Tampa Bay Downs Horseracing
Tampa Bay Downs is the only Thoroughbred race track 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 has since had a long and colorful history. Aside from The Silks Poker Room, track has a unique golf practice facility, which allows patrons to practice their swing while viewing and wagering on simulcast racing.
In 1998, Tampa Bay Downs added its 7/8th mile grass track, complete with a ¼ mile chute. Since then, it has become one of the most popular turf courses in North America.
Live horse racing is usually held every Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday from January through March; and Saturday through Tuesday for April.
Meanwhile, simulcast racing is broadcast throughout the track on new flat-screen plasma or LCD televisions. Gates open at 11:00 AM and post time for the first race is 12:25 pm.
The Facilities & Amenities
Tampa Bay Downs features a dual-surface layout designed to deliver world-class racing action alongside diverse entertainment options:
- The Turf Course: Introduced in 1998, this 7/8-mile grass track includes a 1/4-mile chute. It has since earned a reputation as one of the most popular and highly respected turf courses in North America.
- The Main Track: A standard 1-mile dirt oval known for its safe and consistent racing surface.
- The Downs Golf Practice Facility: A premier, full-service driving range where golf enthusiasts can practice their swing while simultaneously viewing and wagering on simulcast racing.
- The Silks Poker Room: Situated on the third floor of the grandstand, offering daily live card games, cash games, and tournaments.
Throughout the facility, fans can enjoy year-round simulcast action broadcast on high-definition flat-screen displays located across the grandstand and clubhouse.
Road to the Triple Crown
Beyond its daily racing cards, Tampa Bay Downs is a vital proving ground for elite three-year-olds on the trail to the Triple Crown. The track's signature event is the Grade III Tampa Bay Derby, a lucrative dirt race that serves as a major prep race, awarding crucial qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby.
The track also plays host to a series of prestigious turf events, including the Grade II Hillsborough Stakes and the Grade III Florida Oaks, attracting top-tier jockeys, trainers, and horses from around the globe.
Tampa Bay Downs Track Records
Dirt Track
| Distance | Horse | Age | Weight (lbs) | Time | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Furlongs | Silver Dollar Boy | 2 | 120 | 21.80 | Jan 18, 1980 |
| 3 Furlongs | Hot Star | 2 | 117 | 33.40 | Feb 14, 1980 |
| 4 Furlongs | Camp Izard | 2 | 122 | 46.80 | May 01, 1993 |
| 4 1/2 Furlongs | Geronimo J. | 2 | 120 | 52.80 | Mar 16, 1984 |
| 5 Furlongs | Jr's Exchange | 5 | 119 | 56.57 | Apr 02, 2011 |
| 5 1/2 Furlongs | Lady of Greatness | 6 | 118 | 1:02.79 | Mar 14, 2012 |
| 6 Furlongs | It's Me Mom | 4 | 117 | 1:08.67 | Apr 07, 2012 |
| 6 1/2 Furlongs | Action Andy | 5 | 121 | 1:15.47 | Mar 10, 2012 |
| 7 Furlongs | Munnys Gold | 3 | 122 | 1:20.09 | Mar 26, 2023 |
| 1 Mile & 40 Yards | Downtowner | 7 | 119 | 1:38.68 | Feb 27, 2021 |
| 1 1/16 Miles | Stanford | 5 | 122 | 1:41.75 | Mar 11, 2017 |
| 1 3/16 Miles | Warning Flag | 8 | 126 | 1:59.60 | Jan 25, 1986 |
| 1 1/4 Miles | Saffron Hall | 6 | 116 | 2:05.10 | Mar 23, 2013 |
| About 1 Mile | Prosico | 4 | 115 | 1:37.47 | Mar 24, 2007 |
Turf Course
Distance |
Horse |
Age | Weight (lbs) | Time | Date |
5 Furlongs |
Faction Cat |
7 | 122 | 53.97 | Feb 22, 2020 |
About 5 Furlongs |
Cee 'n O |
3 | 118 | 55.66 | Dec 20, 2014 |
1 Mile |
Equitize (GB) |
4 | 119 | 1:32.91 | Feb 03, 2024 |
About 1 Mile |
Alley Oop Oop |
5 | 120 | 1:34.37 | Jan 19, 2013 |
1 1/16 Miles |
Emmanuel |
4 | 122 | 1:39.25 | Feb 04, 2023 |
About 1 1/16 Miles |
Lentenor |
4 | 118 | 1:40.95 | Dec 23, 2011 |
1 1/8 Miles |
Tepin |
7 | 122 | 1:46.26 | Mar 12, 2016 |
1 3/8 Miles |
Bosque Redondo |
4 | 126 | 2:15.47 | Mar 22, 2023 |
About 1 1/2 Miles |
Top Senor |
6 | 118 | 2:31.60 | Feb 26, 2002 |