Tampa Bay Downs

A plan is in the works to extend the race meet at Tampa Bay Downs beyond its scheduled May 3 closing, but a track official deferred comment on specifics while the request is pending at the state level. The Tampa overnight for the Apr. 24 races (drawn on Apr. 19), led with the notice "Attention Horsemen: We are seriously considering extending the meet," but no additional details were disclosed. When reached via phone on Tuesday, Peter Berube, Tampa's vice president and general manager, said, "I'm really not going to comment...

7th-TAM, $20K, Msw, 3yo, 7f, 3:30 p.m. ET Lynne and Edward Hudson's pricey sophomore colt CREED (Honor Code) adds spice to the Wednesday card at Tampa Bay Downs as he makes his career debut for Shug McGaughey in this elongated sprint. A son of GSP Aspiring (Seeking the Gold), the bay hammered for $650,000 at Keeneland September and boasts a strong female family. Second dam Lassie's Legacy (Deputy Minister) is out of MGSW/GISP Weekend Surprise (Secretariat), making her a half-sister to the legendary A.P. Indy (Seattle Slew) and MGISW Summer...

7th-TAM, $20K, Msw, 3yo, 1 1/16mT Frank Calabrese homebred BIG DREAMING (Declaration of War) makes his first start for conditioner Mike Stidham here. He will be the sixth foal to race out of 2006's champion 2-year-old filly Dreaming of Anna (Rahy), who is already responsible for GSW Dreamologist (Tapit); speedy GISP young sire Fast Anna (Medaglia d'Oro); and SP All Her Class (Street Cry {Ire}), who in turn produced turf SW and dirt GISP With Honors (War Front). Out of MSW and GSP Justenuffheart (Broad Brush), Dreaming of Anna is...

Four years ago, Andrew Hudson and his father Greg and brother David decided to partner up on some race horses, purchasing three yearlings for their fledgling Hoolie Racing Stable. The partnership had near instant success when Dream It Is (Shackleford), purchased for $50,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, won the GIII Schuylerville S. at Saratoga in 2017. The original trio of purchases added another graded stakes tally to its resume when Admiralty Pier (English Channel), purchased in partnership with Bruce Lunsford for $100,000 at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga...

The Florida Cup, a series of six $110,000 stakes races for registered Florida-breds and Tampa Bay Downs's annual showcase for the state's Thoroughbred breeding and racing industries, has been cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis. The event, which was first run in 2003, had been scheduled for Sunday, March 29. Peter Berube, the track's Vice President-General Manager, said a portion of the $660,000 in Florida Cup purse money will be allocated to the track's overnight purse account, enabling Tampa Bay Downs to continue its 2019-2020 meeting beyond next...

Cathy Dwyer, the longtime Simulcast Director at Tampa Bay Downs and, most recently, the Director of Operations at Premier Turf Club (BetPTC.com), passed away this weekend in New Port Richey, Florida after a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer. Dwyer was 65. Born in Brooklyn, NY in 1954, Dwyer moved with her family to Chicago as a child. She later worked on the Chicago stock exchange. In 1983, she moved to the west coast of Florida with her family. In late 1990 she took a job in the marketing department...

Tampa Bay Downs is set to join the growing number of Thoroughbred tracks that are conducting racing without spectators during Wednesday's eight-race card, which begins at 12:40 p.m. The decision to limit attendance to horsemen, jockeys, essential staff, state-licensed officials and accredited media for the foreseeable future was made in response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis. Tracks in Florida, California, New York, Kentucky, Arkansas and Texas are racing without patrons. It was also announced that the Mar. 28 G1 Dubai World Cup card will be run without spectators. Keeneland's spring...

With escalating fears over the spread of coronavirus, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort has decided to run all races this weekend without on-site spectators, it was announced late Thursday evening. Saturday's card is headed by the $1-million GII Rebel S. for 3-year-olds. Oaklawn President Louis Cella said, "We represent the sport of kings. As such, we will act in a similar fashion to other sports organizations throughout the country. The health and safety of our fans, horsemen, and team members have always been and will continue to be our top priorities."...

During his baseball career, Victor Martinez was known for being cool under pressure and good in the clutch. It appears that he has a horse with the same attributes. It looks like the presence of a former Major League All-Star is going to spice up this year's GI Kentucky Derby. Martinez, who debuted in the majors in 2002 with the Cleveland Indians, played a season-and-a-half for the Boston Red Sox, and retired after playing for the Detroit Tigers in 2018, is the owner of GII Tampa Bay Derby winner King...

Ed DeRosa of Brisnet.com takes on TDN's Steve Sherack and Brian DiDonato as they handicap Triple Crown prep races plus the big three races themselves. The three will make $100 Win/Place bets in the preps and $200 Win/Place bets in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont. Highest bankroll at the end wins. DeRosa - GII Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S. Results - Country Grammer ran well enough last week to sneak into my Kentucky Derby rankings, but not well enough to win any points, so I'm looking to bust out...

Moving from strength to strength since kicking off his career last October, Sole Volante (Karakontie {Jpn}) has been tabbed the 2-1 morning-line favorite for Saturday's GII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby. A winner on the turf in his first two starts last season, including the Pulpit S. at Gulfstream Park Nov. 30, the gelding finished a credible third in the Jan. 4 Mucho Macho Man S. and later in the month, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing bought a majority stake in the Triple Crown prospect, joining owners Andie Biancone and Limelight Stables...

6th-Tampa Bay Downs, $20,000, Alw (NW1X)/Opt. Clm ($75,000), 2-14, 3yo, 1m 40y, 1:38.88, ft. GOUVERNEUR MORRIS (c, 3, Constitution--Addison Run {SP}, by Unbridled's Song) had to overcome a few tense moments, but ultimately kicked off his sophomore season successfully Friday afternoon at Tampa. A nine-length debut winner sprinting in the Saratoga slop Sept. 2, the grey was second as the favorite behind a dominant performance from Maxfield (Street Sense) and ahead of last month's GIII Lecomte S. winner Enforceable (Tapit). His connections opted to skip a trip to the Breeders'...