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November 27, 2019
Gates open at 11:00 am
Post Time 12:25 pm
Opening Day is November 27th!
The 94th anniversary season in track history picks up where it left off on July 1, as top stables, trainers and jockeys return to the track famous for its immaculate turf course, swaying palm trees and fan-friendly atmosphere.
Free Admission
November 30, 2019
10 Days of Festivus On-line Handicapping Contest
Test your skills against the best Oldsmar oval handicappers from across the nation in this competition that runs through December 21. The winner receives a $1,000 prize!
Register Here
Tampa Bay Sport Day
In-the-know fans have an opportunity to win tickets to various professional and college events in the Tampa Bay area by correctly answering trivia questions and spinning a prize wheel. Tickets will be available for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Lightning, the Rays, the Outback Bowl, the Gasparilla Bowl, USF men’s and women’s basketball and the Valspar Championship.
December 7, 2019
Post Time 12:25 pm
Tampa Bay Owners Club
Fans can enjoy many of the perks of owning a Thoroughbred – without the financial risk – by entering this fantasy- based contest. Select the winner of a designated race and become part of the “syndicate.” You’ll receive free admission and a program each time “your” new horse competes, along with a mutuel voucher, concession stand discounts, an attractive pin and trips to the paddock and (hopefully) the winner’s circle.
Cotillion Festival Day
The track’s fastest 2-year-old Thoroughbreds of both sexes compete for stakes riches, with colts and geldings vying in the $100,000 Inaugural Stakes and fillies dueling in the $100,000 Sandpiper Stakes.
December 14, 2019
Post Time 12:25 pm
Touch Vodka Breakfast at the Downs
Get an early start on the day’s racing excitement by attending the annual “Touch Vodka Breakfast at the Downs” beginning at 9:00 a.m. under the Trackside Picnic Pavilion Tent. Jockeys and trainers will be on hand as you watch the morning workouts. That afternoon's card features two Florida-bred sire stakes. Tickets may be pre-purchased at www.tampabaydowns.com or at the entrance the day of the event.
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December 26-29, 2019
Post Time 12:25 pm
Calendar Giveaway
Tampa Bay Downs presents the 2020 edition of its popular, free commemorative calendar to the first 10,000 patrons, with paid admission.
December 28, 2019
10:00 am
Morning Glory Begins
Track announcer Richard Grunder brings a keen insight into Downs racing while interviewing the track’s outstanding riders, trainers and personalities each Saturday morning through Festival Day, March 7. Free coffee and donuts, plus a backdrop of horses working out, enhance the ambience!
January 5, 2020
Post Time 12:25 pm
Sunday Brunch Begins
Savor a full day of racing and first-class cuisine in the Skye Terrace Dining Room for only $29.99 a person, with a full breakfast followed by traditional Sunday dinner fare and scrumptious desserts. Reservations are suggested; no shorts or skorts, and collared shirts for gentlemen, please.
Call 813-855-4401, ext. 1315 to make reservations.
January 11, 2020
Post Time 12:25 pm
High Rollers Handicapping Contest 
Bettors put up $1,000 to chase a $20,000 first prize (based on 100 players), other cash awards and seats for the top two finishers at either the 2020 or 2021 National Thoroughbred Racing Association National Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas, plus accommodations. Do you have the steel and the know-how to compete?
The January 11 event will be the Last Chance/First Opportunity with Tour Points to win two seats for the 2020 or 2021 NTRA NHC in Las Vegas. The most recent NHC offered prize money and awards totaling more than $2.8 million. #NHC2020 will be held February 7-9, 2020 at Bally’s.
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HIGH ROLLERS HANDICAPPING CONTEST RULES
January 18, 2020
Post Time 12:25 pm
Skyway Festival Day
Talented 3-year-olds compete in a pair of $125,000 stakes races – the Pasco for colts and geldings and the Gasparilla for fillies – while their owners and trainers eye even bigger prizes down the road.
College Day
Current college students and high school seniors pursuing a post-secondary education can enter a drawing for a chance to earn one of five $2,000 scholarships. From 25 finalists to be drawn at random, winners will be chosen based on an essay on marketing horse racing to their own generation. All students are admitted free with proper ID.
January 25, 2020
Post Time 12:25 pm
Cap Giveaway Day
A free Tampa Bay Downs cap with the distinctive track logo to all patrons with paid admission, while supplies last. Jockeys will be on hand to sign autographs!
February 1, 2020
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Bourbon & Barbecue
Devotees of some of life's finer things can enjoy a barbecue buffet, fine bourbon tasting, and hand-rolled cigars.
The event will be under the Trackside Picnic Pavilion Tent from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Tasting will be from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.; food will be put out at noon. $39.95 includes the full barbecue buffet, bourbon and cigars, admission, a racing program and a chance at the prize wheel.
