Tuesday, November 25 2008

SAM F. DAVIS STAKES MAKES THE GRADE

OLDSMAR, Fla. (November 24, 2008) Tampa Bay Downs was pleased to receive the news today that the American Graded Stakes Committee has awarded the $225,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes a Grade III status. The Sam F. Davis, to be run on February 14, 2009, has become an important stop on the road to the Kentucky Derby, and past participants include such horses as Smooth Air, Any Given Saturday, and Bluegrass Cat.

Peter Berube, Vice President and General Manager of Tampa Bay Downs, said of the grading, “I am very pleased by the Graded Stakes Committee’s decision, as the Sam F. Davis has become an integral part of the Tampa Bay Downs stakes program. “ Berube continued, “Tampa Bay Downs now offers five graded stakes with the addition of the Sam F. Davis Stakes, which joins the Grade III $150,000 Endeavour Breeders’ Cup, the Grade III $175,000 Hillsborough Stakes, $200,000 Florida Oaks, and the Grade III $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby.”

Friday, November 14 2008

BARN AREA OPENS FOR 2008-2009 RACING SEASON

OLDSMAR, Fla. (November 13, 2008) The Tampa Bay Downs backstretch opened this morning, heralding the start of the Oldsmar oval’s 83rd season of Thoroughbred racing. After an overnight trip from Delaware Park, trainer Richard Ciardullo was the first trainer to enter the grounds f for the new season, arriving at 6:30 with his string of horses.

Among the first trainers to set up their stable was Robert Jeffries, President of the Tampa Bay Downs National Horsemen’s Benevolence & Protective Association, who escorted Pitchnicholas into stall 50 in Barn 22. “He was in this stall last year, and he loves it. He’s a really curious horse, and he can watch all the comings and goings from here,” said Jeffries. He went on to express his pleasure at returning to Tampa Bay Downs.

Thursday, September 25 2008

TAMPA’S 83RD SEASON HIGHLIGHTED BY INCREASE IN STAKES PURSES

OLDSMAR, Fla. (September 25, 2008) A record-high $2.7* million stakes program for the 2008-2009 meet at Tampa Bay Downs includes a purse increase for one of the track’s key Kentucky Derby prep races, the Sam F. Davis Stakes. The Sam F. Davis Stakes, a 1 1/16 miles main track event for three-year-olds, now carries a $225,000 purse and is the featured event on Festival Preview Day, February 14, 2009. It is joined on the Festival Preview Day card by both the $150,000 Grade III Endeavour Breeders’ Cup for older fillies and mares racing about 1 1/16 miles on the turf and the seven furlong $75,000 Suncoast Stakes for fillies three years old.

Alison DeLuca, Racing Secretary at Tampa Bay Downs, commented, “The Sam F. Davis Stakes is an important stop for horses emerging onto the Triple Crown trail, and I’m pleased to give horsemen an added incentive to race their Kentucky Derby hopefuls here.” DeLuca continued, “The Sam F. Davis Stakes is one of the highlights of the Tampa Bay Downs stakes program, and over the years we’ve had such national performers as Smooth Air, Any Given Saturday and Bluegrass Cat compete in the race. I think that the fans that come out for Festival Preview Day really enjoy the chance to get to see these horses as they develop into nationally recognizable names.”