Tampa Bay Downs has been a cornerstone of Florida racing since 1926, when it first opened its doors. Over the decades it has grown into one of the country’s most popular tracks, beloved by fans, horsemen, and bettors alike. While racing began on dirt, the addition of a turf course in 1998 quickly gave Tampa Bay Downs one of the most respected grass surfaces in North America. Today, the track’s live meet runs from late fall through spring, offering competitive fields and a steady stream of major stakes races.
Beyond the live action, Tampa Bay also offers off-track betting (OTB) opportunities that allow fans to wager on races from across the country. Whether on-site at dedicated facilities or online through racebooks, horseplayers can follow and bet races year-round, making Tampa Bay Downs a hub for both local and national racing action.
Tampa Bay Downs Racetrack Best Bets
If you’re ready to bet Tampa Bay Downs, keep a few things in mind.
Tampa Bay Downs has a dirt course that tends to divide opinion, so it pays to compare each horse’s local record with their form elsewhere. Some thrive on the surface—often popping at good odds early in the meet—while others consistently underperform, making vulnerable favorites worth opposing.
Running style and post position also matter. In dirt sprints, early speed is strong from any gate, though the inside posts (1–3) hold an edge. In dirt routes, inside to middle posts (4–6) are most reliable, with forwardly placed runners typically faring better than deep closers. Turf sprints are too limited to reveal consistent patterns, but in turf routes any post can win, with stalkers and closers generally outperforming pacesetters.
Remember, you can wager on Tampa Bay Downs from anywhere with an account at an online or offshore racebook. Whether on your computer, tablet, or phone, these platforms provide up-to-the-minute fields and odds, along with bankroll-boosting perks like sign-up and deposit bonuses, referral rewards, and ongoing promotions to keep your account growing.
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Top Horse Races at Tampa Bay Downs
Tampa Bay Downs hosts a robust stakes schedule each season, featuring multiple graded events on both dirt and turf.
Tampa Bay Derby
The Tampa Bay Derby is the premier race at Tampa Bay Downs and a key prep for the Kentucky Derby. Run at 1 1/16 miles on dirt, it regularly attracts top three-year-olds and awards qualifying points toward a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate.
Over the years, the race has been a springboard to success on racing’s biggest stages. Todd Pletcher has trained multiple winners, including Tapwrit, who went on to capture the Belmont Stakes, and Tapit Trice, who added the Blue Grass to his résumé.
Challenger Stakes
The Challenger Stakes is a 1 1/16-mile dirt race for older horses that has become a highlight of the Tampa Bay Downs spring meet. First run in 2002, it later earned graded status and is typically contested in early March on the same card as the Tampa Bay Derby.
The race has produced several standout winners, from Fort Larned—who went on to capture the Breeders’ Cup Classic—to consistent graded-stakes performers like Skippylongstocking. Top trainers, including Todd Pletcher, have also left their mark on the event with multiple victories.
Florida Oaks
The Florida Oaks is a prominent stakes race for three-year-old fillies at Tampa Bay Downs, contested at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. Once run on dirt as a prep for the Kentucky Oaks, it has since become a key turf feature and a showcase for rising stars in the division.
The race has produced notable winners over the years, with Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott leading all conditioners with multiple victories. A pair of earlier dirt winners—Luv Me Luv Me Not and Secret Status—went on to capture the Kentucky Oaks, underscoring the caliber of horses that emerge from this race.
Hillsborough Stakes
The Hillsborough Stakes is a premier turf race for older fillies and mares at Tampa Bay Downs, contested at 1 1/8 miles on the grass. It has become one of the track’s most prestigious events, regularly attracting top-class turf runners.
Leading turf trainer Chad Brown has enjoyed repeated success in the race with multiple winners, while standout champions such as Tepin and Dreaming of Anna have added to its reputation as a showcase for elite mares.
Sam F. Davis Stakes
The Sam F. Davis Stakes is a key dirt race for three-year-olds at Tampa Bay Downs, run at 1 1/16 miles. Serving as an early-season prep for the Tampa Bay Derby and part of the road to the Kentucky Derby, it often highlights promising sophomores on the rise.
The race has produced several notable winners, with trainers such as Todd Pletcher enjoying repeated success. Many Sam F. Davis champions have gone on to take the Tampa Bay Derby, underscoring its role as an important stepping stone toward greater spring classics.
Endeavour Stakes
The Endeavour Stakes is a turf race for older fillies and mares at Tampa Bay Downs, run at 1 1/16 miles. It has become a fixture of the winter racing calendar and a reliable starting point for top turf mares.
The race has showcased several champions over the years, including Dreaming of Anna, Zagora, and Tepin, all of whom used the Endeavour as a springboard to major international or Breeders’ Cup victories. Its roll of honor highlights the quality of turf runners who begin their campaigns at Tampa Bay Downs.