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February 8, 2020
Post Time 12:25 pm
Festival Preview Day Presented by Lambholm South
A major day of racing with implications for the national 3-year-old picture, this day features three graded events, highlighted by the Grade III, $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes for Triple Crown candidates. Also on tap are the Grade III, $175,000 Lambholm South Endeavour Stakes, the Grade III, $175,000 Tampa Bay Stakes and the $150,000 Suncoast Stakes.
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Live It Up Challenge Handicapping Contest
The popular competition is back, complete with daily Challenge Races, lifelines and cash prizes. Players can participate free of charge!
February 9 & 16, March 1 & 15, 2020
Post Time 12:25 pm
Kids & Family Days
Thoroughbred racing has never been so much fun for the entire family! In addition to the on-track action, everyone will get to meet track mascot Mouse the Miniature Horse, and the kids can enjoy pony rides, bounce houses and a variety of games and special activities.
February 15, 2020
Post Time 12:25 pm
Sprint Showcase Day
Outstanding sprinters bask in the spotlight in the $100,000 Pelican Stakes for horses 4-years-old-and-upward and the $50,000 Minaret Stakes for fillies and mares 4-and-upward. Both races are contested at a distance of 6 furlongs. Watch the track’s speediest Thoroughbreds attempt to leave their rivals gasping!
February 22, 2020
Post Time 12:25 pm
Turf Sprint Showcase Day
Watch some of the fastest grass sprinters in the sport compete for bragging rights in the $100,000 Turf Dash for older males and the $100,000 Lightning City Stakes for fillies and mares.
February 22-23, 2020
Downs Golf Practice Facility
Golfest
Tampa Bay’s largest golf expo gives players an opportunity to sample and buy the latest in new equipment from major manufacturers, as well as trade in their old clubs for new sticks. The weekend’s activities include guest speakers and entertainers; mini-golf, putting and chipping contests; and a “Golf Ball” drawing to win from a $5,000 pool of prizes.
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February 29, 2020
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Seafood Fest (Includes Beer & Wine Tastings)
What better place than Tampa Bay Downs to savor delicious mouth-watering delights?
The event will be under the Trackside Picnic Pavilion Tent from noon - 4:00 p.m.
$34.95 includes seafood boil, shrimp, jambalaya and the fixin's, plus world-famous King’s Cake, wine and beer tastings, admission, a racing program and a chance at the prize wheel.
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March 7, 2020
Post Time 12:00 noon
Tampa Bay Downs Festival Day
The biggest racing day of the season, with $1-million in stakes purses alone, is highlighted by the 40th renewal of the Grade II, $400,000 Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby for 3-year-old Triple Crown candidates. Other showcase events include the Grade II, $225,000 Hillsborough Stakes and the Grade III, $200,000 Florida Oaks, both on the turf; the $100,000 Challenger Stakes; and the $75,000 Columbia Stakes.
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March 14, 2020
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Tequila & Tacos
Savor the flavors of Mexico as you handicap the races and enjoy all the action. It’s a fiesta not to be missed!
The event will be under the Trackside Picnic Pavilion Tent from noon to 4:00 p.m.
$29.95 includes an all-you-can-eat taco bar plus tequila tastings, churros, admission, a racing program and a chance at the prize wheel.
Buy Tickets
March 29, 2020
Post Time 12:25 pm
Florida Cup Day
Top Florida-breds compete for more than $750,000 in purse money in the 18th annual showcase. Six $110,000 stakes races are featured, at a variety of distances, on both dirt and turf.
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April 18, 2020
Corgi Races After The Races
If you’re open to falling in love all over again, stay after the Thoroughbred card to watch those adorable Corgis put on a show. They’re fast, cuddly and eager to work for treats!
May 2, 2020
Post Time 12:00 noon
Kentucky Derby Day
Will this be the third time the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby produces a winner of the Run for the Roses? If you can’t be at Churchill Downs, the Oldsmar oval is the place to find out. Tampa Bay Downs offers a special 12-race card followed by the simulcast of the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. Mint juleps will be sold here in the official souvenir Derby glass. Louisville has the race, but we have one heck of a party!
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May 3, 2020
Post Time 12:25 pm
Fan Appreciation Day
Free Grandstand admission and parking, plus beer, soda and hot dog specials from 11 a.m.-3 pm It’s our way of saying “Thank you so much!” to our loyal customers.
June 30, 2020
Post Time 12:25 pm
Summer Festival of Racing
This two-day annual event opens with the final card of the 90-day, 2019-2020 meeting, followed the next day by the start of the 2020-2021 season. It’s an ideal way to kick off your Independence Day celebration.