In 1926 Tampa Bay Downs was born in Oldsmar, Florida. The one-mile oval track, called Tampa Downs at the time, welcomed celebrities like Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey and John Ringling on opening day February 18. The thirties were a struggle for everyone, and that included the track as the depression hit everyone that decade. During World War II, the track was commandeered by the military for jungle warfare training. It reopened in 1947 as Sunshine Park under a management group of the same name. Sports writer Grantland Rice referred to it as the Santa Anita of the South.
1954 brought about some renovations that had horse owners raving about Sunshine Park. A new ownership group took over in 1965, which included George Steinbrenner, who loved horse racing and owned bred horses until his death. The new owners renamed the track Florida Downs and Turf Club. Within the next few years they constructed an $800,000 grandstand built to hold 6000 patrons. Sam F. Davis became owner of the track in 1972, and they had their best season yet – a total handle of over $11 million. It was after his retirement that the track became known as Tampa Bay Downs, and his name lives on today with the Sam F Davis Stakes, a race for three-year olds who are in contention for the Kentucky Derby.
Tampa Bay Downs has seen its fair share of great jockey stories as well. Richard DePass made history at Tampa Bay Downs being the only jockey to go seven for seven on one card. Female jockey Julie Krone headed to the Winner's Circle at Tampa Bay Downs for the first time in 1981, and went on to have 3704 wins in her career. The track has also seen several winning horses come from Oldsmar, including Street Sense who won the Tampa Bay Derby in 2007 two months prior to winning the Kentucky Derby. Always Dreaming also made its way to the Run for The Roses via Tampa Bay Downs in 2017.
Also making racing history are current owners Stella Thayer and her brother Howard Ferguson who became owners in 1987, and by bringing in General Manager Lorraine King set the first known instance of separate female ownership and management simultaneously in the horse racing business.
Live Simulcast wagering began at Tampa Bay Downs in 1989 and continues to this day, while the Silks Poker Room has become very popular for area card players. Both are open year round, but live racing takes place only November through May.
The 144th Kentucky Derby will be simulcast at Tampa Bay Downs next Saturday May 5th. The party begins at 1030 a.m., and continues through the race schedule for a 6:46 post time. There will be special drinks, souvenir glasses and a special 12-race card prior to the showing of the Derby. The following day, Tampa Bay Downs hosts a fan appreciation day as their live racing season ends. Free Grandstand admission and parking, discounted food and drinks, are all yours from 11am-3pm on Sunday!
Tampa Bay Downs
11225 Race Track Road
Tampa, FL 33626
813-855-4401
