tampa bay downs

That was trainer Michael Trombetta’s message this morning to his assistant and exercise rider, Sarah Shaffer – as well as area racing fans who hope to see unbeaten 3-year-old colt Independence Hall in action at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 8 in the Grade III, $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes. Trombetta was in touch with […]

With a chance to ride five winners on a single card at Tampa Bay Downs for the fifth time in his career, leading jockey Antonio Gallardo went into the eighth race brimming with confidence. Everyone could see why after first-time starter Chart ran away and hid from her six rivals, posting a 5 ¼-length victory […]

The New York path to the Kentucky Derby trail continues on February 1 at the Big A with the 140th renewal of the Grade 3, $250,000 Withers, which offers 10-4-2-1 qualifying points to the top-four finishers. The Saturday, February 1 card will also feature the return of the popular Cross Country Pick 5, which in […]

Liam’s Lucky Charm ran to the expectations of his connections in today’s $125,000, 7-furlong Pasco Stakes, opening the door to more lucrative assignments as the 3-year-old Thoroughbred picture in Florida and beyond begins to take shape. After the Florida-bred colt returned to the Tampa Bay Downs backside to cool off from his exertions, his jockey, […]

Pablo Morales had the kind of year in 2019 most jockeys only dream about. He rode 226 winners, the 12th-highest total in North American, and his purse earnings of $4,053,906 marked a career-best. Given that he is 31 and either at the peak of his career, or rapidly approaching it, Morales doesn’t plan to spend […]

Two Road to the Kentucky Derby options appear to be the primary choices for undefeated 3-year-old Independence Hall’s next start, trainer Michael Trombetta told horseracingnation.com on Monday. The son of Constitution, now based at Tampa Bay Downs after his win in Aqueduct’s Jerome Stakes on Jan. 1, could point to either the G3 Sam F. […]

Tampa Bay Downs trainers Luis Carvajal, Jr., and Ignacio Correas IV aren’t sweating the results of the 2019 Eclipse Awards, even though each has a finalist in the competition. For Carvajal, it’s enough that his (now)-7-year-old Florida-bred, Imperial Hint, is one of three finalists in the Male Sprinter category for the third consecutive year. Forced […]

Mike Buccina had a few good reasons for not entering Saturday’s High Rollers Handicapping Contest at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar, Fla. “I was hedging, because I’ve been going so bad,” the former Thoroughbred owner said. “And I’m not a win-place-show bettor. I’m a gimmick player – I can’t remember the last time I bet […]

When it comes to doling out tender, loving care at Barn 25 on the Tampa Bay Downs backside, trainer Kathleen O’Connell is an equal-opportunity distributor. O’Connell, the Salt Rock Tavern Trainer of the Month, is attuned to the heartbeats of each of the 35 Thoroughbreds in her barn, as well as the 25 or so […]

The second annual High Rollers Handicapping Contest, featuring a potential first-place prize of $20,000, will be held Saturday in the VIP Room at Tampa Bay Downs. Players are required to deposit $1,000, of which $500 serves as the player’s wagering bankroll and $500 goes to the prize pool. Any dollar amount remaining in their bankroll […]