This Week at Florida’s Tracks: March 28 to April 3

HorseracingFLA Staff Report

It’s Florida Derby week at Gulfstream Park, and it doesn’t get any bigger and better than this in Florida thoroughbred racing

Gulfstream is getting ready for Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby (Grade 1), which will be a showdown between the unbeaten stars Mohaymen and Nyquist.

The Florida Derby is 1 1/8 miles on dirt for 3-year-olds. Gulfstream will have seven other stakes on Saturday, its annual biggest race day of the year.

We will have previews throughout this week on this Web site and on our blog.

Gulfstream, in Hallandale Beach, will have its regular Wednesday through Sunday racing schedule.

First post is 12:00 p.m. this Saturday and 12:35 p.m. the other days this  week.

Tampa Bay Downs will have its regular schedule, with racing on Wednesday and then on Friday through Sunday. First post is 12:25 p.m. each day.

The Oldsmar track’s next stakes races will be on Saturday April 9, its annual Florida Cup day. It will have six stakes races, all restricted to Florida-breds.

Gulfstream’s seven other stakes races this Saturday are:

*$250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (Grade 2) – 1 1/16 miles dirt, 3-YO fillies

*$300,000 Honey Fox (Grade 2) – one mile turf, fillies & mares, 4-YO and up

*$200,000 Appleton (Grade 3) – one mile turf, 4-YO and up

*$150,000 Skip Away (Grade 3) 11/8 miles dirt, 4-YO and up

*$200,000 Orchid (Grade 3) – 1 3/8 miles turf; fillies & mares 4-YO and up

*$200,000 Pan American (Grade 3) – 1 3/8 miles turf, 4-YO and up

*$100,000 Sir Shackleton – 7 furlongs dirt, 4-YO and up

Gulfstream ParkGulfstreamPark-logo-final_new

901 S. Federal Highway Hallandale Beach, Fla. 33009 Phones — (954) 454-7000 Gulfstream Park Website

Gulfstream has racing on Wednesdays through Sundays during its winter meet that ends April 3.

In addition to live racing, Gulfstream has: * Simulcast wagering — seven days a week with more than 30 thoroughbred and harness tracks; open for simulcasting from 11 a.m. until approximately 11 p.m.

* Casino — the two casino rooms are open from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays

* Poker — 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays, and 24 hours on Saturdays and Sundays.

Tampa Bay DownsP1050943

11225 Race Track Road, Tampa, Florida 33626 Main Phone (813) 855-4401 Toll Free (In Florida) (866)-TBDOWNS (823-6967) Tampa Bay Downs Website

Tampa Bay Downs will have four-day race weeks for the remainder of its meet that will extend through May 8. Race days will be Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

On days when it does not have live racing, Tampa Bay Downs is open for simulcasting and its poker room and golf range are open their regular hours.

*The Silks Poker Room hours of operation: Daily, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 a.m.

The Downs Golf Practice Facility hours of operation:

Pro Shop: 8:30 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. daily (Last bucket sold at 7:45 p.m.)

Range: 8:30 a.m. – dusk daily

Short Game Area: 8:30 a.m. – dusk daily (lights out at 9:45 p.m.)