HELIUM had not started for 4½ months leading into Saturday’s Grade 2, $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby, and had never raced on any surface but the synthetic of Woodbine. But the Mark Casse-trained colt had better get used to running on dirt, as he effectively clinched a spot in the starting gate of this years Run For The Roses. HELIUM made a strong move in the far turn … Continue reading HELIUM Rises
Saturday’s $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G2) is Tampa Bay Downs signature prep race for this years Kentucky Derby. It brings together a competitive field of 3-year-olds vying for a total of 85 qualifying points for the May 1st Run For The Roses. With 50 of those points going to the Winner. The race has attracted a 12 horse field, and is the final contest on … Continue reading HIDDEN STASH In The Tampa Bay Derby
It was just last month that SOLE VOLANTE captured the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs with a closing rush to defeat the favored INDEPENDENCE HALL. That was a huge move forward, and he will now attempt the next step in the Grade 2, $400,000 dollar Tampa Bay Derby on Saturday. The Win by SOLE VOLANTE last month did not seem to … Continue reading Tampa Bay Derby Picks
Given the presence of INDEPENDENCE HALL Saturday in Tampa Bay Downs‘ Grade 3, $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes, this minor 2020 Kentucky Derby Prep Race will receive major attention. INDEPENDENCE HALL created a stir back in November when he Won the Nashua Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct with big speed numbers on both the Beyer Speed Figure and Time-form scale. But some of that luster came off later … Continue reading The Sam F. Davis Stakes @ Tampa
