Tampa Bay Downs, located in Oldsmar, Florida, is a historic Thoroughbred racetrack that first opened in 1926. It’s the only major Thoroughbred track on Florida’s west coast and is well known for its high-quality racing, its scenic setting, and its integration of poker and golf at the facility.

Tampa Bay Downs Track Details

  • Surfaces: One-mile dirt oval and a 7/8-mile turf course with an inner chute.
  • Configuration: Left-handed oval, with a relatively long stretch for the dirt and a turf chute for sprinting events.
  • Facilities: The Silks Poker Room, a golf practice facility, grandstand seating, simulcast wagering windows, dining options, and fan-friendly grounds.

Tampa Bay Downs Featured Races & Events

  • Tampa Bay Derby (Grade III): A major Kentucky Derby prep for 3-year-olds held every March.
  • Tampa Bay Stakes (Grade III): Turf race for older horses in early February.
  • Florida Oaks (Grade III): A turf race for 3-year-old fillies.
  • Hillsborough Stakes (Grade II): Prestigious turf race for older fillies and mares.
  • Notable Champions: Horses like Street Sense have used Tampa Bay Downs as a prep for bigger races.

Tampa Bay Downs Horses & Race Types

  • Thoroughbred flat racing only.
  • Distances: From sprints up to route distances on both dirt and turf.
  • Divisions: Juveniles, stakes for 3-year-olds, older horse handicaps, fillies and mares, and turf specialists.

Tampa Bay Downs History & Legacy

  • Founded: 1926 under the name Tampa Downs, later renamed Tampa Bay Downs.
  • Milestones: Addition of the 7/8-mile turf course in 1998 expanded its reputation for quality grass racing.
  • Legacy: Known for pairing racing with entertainment amenities—poker, golf, and simulcasting—keeping the venue active all year.

Tampa Bay Downs Odds & Betting

  • Tampa Bay Downs odds are posted daily (Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, Pick 6).
  • The Tampa Bay Derby odds draw nationwide wagering interest each spring.
  • Betting is available on-track, at simulcast outlets, and online through sportsbooks such as BetUS.

Tampa Bay Downs Records & Stats

  • Track records include standout performances at multiple distances.
  • For 7 furlongs on dirt: Munnys Gold – 1:20.09 (2023).
  • For 1 1/16 miles: Stanford – 1:41.75.
  • The Tampa Bay Derby purse is currently $400,000 and continues to grow in prominence.

Tampa Bay Downs FAQs

The Tampa Bay Derby, a key Kentucky Derby prep race.
Odds are available at the track, simulcast locations, and online racebooks like BetUS.
The Tampa Bay Derby is run at 1 1/16 miles on dirt.
Street Sense, Classic Causeway, and other Kentucky Derby contenders.
You can wager through online racebooks such as BetUS, which posts Tampa Bay Downs betting odds daily.
From December through May, with simulcast wagering available year-round.