The biggest day of the Tampa Bay Downs season is Saturday, March 11 as a big field has been assembled for the Tampa Bay Derby (G3), a stepping-stone race to the 149th Kentucky Derby.
It has been a while since a Tampa Bay Derby winner has gone on to win the Run for the Roses – Street Sense in 2007 is the only one to complete that double – and other than morning line favourite TAPIT TRICE (Tapit), the starters in this year’s race have much to prove.
The Tampa Bay Derby is race 11 on a 12-race card and its post time is 5:15 p.m.
Tapit Trice could be trainer Todd Pletcher’s sixth Tampa Bay Derby winner and this $1.3 million yearling purchase looks like he has the talent to be any kind. He comes off an eight-length allowance win with a 92 Beyer Figure at Gulfstream in a one-mile race around one turn. The colt is owned by Whisper Hill Farm and breeder Gainesway Thoroughbreds.
Woodbine’s leading trainer Mark Casse has a starter who can contend and that is CLASSIC CAR WASH, owned by Gary Barber. A Kentucky-bred gelding by Noble Bird, Classic War Wash was recently third in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes behind Litigate (who is not in the Tampa Bay Derby) and Groveland (who is in this field). Groveland, incidentally, is a son of Street Sense.
There are some Canadian-connected horses in the supporting stakes at Tampa Bay on Saturday.
Florida Oaks (G3)
Ontario bred MISSION OF JOY (Kitten’s Joy – Smart Mission by Smart Strike) has won two straight races, both on grass, for trainer Graham Motion. The chestnut filly was bred by Sam-Son Farms and she will race with Lasix for the first time in this $200,000 race at 1 1/16 miles on the grass.
The Challenger Stakes (G3)
Two-time Canadian Horse of the Year MIGHTY HEART returns to the dirt for this $100,000 race at 1 1/16 miles. The 6-year-old horse by Dramedy won his season debut at Tampa Bay Downs in an optional allowance with an 85 Beyer Figure. The two horses behind him that day, Bumperdoo and Helium, both lost for $32,000 claiming/optional in the next race. Mighty Heart was on the grass for the Tampa Bay Stakes on Feb. 4 but was caught up in a sizzling pace duel and he finished last of 12. Keveh Nicholls returns to ride.
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