Tampa Bay Downs

Stretching out to two turns for Saturday's Sam F. Davis Stakes, downgraded to listed status but still offering 20 points to the winner on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, WinStar Farm and CHC Inc.'s John Hancock (c, 3, Constitution--Scribbling Sarah, by Freud) would not be denied in the early march to the First Saturday in May. The chestnut earned a solid 81 Beyer Speed Figure in leading every step of the way to break his maiden at first asking over three-quarters of a mile locally on Jan. 8 and...

3rd-Tampa Bay Downs, $32,000, Msw, 2-8, 3yo, f, 6 1/2f, 1:16.07, ft, head. CASSIAR (f, 3, City of Light--Nellie Cashman {GSW, $349,839}, by Mineshaft), one of four first timers who made the gate, the filly proved best when it mattered most. Overlooked as a 12-1 shot here, the longshot exited the outside gate and was up near the pace rolling towards the far turn. Salted (Tapit) assumed control around the far turn, but the 3-year-old was moving within striking distance. In the shadow of the wire, Cassiar poked her head...

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Aterradora at the Fair Grounds. Starspangledbanner Filly Strikes Gold At Fair Grounds Pura Vida Investments' Aterradora (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), second in her first two starts at Fair Grounds in November and January, got off the mark on the first day of February at that track (video). Bred by The Last Partnership, the filly was purchased for 150,000gns out of Book 2 of the Tattersalls...

Florida's controversial decoupling legislation took an ominous step forward Wednesday when a House subcommittee not only advanced a bill that would remove the requirement that Gulfstream Park run a minimum number of live Thoroughbred races in order to operate its casino, but also amended the bill to say similar terms would apply to cardroom gaming license-holders, too, meaning Tampa Bay Downs would also have the option to cease racing if the bill got signed into law. The House Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee reported HB 105 as "favorable" by a...

Multiple stakes-placed Dream Concert (Jess's Dream) has been added to the OBSOnline January sale. The 5-year-old racing or broodmare prospect (hip 425) has hit the board in five black-type events and most recently was third in the Jan. 11 Wayward Lass Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs for owner/breeder James Chicklo and trainer Kathleen O'Connell. She is nominated to the Feb. 1 GIII Endeavour Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. Bidding for the online auction opened Jan. 23 and will close at noon Jan. 30.

8th-Tampa Bay Downs, $32,000, Msw, 1-24, 3yo, f, 1m 40y, 1:40.67, ft, 1 1/4 lengths. FLIGHT OF FANCY (f, 3, Into Mischief--Feathered {GSW & MGISP, $577,474}, by Indian Charlie), the half-sister to 'TDN Rising Star' Flightline (Tapit), Horse Of The Year, Ch. Older Dirt Male, MGISW, $4,514,800, broke her maiden second time out at Tampa Bay Downs Friday, holding off gutsy Klaravich Stables first-time starter Holding Company (Curlin). A Summer Wind Equine homebred, the 3-year-old filly was second on debut going six furlongs at Tampa Dec. 7. Stretched out to...

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Brillante at Tampa Bay Downs. Persian King Filly Is Brilliant In Florida Chad Brown saddled Brillante (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}) to a 4 1/4-length victory at third asking at Tampa on Friday. (video). The 3-year-old filly is raced by Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, William Rucker and William Strauss. Bred by Antoine Fontaine, Vasilios Govosdis, & Gilles & Mrs. Gilles Forien, the bay was a...

9th-Tampa Bay Downs, $32,000, Msw, 1-17, 3yo, f, 1mT, 1:36.74, fm, 4 1/4 lengths. BRILLANTE (FR) (f, 3, Persian King {Ire}--Baga {Fr}, by No Nay Never) made her American debut Friday after a pair of starts as a 2-year-old in her native France. Privately purchased and imported to the Chad Brown barn late last year, the 7-5 favorite spotted the field a step at the break and raced near the back of the field behind Mona L (Caravaggio) who set an opening half tempo of :48.33. Staying wide throughout, Brillante...

Irad Ortiz Jr. has been handed a three-day stewards' suspension in the aftermath of his disqualification for interference in the Jan. 11 Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. Ortiz will sit Jan. 19, 22, 23, as per his agent, Steve Rushing. Dave Grening of Daily Racing Form was first to report this news via a posting on the X social media platform. Ortiz has led North America in victories in each of the last eight years and was voted the Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey in 2018-20 and 2022-23. He...

Damon Thayer, who served 22 years in the Kentucky General Assembly--will be the keynote speaker at the National HBPA Conference Feb. 25-27 in Safety Harbor, Florida. Thayer will address the conference on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa on Tampa Bay. For a Q&A with Thayer, click here. The HBPA Conference features a full-day of panel discussions and presentations on Tuesday, Feb. 25 and a half-day on Wednesday, Feb. 26, after which an afternoon at Tampa Bay Downs is scheduled, courtesy of the racetrack. The full...

After losing on five heavy favorites and getting disqualified from a win on a sixth, jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. would probably like to put his Saturday trip to Tampa Bay Downs behind him as soon as possible. But North America's leading rider in victories in each of the last eight years is going to have to wait until at least Wednesday to find out if the Tampa stewards are going to suspend or otherwise penalize him for his actions aboard 1-2 favorite Owen Almighty (Speightstown) in the Jan. 11 Pasco...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Cat Eyes in Florida.   The Florida Place To Be JDT Racing's Cat Eyes (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) put an eighth-place debut run at Tampa firmly in the rear view with a victory for Brendan Walsh at Gulfstream on Jan. 5 (video). Bred by Bill Crager, the dark bay daughter of Bodak (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) was a €65,000 purchase by JRSA from the...