Tampa Bay Downs

When Leandro Goncalves piloted the 6-year-old mare Seeking Reason to a two-and-a-half length victory in the second race at Tampa Bay Downs

Rallying from the middle of the pack under jockey Jeffrey Sanchez, 5-year-old Great Attack powered through the stretch Saturday to score a ¾-length victory

Great Attack, who finished fourth in the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs, and Grade III winner Madman Diaries form a potent one-two duo from the south Florida barn of trainer Wesley Ward

When Dennis Walters and his canine companion Bucky perform this weekend at Golfweek’s Golfest Presented by Transitions Championship 

Animal Kingdom, the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner and Eclipse Award recipient as Champion 3-Year-Old Male, headlines a group of 39 horses

Watch Me Go, the 2011 Tampa Bay Derby winner owned and bred by Gilbert G. Campbell and trained by Kathleen O’Connell, is set to make his 4-year-old debut Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs

 Golfers of all ages and ability levels can sample and buy new equipment, get free lessons, enjoy clinics and demonstrations and enter the $25,000 Putting Challenge

Appearing beaten until her final desperate strides, Canadian-bred 3-year-old filly Dixie Strike staged a whirlwind finish Saturday to win the 29^th running of the $150,000 Florida Oaks

Assistant trainer Heather Craig doesn’t care if anyone thinks Grade II winner State of Play looks fat

Trainer H. Graham Motion announced Wednesday his 2011 Kentucky Derby winner, Animal Kingdom, will probably make his first start as a 4-year-old Feb. 25

Tampa Bay Downs trainer Gerald Bennett could face a pleasant dilemma approaching the $75,000 Turf Dash Stakes on Feb. 18

Owner-trainer Lori Smock faced a choice earlier in the week whether to keep her 6-year-old Florida-bred gelding Allie’s Event at home for the $30,000 Tampa Bay Stakes Prep

A day after Charismatic shocked the Thoroughbred racing world by winning the 1999 Kentucky Derby

When Angel Serpa was named Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jockey of the Month on Wednesday, it came as no surprise to those who have witnessed his quick climb since arriving at Philadelphia Park

Undefeated Eclipse Award-winning 2-year-old Hansen is among 33 horses nominated for the 32^nd running of the Grade III, $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes

Taylors Irish surrendered the lead momentarily in the stretch, then found an extra burst of energy to surge past Island Bound and win Saturday’s $50,000-guaranteed

Jockeys Leandro Goncalves, Ronnie Allen, Jr. and Rosemary Homeister, Jr., have put some distance between themselves and their pursuers.

With two victories Sunday raising its total to 19 through the first 22 days of the 2011-12 Thoroughbred meeting.

After winning Wednesday’s second race at Tampa Bay Downs aboard 4-year-old gelding Dazzle Me Danny, veteran jockey Ronnie Allen, Jr. stressed the importance of experience.

Promising 3-year-olds from the barns of such top-level conditioners as Kentucky Derby-winning trainers H. Graham Motion and Todd Pletcher.

Tampa Bay Downs trainer Gerald Bennett has entered a dangerous one-two punch for Saturday’s $60,000-guaranteed Pelican Stakes.

As he signed autographs on his return to the jockeys’ room after winning his 1,000^th race in the United States at Tampa Bay Downs on Wednesday, Leandro Goncalves’ wide smile masked his emotions.

Based on his winning performance Friday at Tampa Bay Downs, Lentenor may be on the verge of stepping out from the huge shadow cast by his older full brother.

 Lentenor, a 4-year-old full brother to 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, is scheduled to make his Tampa Bay Downs racing debut 

Tampa Bay Downs Management is pleased to announce the debut of a free shuttle service for horses from Calder Casino & Race Course to Tampa Bay Downs.

Returning Tampa Bay Downs riding champion Ronnie Allen, Jr. rode two winners on Saturday’s card.

Thoroughbred fans looking for a respite from the holiday whirlwind have four more opportunities to enjoy live racing at Tampa Bay Downs before a four-day break to allow horsemen and racing officials time to celebrate the season with loved ones.

In an atmosphere of uncertainty, there is at least one sure thing at the racetrack – the unpredictability of 2-year-olds.

When It’s Me Mom won Wednesday’s $30,000 Minaret Prep at Tampa Bay Downs, it marked the fourth consecutive time the 3-year-old filly has raced against older horses.

Luke of York, who was considered a top candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint after his eye-popping victory in the Keeneland 75^th Anniversary Stakes, makes his dirt track debut Saturday.

Winning the $75,000 Lightning City Stakes aboard 4-year-old filly Jenny’s So Great on Opening Day at Tampa Bay Downs was a magical moment for jockey Rosemary Homeister Jr.

 Despite having ridden more than 2,400 winners in her career, jockey Rosemary Homeister Jr. felt she had something to prove on Opening Day at Tampa Bay Downs.

 Regardless of their actual birth date, all Thoroughbred race horses in North America officially turn a year older on Jan. 1.

Tampa Bay Downs bettors will have more handicapping information at their fingertips than ever during the 2011-12 season thanks to the track’s partnership with Trakus.

Tampa Bay Downs track announcer Richard Grunder will return to the booth Wednesday, Dec. 21 after missing the first seven racing days of the 2011-12 season for health reasons.

Defending champion Suzzona and Grade III stakes winners Jenny’s So Great and Rapport headline a quality group of 49 fillies and mares nominated for the eighth running of the $75,000-guaranteed Lightning City Stakes.
 

Fans, horsemen and the environment all stand to prosper when Tampa Bay Downs kicks off its 86^th season of live thoroughbred racing Dec. 3, the earliest opening date in track history.