HorseracingFLA Staff Report
Saturday was a day of records in two stakes races and in handle at Tampa Bay Downs, on its annual Festival Day.
Destin won the $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (Grade 2) for 3-YOs in track record time of 1:42.82 for 1 1/16 miles on dirt. He gained 50 qualifying points for the May 7 Florida Derby (Grade 1) and is virtually assured a spot in that race’s 20-horse field.
Outlook finished second in the Tampa Bay Derby. He earned 20 qualifying points, which could be enough to get him into the Kentucky Derby.
Todd Pletcher trains Destin and Outlook, and likely will run each in a Kentucky Derby prep next month.
Tepin won the $200,000 Hillsborough (Grade 2) for fillies and mares 4-YO and up in course record time of 1:46.26 for 1 1/8 miles on turf.
Baciami Piccola won the $150,000 Florida Oaks (Grade 3) at 1 1/16 miles on turf for 3-YO fillies
Adirondack King won the $100,000 Challenger at 1 1/16 miles on dirt for 4-YOs and up.
The crowd of 10,206 contributed $815,918 to an all-time record wagering handle of $12,250,446.88. That shattered the previous mark of $10,949,948 set on March 12, 2011 which was Festival Day that year.
Later today and on Monday, we will have more details and analysis on Saturday’s racing and handle at Tampa Bay Downs.
