World-class Thoroughbred racing returns to Tampa Bay Downs on Wednesday, Nov. 27 with the Opening Day card of the 2019-2020 meeting. The track is in its 94th year of operation.
The track has gotten on board the .20 cent Pick-6 bandwagon this season. Their version is called the Ultimate Pick-6, and it will use the same carry-over jackpot formula as the majority of the east coast tracks that offer such a wager.
The Stakes Race schedule gets underway on December 7th with a pair of $100,000 dollar, 6-furlong races for 2-year-olds. Followed on February 8th with the $250,000 dollar, Grade 2, Sam F. Davis Stakes. The Sam F. Davis awards points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby to the first four finishers.
The showcase event for this meet is (as always) the Tampa Bay Derby. The 40th edition of this Grade 2, $400,000 dollar race will be held on March 7th. Not only will the Kentucky Derby prospects be running the mile-and-a-sixteenth for the purse money, but the first four finishers also earn qualifying points on the Road To The Kentucky Derby.
Tampa Bay Downs races on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with Sundays added to the mix on December 22nd. There is no racing on Christmas Day, and Easter, April 12th.
A special Thursday card will be offered on December 26th.
The Daily Racing Blog looks forward to handicapping both the Sam F. Davis, and the Tampa Bay Derby on the Road To The Kentucky Derby.
