It’s Tampa Bay Derby Time
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
Who Wins The Fountain Of Youth?
The road to the 2025 Kentucky Derby goes autobahn come March 1st. Saturday Gulfstream Park will be one focal point on a nation-wide day of prep races as it hosts the 79th edition of the Fountain Of Youth Stakes. The $415,000 dollar, Grade 2 Stakes run at 1 1/16 miles on dirt is the third of four preps at Gulfstream that offer qualifying points to the … Continue reading Who Wins The Fountain Of Youth?
Youth Is Served
Saturday is the $415,000, Grade 2, Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Some of the top 3-year-olds in the country will do battle in this 1 1/16-mile contest. The Fountain of Youth is named after the mythical spring that attracted explorers to Florida in the 16th Century. The race was first held in 1945, and has been run every year since 1953. In 1973, it … Continue reading Youth Is Served
Who Wins The Rebel Stakes ?
The Rebel Stakes was originally scheduled to be run Saturday, but Oaklawn Park officials moved the entire Saturday card to Sunday due to inclement weather conditions forecast for the region. That said, a large field of fourteen 3-year-olds are scheduled to compete in the 65th edition of the Rebel Stakes. The 1 1/16-mile contest distributes Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis to the top five finishers … Continue reading Who Wins The Rebel Stakes ?
Rebel History
The Road to the Kentucky Derby makes a stop at Oaklawn Park on Saturday, with the running of the $1.25 million dollar, Grade 2 Rebel Stakes. This 1 1/16-mile event typically draws a deep, competitive field, buoyed by a massive purse plus 50 qualifying Derby points going to the Winner. The race was inaugurated in 1961 as the Rebel Handicap, and was changed to the Rebel Stakes … Continue reading Rebel History
A Tasty Way To Donate
The Road To The Kentucky Derby is open for business as the qualifying prep races have began in earnest. So, it seems a good time to talk about the pilots of the Derby hopefuls. More specifically, a charity that is near and dear to their hearts. The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) is a public charity that provides financial assistance to former jockeys who have suffered … Continue reading A Tasty Way To Donate
Rachel Alexandra Stakes
The Risen Star Stakes is the feature race at Fairgrounds on Saturday. But the undercard has the Rachel Alexandra Stakes in which the Winner is awarded 50 qualifying points toward a spot in the Kentucky Oaks. Here is a brief look at the field for the Grade 2, $300,000 dollar, mile & 1/16 contest: 1. ANONIMA [ML 6-1] Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Trainer: Ken McPeek. Has … Continue reading Rachel Alexandra Stakes
R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
Since the humble beginnings of the sport in the United States, African Americans have made significant contributions to horse racing. African American jockeys dominated the Winner’s circle in racing’s first three decades. They were the first black superstar athletes in the United States, and Won 15 of the first 28 Kentucky Derby‘s. In fact, 13 of 15 jockeys at the inaugural Kentucky Derby in 1875 were African American. … Continue reading R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
Risen Star Stakes Historic Stars
On Saturday, Fair Grounds will host the $500,000 dollar, Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes. It’s the first race of the season to offer the Winner 50 qualifying points toward a spot in the Kentucky Derby. The contest will award a total of 105 points on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale. The race was first held in 1973 as the Louisiana Derby Trial Stakes. In 1989, it was renamed in honor of … Continue reading Risen Star Stakes Historic Stars
Who Wins The Sam F. Davis Stakes?
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?
