Tag: Tampa Bay Derby

Classic Causeway won three of his first five races, including this Sam F. Davis score. But after finishing 11th in his last two -- including the Kentucky Derby -- his owners moved him to Kenny McPeek's barn. (Image: Margaux Farm)

Surprise! Classic Causeway Moves From Lynch to McPeek’s Barn

- 2 min read

Without even trying, trainer Kenny McPeek inherited Classic Causeway, getting the Kentucky Derby runner and two-time stakes winner from Brian Lynch’s barn. The Daily Racing Form reported that Kentucky West Racing and the Clarke M. Cooper Family Living Trust, which bred and owns Classic Causeway, moved him to McPeek’s barn. […]

Classic Causeway won his second Tampa Bay Downs Kentucky Derby prep Saturday, winning the Tampa Bay Derby on a record handle day at Tampa Bay Downs. (Image: SV Photography)

Classic Causeway Helps Tampa Bay Downs Pull Record Handle

- 3 min read

With Tampa Bay Derby winner Classic Causeway sweeping his way into the Kentucky Derby Saturday, Tampa Bay Downs destroyed its previous single-day record for total handle. Saturday’s total handle of $20,778,222 blew away last year’s previous mark by more than $5.5 million and by 36%. On the rare day that […]

With this easy victory in the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs last month, Classic Causeway proved he's clearly the one to beat in the Tampa Bay Derby. (Image; SV Photography)

This Week on the Derby Trail Stops at the Tampa Bay Derby

- 3 min read

As Kentucky Derby preps go, Saturday’s Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby doesn’t exactly provide the fast track to the Churchill Downs winner’s circle. You can get there from Tampa Bay Downs – if it was 2007 and you were Street Sense, that year’s Tampa Bay Derby winner. Or if you […]

Classic Causeway's easy victory in the Sam F. Davis makes him the one bettors figure to key in the Tampa Bay Derby. That's the penultimate leg to this week's Cross Country Pick 5. (Image: Spencer Tulis/SV Photography)

Tampa Bay Derby, Azeri Cap This Week’s Cross Country Pick 5

- 3 min read

Tampa Bay Downs’ marquee race, the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby, headlines this week’s New York Racing Association Cross Country Pick 5. This week’s Cross Country Pick 5 encompasses races from Tampa Bay Downs, Aqueduct and Oaklawn Park. The Tampa Bay Derby is the fourth leg of the five-leg pick […]

Candy Man Rocket held on for a length victory in last month's Sam F. Davis Stakes. He'll need a better finishing kick to prevail in Saturday's Tampa Bay Derby. (Image: SV Photography)

Tampa Bay Derby Seeks a Sweet Path Out of Derby Prep Shadows

- 4 min read

The Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby is one of those Kentucky Derby preps that often gets lost in the shuffle. Part of that is the giant shadow Tampa Bay Downs fights from its southern Florida neighbor, Gulfstream Park. Part of that is the fact only two horses emerged from the […]

Highly Motivated makes his anticipated 2021 debut in Saturday's Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. (Image: Coglianese Photos)

Weekend Stakes: History at Santa Anita, Derby Preps on Both Coasts

- 4 min read

This weekend’s stakes lineup features one of the most iconic races in American horse racing, the Santa Anita Handicap. But even that event, technically Santa Anita Park’s Saturday headliner, may get overshadowed on its own card by a Grade 2 Kentucky Derby prep, the San Felipe Stakes. Featuring two of […]

Tampa Bay Downs plans to allow spectators when its 2020-21 meet opens next week. (Image: Tampa Bay Times)

With Precautions, Tampa Bay Downs Open to Fans for 2020-21 Meet

- 2 min read

With new health plans in place, Tampa Bay Downs announced Wednesday it will admit spectators for its 2020-21 winter/spring meet that begins Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving. This season is the track’s 95th-anniversary campaign. Headlining that campaign is the 41st Tampa Bay Derby, the track’s marquee event, and a […]

Sole Volante is a legitimate favorite in the Tampa Bay Derby. But against rival Chance It, can he close like he did here in winning the Sam F. Davis Stakes? (Image: SV Photography/Tampa Bay Downs)

Sole Volante, Chance It Renew Rivalry at Tampa Bay Derby

- 3 min read

Up until last week, the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby looked to be the sole province of Sole Volante. The Sam F. Davis Stakes winner was more than a prohibitive favorite. He was the only horse anyone was talking about in the Kentucky Derby prep. That changed last week when […]

Chance It, seen here at Gulfstream Park beating As Seen On Tv by a nose in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes, has won four of his last six races. (Image: Lauren King)

Chance It Riding Wave of Momentum into Tampa Bay Chasing Derby Points

- 3 min read

The chance for a better post draw brought Chance It to town for Saturday’s Tampa Bay Derby. And the chance of a lifetime brought trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. to the cusp of qualifying for the Kentucky Derby — something he’s angled for since arriving in the US from Barbados in […]