WinStar Farm had no firm schedule for Brethren leading to the Derby on May 7.

The victory in the Sam F. Davis was the fourth in six years for Pletcher, who also trains the leading contender for this year's Derby in Uncle Mo.

The winning time for 1 1/16 miles was 1:45.07. Brethren returned $3.80, $3.20 and $2.80. Too Expensive, a 31-1 shot, was second at $16.80 and $9.20 and 30-1 shot Watch Me Go was third and returned $10.20 to show.