Stakes Racing is the number ONE reason Tampa Bay Downs is Where You Want to Be January 23
Stakes races are where top horses race. They have the highest purses and carry the most prestige for winners. Stakes races at Tampa Bay Downs over the years produced Breeders’ Cup race winners, an Eclipse Award champion and two winners of the Kentucky Oaks. Three stakes races are set to run January 23rd on 'Skyway Festival Day' with a total purse of $250,000. Skyway Festival Day is a chance for stables to prep for the all important Kentucky Derby point earning races set to run Tampa Bay Derby Day. Skyway this year includes 3 stakes races, the Wayward Lass Stakes (named after the 1981 Eclipse Award-winning 3-year-old filly) for 4-year+ fillies and mares, contested at one mile and one-sixteenth with a purse of $50k. The Pasco Stakes race for 3-year olds races 7 furlongs for $100,000 and the Gasparilla Stakes, also 7 furlongs with a guaranteed $100k is for 3-year old fillies. All three stakes races on the 23rd will be contested on the dirt track. Races 6,7 and 9 will be Stakes. Check out the line-up!
The Track and facilities are immaculate.
A welcome winter destination for horsemen and fans, Tampa Bay Downs in it's storied 90 year history has earned national prominence and become a significant step in Triple Crown racing. Track supervisors have both the dirt and turf tracks in tip-top shape!
The Jockeys are talented, fun and dedicated.
Cheer on rookie jockey Chad Lindsay as he continues his quest for career wins. Keiber Coa in the photo above helps initiate Chad Lindsay to the club following his first career win on January 1st of this year! Jockeys at Tampa Bay Downs are led by two-time defending champ Antonio Gallardo. With a 2014-15 track record of 147 wins last year Antonio is on pace this year to shatter that number! Gallardo could win an unprecedented 192 races this season.
The Stables are represented by top farms and organizations in Florida and the U.S.
Fans can again expect to see exciting Thoroughbred racing competition of the highest quality at Tampa Bay Downs. Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense raced at the Downs in 2007 and Super Saver, a third-place winner raced here in 2010. Above is Street Sense in 2007.
The Family Friendly Viewing and Picnic Area is an ideal spot to bring children for some unusual fun.
Plan an unusual and memorable afternoon for your family. Enjoy the Florida sunshine track-side as you experience the thrill of premier Thoroughbred horse racing. The spectacular sights, sounds and pageantry help create a day of family fun and lasting memories for your kids. You CAN bring coolers if you plan to watch the races from the lawn in the Picnic Area.
Track Dining includes options everyone can enjoy.
Skye Terrace Dining Room ~ Tampa Bay downs first-class dining experience with a panoramic view of the races from high above the track.
Riders Up! ~ Track-side, Rider’s Up! is a full service bar located feet from the track where you feel the excitement.
The Sports Gallery ~ Inside the Clubhouse with table service featuring a full dining menu and full bar, this is the place for Live and Simulcast racing.
Concessions ~ Located throughout the track, enjoy concession style track-side favorites.
Silks Poker Room is a great place to enjoy the races while playing cards and/or simulcast betting.
Located on the third floor....Simulcast wagering with poker action on 30 tables, with TV monitors, roaming mutuel tellers, tableside beverage service and in-house massages. Silks offers every variation of Texas Hold’em, No-Limit Hold’em, Omaha and Stud Games, as well as exciting multi-table tournaments.
The Downs Practice Golf Facility nearby rounds out a perfect day if you play.
Bring your clubs and follow-up an afternoon of racing on a state-of-the-art practice facility staffed by Class A PGA professionals eager to help you lower your handicap.
Around the turn: Festival Preview Day takes place February 13, 2016. A major day of racing featuring three graded events, highlighted by the $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes for Triple Crown candidates, the $150,000 Lambholm South Endeavour Stakes, the $150,000 Tampa Bay Stakes on turf and the $100,000 Suncoast Stakes. For two-legged fans the “Live It Up Challenge”, goes live. An online handicapping challenge with a prize package including a seat at the Daily Racing Forms National Thoroughbred Racing Association Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas and $2500 to spend on your trip!
Saturday’s activities kick off at 11 a.m, During Stakes Races, The Downs offers promotions throughout the day, check with Tampa Bay Downs for additional information regarding promotions.
We are incredibly fortunate here in Tampa to have a premier, multi-entertainment facility like Tampa Bay Downs in our backyard!
If you have never been to the races, January 23rd is the day to go! And if you have, well you have already experienced the thrill of Thoroughbreds shooting out of the gate, hooves pounding, dirt flying as they thunder past to the finish line on the historic "Oldsmar Oval". You can not help but get caught up in the excitement as fans leap to their feet, cheering favorites to the finish line. Between races enjoy people and horse watching, the horses are beautiful, the people interesting. You can view the horses up close as they file in to the paddock, it's a great place to size them up when determining who will win, place or show!
We hope our 9 Reasons Tampa Bay Downs is Where You Want to Be January 23 has you grabbing for your phone to set aside the date and text friends.
Make it a date! Plan now to spend a day in the sunshine, enjoying premier stakes racing at Tampa Bay Downs Saturday, January 23rd!
Go! Do Not miss this show!
Photos courtesy of Tampa Bay Downs and Casino's inc.
