Bottled up in last place turning for home, Statesman soared through the stretch Wednesday to nail down his second straight win at Tampa Bay Downs, opening the door to a Kentucky Derby prep race next time out.

Jockey Samuel Marin was ever-patient with Statesman as the 1-to-5 favorite in the entry-level allowance, waiting to unleash him in the stretch. Statesman and Marin had teamed together for a maiden victory over the same track and distance on January 17.

Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey trains Statesman, a 3-year-old Constitution colt who was bred by West Point Thoroughbreds and St. Elias Stables. West Point campaigns him in a racing partnership with Woodford Racing and CJ Stables.