Tampa Tidbits

Below are a few interesting facts about Tampa Bays Downs, ranging from horses to trainers, and upcoming events.

Recently, Midwest Thoroughbreds and trainer Jamie Ness parted ways after several seasons of being a force to be reckoned with at Tampa Bay Downs. Ness still has several horses stabled and running here.

Antonio Gallardo, a leading jockey at Tampa Bay Downs, had cooled down in the past weeks, but heated up again this week with around ten wins. Ronnie Allen Jr., Fernando De La Cruz, and Daniel Centeno have also started to collect wins lately. 

The past two Thursdays will be the only Thursday live racing days for this season. They will return to the regular Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday live racing schedules after this week. 

On Saturday, February 13th, I was at the track for the stake races running that day. Out of the four stakes races that day, the Sam F. Davis for three year old males, the Suncoast for three year old fillies, the Tampa Bay Stakes for males four year olds and up, and the Endeavour Stakes for fillies and mares four year olds and up; the Endeavour Stakes was my favorite race of all.

Tepin, the five year old mare who won the Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland, won easily. Trainer Mark Casse also had entered Lexie Lou, the 2014 winner of the Queen's Plate at Woodbine against male horses. Tepin was very impressive in her win, and was pulling away at the finish. A very nice horse with a great future. 

Finally, the Tampa Bay Derby will be run on Saturday, March 12, 2016. This will be a part of a big stakes race card to be run on that afternoon. The winner will earn valuable Derby points. I am looking forward to another big day.

May the finish line always be your friend,

~Big Daddy B