December 1, 2018
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 22. The winner receives a $1,000 prize!
December 8, 2018
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.
December 15, 2018
Post Time 12:25 pm
Touch Vodka Brunch at the Downs
Get an early start on the day’s racing excitement by attending the annual “Touch Vodka Brunch at the Downs” beginning at 9 a.m. under the Trackside Picnic Pavilion Tent. Jockeys and trainers will be on hand as you watch the morning workouts. Tickets may be pre-purchased at www.tampabaydowns.com or at the entrance the day of the event.
December 15, 2018
Post Time 12:25 pm
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. Also on the stakes schedule are two $125,000 Florida Sire Stakes sponsored by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.
December 26, 28, 29, and 30, 2018
Post Time 12:25 pm
Calendar Giveaway
Tampa Bay Downs presents the 2019 edition of its popular, free commemorative calendar to the first 10,000 patrons, with paid admission.
January 5, 2019
Post Time 12:25 pm
Military Appreciation Day
Active and retired military personnel are admitted free of charge, with proper ID, as the Oldsmar oval salutes their contributions to the American way of life.
January 6, 2019
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.
January 12, 2019
Post Time 12:25 pm
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 19, 2019
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.
January 19, 2019
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 2019 or 2020 Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred Racing Association National Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas, plus accommodations. Do you have the steel and the know-how to compete?
January 26, 2019
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 9, 2019
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 and the Grade III, $175,000 Tampa Bay Stakes, both on the turf, and the $150,000 Suncoast Stakes. Festival Preview Day also kicks off the “Live It Up Challenge” Handicapping Contest.
February 10 & 17, March 3 & 17, 2019
Post Time 12:25 pm
Kids and 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 23-24, 2019
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.
March 9, 2019
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 39th 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. To help celebrate Festival Day, a commemorative umbrella with the distinctive track logo will be given out to all fans with paid admission, while supplies last.
March 31, 2019
Post Time 12:25 pm
Florida Cup Day
The 17th annual showcase gives Florida-breds in all divisions a chance to compete for $690,000 in stakes purses. Six $115,000 races are featured, at a variety of distances, on both dirt and turf.
May 4, 2019
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, including two FTBOA stakes races, followed by the simulcast of the 145th 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!
May 5, 2019
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, 2019
Post Time 12:25 pm
Summer Festival of Racing
This two-day annual event opens with the final card of the 91-day, 2018-2019 meeting, followed the next day by the start of the 2019-2020 season. It’s an ideal way to kick off your Independence Day celebration.