Tampa Bay Derby Tickets

The Tampa Bay Derby is a horse race that takes place annually at the Tampa Bay Downs racetrack in Florida. This Grade II stakes race attracts some of the top three-year-old horses from across the country, making it an important event on the horse racing calendar.

This race has been held at Tampa Bay Downs since 1981 and has become a popular fixture for both fans and trainers alike. In fact, many trainers use this race as a stepping stone to the Kentucky Derby, which is the most famous horse race in the world.

What makes the Tampa Bay Derby unique is that it is unusual for a track in Florida to host a race that attracts such a large number of talented three-year-olds. Typically, these types of races are held on the East Coast or in California. However, the Tampa Bay Derby has proven to be a successful venue for showcasing young talent in the sport of horse racing.

Each year, the race offers a purse of $400,000 and is run over a distance of 1 1/16 miles. This distance is longer than many other road-to-the-Kentucky-Derby races, such as the Fountain of Youth Stakes or the Holy Bull Stakes. This gives trainers a chance to test their horses’ stamina and see how they perform over a longer distance.

Over the years, the Tampa Bay Derby has produced several notable winners, including Destin (2016) and Tapwrit (2017). Both of these horses went on to compete in the Kentucky Derby, with Tapwrit winning the race and cementing his place in horse racing history.

In addition to attracting top horses, the Tampa Bay Derby is also popular among fans who come out to enjoy the excitement of live horse racing. The atmosphere at Tampa Bay Downs is electric on race day with thousands of fans cheering on their favorite horses.

As the road to the Kentucky Derby heats up each year, the Tampa Bay Derby remains one of the most important races on the calendar. With its rich history and exciting atmosphere, this race is a must-see event for fans of horse racing everywhere.