Welcome to Tampa Bay Downs
Tampa Bay Downs is the only Thoroughbred race track on the West Coast of Florida, and is known as one of America's oldest and most well-maintained racetracks. Tampa Bay Downs first opened its doors in 1926 under the name of Tampa Downs, and has since had a long and colorful history. The present owner purchased the track in 1986, and since then Tampa Bay Downs has been continually improving.
Tampa Bay Downs added its 7/8th mile grass track, complete with a ¼ mile chute, in 1998, and has become one of the most popular turf courses in North America. The millennium brought even more amenities to Tampa Bay Downs, including the Downs Golf Practice Facility, which allows patrons to practice their swing while viewing and wagering on simulcast racing; as well as The Silks Poker Room, the card room that has become one of the hottest spots in town. Both are open 7 days a week.
The Oldsmar oval is scheduled to resume live racing on December 1, 2012. Prior to the opening of Tampa Bay Downs's 85th racing season in December of 2010, the Tampa Bay Derby received a purse boost to $350,000 and a new Grade II status, cementing the race as a major stop on the Triple Crown trail.
Horse racing fans were treated to another great season of racing during the 2011-2012 Tampa Bay Downs meet, which included increases in attendance, handle and number of turf races run. With increased daily average purse money, a $2.6-million dollar stakes program, and year-round poker and golf, the Oldsmar oval is the one of the most action-packed places to go on the west coast of Florida!
Simulcasts are broadcast throughout the track, mostly on new flat-screened plasma or LCD televisions on both live racing days and during the track's off-season. Join us for all the sporting excitement at Tampa Bay Downs! Gates open at 11 a.m. and post time for the first race is approximately12:35 p.m., unless otherwise noted.
Click here for "The Official Newspaper of the Tampa Bay Downs"