Tampa Bay

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This column is highlighted by the victory of Darya at Santa Anita. Persian King Filly Crowned In Arcadia Darya (Persian King) steamed home a 2 3/4-length winner at Santa Anita in late March (video). Raced by Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables and Marsha Naify, the three-year-old filly was bred Emir Alkas. A 40,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling, she failed to meet her reserve when passed in for 20,000 out of...

Steve Landers knows a salesman when he sees one. And here comes a burly young man, into the paddock at Oaklawn, holding out a hand. "Mr. Landers," he said. "I'm Brad Cox." This was a good decade ago, when Cox was still trying to get established. So he made his pitch. If Landers could keep him in mind for a horse or two, he sure would appreciate it. "Well, I like to see somebody swim out to their ship, instead of waiting on it to come in," Landers says now....

The Commerce Committee in the Florida House of Representatives reported favorably Feb. 3 on the controversial decoupling bill backed by Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs that would allow either track to cease live racing while retaining their respective casino and card-room privileges. The vote appeared to be 15-9. The decision was largely split along party lines, with the "no" votes cast by Democrats and only two Republicans splitting off from the "yes" votes to oppose the bill. (One voice vote was inaudible during the roll call; the Florida legislature's...

The first decoupling salvo of Florida's 2026 legislative session that could lead to Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs being able to cease live racing while retaining their gaming rights was fired Tuesday morning when Rep. Adam Anderson submitted a bill that shares similarities to a controversial initiative he backed in 2025 that cleared the House and one committee in the Senate. Like the 2025 attempt, the bill that will be in play when the new legislative session begins Jan. 13 would allow either of Florida's two Thoroughbred tracks to...

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be present at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar, Florida on Saturday, Mar. 8 for the GII Tampa Bay Derby. The Tampa Bay Derby is part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series and offers 100 points to the winner. As a long-time supporter of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Tampa Bay Downs will actively showcase and raise awareness for accredited aftercare throughout the entirety of the race day and race meet. Tampa Bay Downs will honor the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance with a named race on the Tampa...

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. Among this week's rulings, trainer Candelario Villamar has been suspended 15-days and fined $1,000 after his trainee, Olivia's Choice, tested positive for capsaicin when finishing third at Turf Paradise on Feb. 26. A Class B controlled medication under HISA, capsaicin is the active ingredient in chilli peppers causing burning and irritation, and can be found in topical analgesics. Trainer Valorie Lund has been banned seven days and fined...

The partnership of Three Chimneys Farm, William Lawrence and Walmac Farm went to $1,200,000 to secure Cartucho (Gun Runner) as a yearling at the 2022 Keeneland September Sale and were quickly rewarded when their buy graduated on debut in 'TDN Rising Star'-style at Tampa Sunday. Favored at 6-5 as one of only three first-time starters in the field, Cartucho was slow from the gate and got squeezed back from the early frontrunners to be last in the opening jumps. Quickly into stride, Javier Castellano stayed along the rail inside of...

'TDN Rising Star' and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile third Locked (Gun Runner) will miss an expected start in Saturday's GIII Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs due to a temperature, according to a report from the Daily Racing Form's David Grening. "We felt like if we breezed him and spiked a more significant temperature that could set us back a couple of weeks or so," trainer Todd Pletcher told Grening. "One of the good things about being ready for some of the early preps is it gives you...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 10th-SA, $67K, Msw, 3yo, 6fT, 8:09 p.m. Breaking from the far outside post in the nightcap at the Great Race Place, NUCLEAR (Justify) looks to start earning back some of his $1,550,000 price tag with a turf debut for trainer John Sadler. Out of GIII Schuylerville S. runner-up True Feelings (Latent Heat), the colt is a half-brother to SW Feeling Mischief (Into Mischief) and GSP Royal Act (American Pharoah) while Metro, his 2-year-old half-brother by Quality Road, outshone his brother in sales ring by bringing...

Tampa Bay Downs posted significant gains in most major categories during the 2021-2022 season when compared to the 2018-2019 (pre-pandemic) meet--including average daily all-sources wagering handle and total purse money paid to horsemen. "Our Thoroughbred racing product has been very well-received, both by Tampa Bay area fans and the simulcast market throughout the country," said Peter Berube, the track's vice president and general manager, who attributed the increases in large part to the ongoing upgrade in the quality of racing and the attractiveness of the turf program. "The Lambholm South...

With his second Tampa Bay Downs jockeys title already locked up, Samy Camacho secured his third jockey challenge win at Tampa. Riding four winners on Wednesday's card, he added three more wins Thursday capture his third $5,000 Jockeys' Challenge title. Camacho secured the $2,500 first-place prize with 103 points. Wilmer Garcia, who finished second with 76 points, earned a $1,500 bonus, while Keiber Coa and Marcos Meneses tied for third with 55 points, each earning $500. The leading trainers, with two victories apiece today, are Earl Robinson and Brian Lusk....

Winfromwithin boosted his sire's already impressive resume, becoming the newest black-type winner for Into Mischief Saturday at Tampa. Breaking on top from his rail draw, the bay rolled along with ears pricked, clocking early splits of :22.50 and :46.11. Turning for home in front, Winfromwithin spurted clear in the lane for a decisive victory. Winfromwithin was second on debut sprinting on the Belmont main track July and finished fourth next out in a six-panel event at Saratoga Aug. 1. Filling the same spot in a sloppy off-the-turf renewal of the...