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Fourth Purse Increase for Tampa at this Meet

Beginning with Wednesday's card, Tampa Bay Downs will increase purses by 10% due to continued gains in simulcast revenue. It marks the fourth time purses have been upped during the 2020-21 meeting, which opened Nov. 25 and will continue to May 2, with previous boosts occurring Dec. 16, Feb. 3, and Feb. 20.

“The latest increase is a tribute to our horsemen who strive to deliver a quality product, the racing office for its efforts to provide competitive racing with full fields, and fans around the country who continue to flock to our signal,” said Peter Berube, Tampa Bay's vice president and general manager.

According to the Oldsmar track, purses for each race will increase by $3,000 from their previous levels. Maiden special weights have been raised to $29,000, which includes $1,000 per race from the Florida Owners' Awards program.

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Rain Prompts Tampa Bay Downs To Move Turf Sprint Showcase Stakes To Feb. 21

The $100,000, five-furlong Turf Dash Stakes for 4-years-old-and-upward and the $100,000, five-furlong Lightning City Stakes for fillies and mares 4-and-upward have been moved from Saturday to Sunday, Feb. 21, Tampa Bay Downs vice president-general manager Peter Berube announced Sunday morning.

The races are the centerpiece of the track's annual Turf Sprint Showcase Day.

“The turf course has taken in excess of 2 inches of rain the last two days, with more rain forecast during the week,” Berube said. “By switching the races to Sunday now, horsemen planning to enter either race will have sufficient time to adjust their training schedules. Our hope is that the turf course will be in its usual excellent condition by next Sunday.”

Entries for both races will be taken Thursday.

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Tampa Pushes Back Turf Sprint Stakes

Tampa Bay Downs has pushed back its pair of $100,000 five-furlong turf sprints, the Turf Dash S. for older males and Lightning City S. for fillies and mares, from next Saturday to Sunday, Feb. 21. The pair of events are the centerpieces of the track's annual Turf Sprint Showcase Day. “The turf course has taken in excess of two inches of rain the last two days, with more rain forecast during the week,” Tampa Bay Downs Vice President-General Manager Peter Berube said. “By switching the races to Sunday now, horsemen planning to enter either race will have sufficient time to adjust their training schedules. Our hope is that the turf course will be in its usual excellent condition by next Sunday.” Entries for Sunday's card will be taken Thursday.

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Tampa Bay Downs Announces 10 Percent Purse Increase

Tampa Bay Downs horsemen and horsewomen will benefit from another increase in purse money beginning with Wednesday's card.

The approximate 10-percent boost will provide a $1,000 increase for all maiden special weight, allowance, claiming and starter races.

Peter Berube, the track's Vice President-General Manager, said a double-digit gain in simulcast wagering has more than offset a decline in on-track wagering, making the second increase of the 2020-2021 meeting possible. The track had raised purses by approximately 10 percent on Dec. 16.

Tampa Bay Downs is averaging $4.1-million in daily handle on its product, a 15-percent increase from the same period last season. On-track wagering has fallen 25 percent, mostly attributable to the effect of COVID-19 on attendance.

“Our Thoroughbred signal is among the most popular in the country each winter and continues to gain new players, thanks to the size of our fields (an average of 8.4 horses a race) and our outstanding turf program,” Berube said. “We are pleased to use the increased revenue to support the people who make our racing competitive and challenging for serious handicappers and $2 bettors alike.”

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