A pair of Gerald Bennett owned-and-trained 4-year-old geldings, El Principito and Life Is Precious, inspired hopes for a strong 2026 campaign Friday against a quality field.
Mike Henry
MARIN IS MARTIN’S ITALIAN JOCKEY OF THE MONTH
Martin’s Italian Jockey of the Month Samuel Marin
DEC. 6 INAUGURAL, SANDPIPER STAKES DRAW NOMS FROM TOP BARNS
The 2025-26 Tampa Bay Downs stakes schedule kicks off Saturday, Dec. 6 with the 40th running of the $125,000 Inaugural Stakes for 2-year-olds and the 48th edition of the $125,000 Sandpiper Stakes for 2-year-old...
MARIN SHOWS NO SIGNS OF FATIGUE DESPITE HEAVY WORKLOAD, WINS 4
Samuel Marin, shown after a five-victory day last season, is off to a red-hot start.
OPENING DAY REVIEWS PROMISE PLENTY OF EXCITEMENT, FUN AHEAD
For many of the track’s employees, horsewomen, horsemen and jockeys, Wednesday’s Opening Day performance at Tampa Bay Downs produced the type of jitters normally associated with a theater premier. The product being...
OPENING DAY BRINGS BACK THE MEMORIES AND RACING THRILLS
Trainer Gregg Sacco enjoying a day at the races on Opening Day at Tampa Bay Downs, like his father and uncle did 74 years ago.
REJOICE, RACING FANS – CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OPENER IS WEDNESDAY
Samuel Marin, left, believes a second Tampa Bay Downs jockeys title is within reach under the guidance of his agent, past Oldsmar riding champion Mike Moran. The track’s 100th anniversary season begins at 12:40 p.m. on Wednesday with a nine-race card.
DOWNS TRAINER VANWINKLE SEEKS BREEDERS’ CUP GLORY WITH MAD HOUSE
Trainer David VanWinkle’s 3-year-old Mad House in the paddock at Parx Racing last month before his upset victory in the Grade II Gallant Bob Stakes, which stamped him as a Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint contender.
EARLY ARRIVALS FEEL RIGHT AT HOME; STAKES SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
A visitor to the Tampa Bay Downs barn area this morning needed to spend only a short bit of time with first-day arrivals Alison Arriagada and Alejandro Mendieta to realize both are living the dream. Arriagada, an...
FLORIDA-BREDS TO RECEIVE PURSE BOOST FOR 2025-26 MEET
OLDSMAR, FL. – Florida-bred horses will compete for an additional $1-million in purse money during the upcoming 2025-26 Tampa Bay Downs meet, the track’s 100th anniversary season. The increase brings the total of...
STRONG CLOSING WEEKEND CAPS SEASON OF ACROSS-THE-BOARD GROWTH
One of the most successful meets in recent history at Tampa Bay Downs almost never got off the ground. Severe damage last fall from Hurricanes Helene and Milton threatened to postpone the scheduled Nov. 20 opening. Had...
QUITE A RUN OF SUCCESS FOR DOWNS ‘GRADS’ ON DERBY WEEKEND
The combination of an action-packed 10-race card and the simulcast of the most exciting 2 minutes in sports Saturday attracted a crowd of 11,530 to Tampa Bay Downs, third-largest in track history and the second-largest...
O’CONNELL’S FOURTH LOCAL TRAINING TITLE ACHIEVED THROUGH TEAMWORK
Leading Trainer Kathleen O’Connell
ARRIAGADA CAPTURES THIRD CONSECUTIVE LEADING OWNER TITLE
Leading Owner Juan Arriagada with 5-year-old mare Sweet Nola
LEADING JOCKEY MARIN, TOP APPRENTICE HESS SAVOR MEET’S HIGHLIGHTS
Leading Apprentice Jockey Sara Hess and Leading Jockey Samuel Marin have made strong impressions on their fellow riders, horsemen and Tampa Bay Downs fans (courtesy SV Photography)
READY OR NOT, KENTUCKY DERBY WEEK HAS ARRIVED; MARIN WINS FIVE
Grade III Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby winner Owen Almighty will need a lot of racing luck to win the Run for the Roses, but the same can be said for most of the other 19 entrants (courtesy SV Photography)
MARIN CLINCHES HIS FIRST OLDSMAR RIDING CHAMPIONSHIP
Samuel Marin
MENESES OVERCOMES OBSTACLES TO EARN JOCKEY OF MONTH HONOR
Mother’s Restaurant Jockey of the Month Marcos Meneses
KENTUCKY OAKS, DERBY POST POSITION DRAWS TO BE SIMULCAST SATURDAY
Samy Camacho rides three winners
DIAZ SUFFERS DISLOCATED SHOULDER; HOPES TO RETURN BEFORE MEET’S END
Hector Rafael Diaz, Jr.