World-class Thoroughbred racing returned to Tampa Bay Downs today, (11/19). The Opening Day card of the 2025-2026 meet kicked off the tracks 100th year of operation! Tampa Bay Downs is the only Thoroughbred racetrack on the West Coast of Florida and is known as one of America’s oldest and most well-maintained racetracks. Tampa Bay Downs first opened its doors in 1926 under the name of Tampa Downs and … Continue reading Tampa Bay Downs Live Racing
OWEN ALMIGHTY Won the $350,000 dollar Tampa Bay Derby this past Saturday by 3 ½-lengths. In addition to the Winner’s share of the purse the bay colt also earned 50 points toward qualifying for the 2025 Kentucky Derby and ranks second on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 65 points in total. But does the Brian Lynch trained colt have what it takes to shine on … Continue reading Can Owen Be Almighty In The Derby?
Tampa Bays Downs has its marquee Kentucky Derby prep race Saturday. Seven 3-year-old colts are entered to compete for a total of 105 Derby points in the 45th running of the $400,000 dollar Tampa Bay Derby. The 1 1/16-mile race distributes points on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis to its top five finishers. Here is a brief look at the field: 1. OWEN ALMIGHTY [ML 5-1] Jockey: Irad Ortiz … Continue reading Who Wins The Tampa Bay Derby?
The Tampa Bay Derby is this Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs. The 1 1⁄16-mile Tampa Bay Derby (G2) has long been overshadowed by the richer Derby prep races at nearby Gulfstream Park. Despite the fierce competition to attract the best three-year-old’s in Florida, the Tampa Bay Derby has more than held its own as a productive prep for the Run For The Roses. First held in 1981, the Tampa Bay … Continue reading It’s Tampa Bay Derby Time
Tampa Bay Downs hosts its first Kentucky Derby points race Saturday with the1 1/16-mile Sam F. Davis Stakes. A springboard to the March 8th Tampa Bay Derby, the Sam F. Davis is also a solid first step toward a starting spot in the May 3rd Run For The Roses as it awards 20-10-6-4-2 qualifying points to the top 5 finishers. Here’s a brief look at … Continue reading Who Wins The Sam F. Davis Stakes?
The future of thoroughbred horse racing at Gulfstream Park is in the hands of the state legislature, as that government body considers House Bill 105. Sponsored by Republican State Representative Adam Anderson the proposed legislation seeks to decouple casino licenses from the requirement to host live horse racing. The Hallandale track has become a hub for elite thoroughbred racing in Florida, hosting renowned events like the Pegasus … Continue reading The Fate Of Gulfstream Park
Prior to 2013 the traditional qualifying factor for horses wanting to participate in the Kentucky Derby was total Graded Stakes purse earnings- the more money an eligible horse Won, the increased chance of entering the starting gate. But beginning in 2013 Churchill Downs refined the classic earnings method in favor of a points based system which revamped the traditional prep races. These prep races were officially … Continue reading Ease On Down The Road (To The Kentucky Derby)
The Road to the Kentucky Derby runs through Tampa Bay Downs Saturday with the 43rd edition of the Tampa Bay Derby. In addition to the $400,000 dollar purse, the Grade 2 contest offers a total of 105 Derby qualifying points, with 50 going to the Winner, 25 to 2nd, 15 to 3rd, 10 to 4th, and five points to 5th. Here’s a look back at a couple of … Continue reading Tampa Bay Derby OG
The 1 1⁄16-mile Tampa Bay Derby (G3) is Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs. The race has long existed in the shadow of richer Derby preps at nearby Gulfstream Park. But even in the face of fierce competition to attract the best three-year-olds in Florida, the Tampa Bay Derby has more than held its own as a productive prep for the First Saturday in May. First held in 1981, the Tampa … Continue reading The Tampa Bay Derby
There have been 18 prep races so far on the 2023-2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby. Saturday’s Grade 3, $250,000 Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs marks the halfway point as the thoroughbred needle moves toward the first Saturday in May. This Edition of the Sam F. Davis brings a full field of 12, led by WEST SARATOGA, Winner of the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes back in September. AGATE … Continue reading Who Wins The Sam F. Davis?
