Parimutuels

Improvements to Tampa Bay Downs may make 80th season its best

By DON JENSEN
Published December 10, 2005

OLDSMAR - The anniversary candles have been lit. They won't burn out until the spring.

Tampa Bay Downs is ready for its 80th season of thoroughbred racing. An 11-race card, highlighted by the $60,000 Inaugural Stakes, kicks off the track's 2005-06 campaign today. The 94-day meet runs through May 7.

New trainers and new riders have come to Tampa Bay Downs. California-based Jerry Hollendorfer, who ranks fifth in all-time national wins, leads the conditioner invaders. Calder rider Aurelio Toribio Jr. joins a jockey colony missing its leading rider from the past two seasons.

Jesus Castanon will be absent on opening day as he competes at Turfway Park, Ky., where he tops the jockey standings. Several riders and jockey agents said they believe Castanon will return sometime in 2006.

Eight-time trainer champion Don Rice is back to defend his title.

Tampa's 26 stakes races will be worth more than $2.3-million, an all-time high. The track's premier race, Grade III, $250,000 Tampa Bay Derby, will head Festival Day on March 18. Other major events will be Festival Preview Day on Feb. 18, when the track will celebrate its 80th anniversary; and Florida Cup Day on April 8.

There's also something new for fans. Track management reduced the takeout on exotic wagers (exacta, quinella, daily double, Pick 3 and Pick 4) by 1 percent.

"It's a significant improvement when wagering on Tampa Bay Downs," track vice president of marketing and publicity Margo Flynn said. "It means more money in the fans' pockets and that's what they like to see. We're looking to please everybody and put our best foot forward."

Improvements were made to the facility, including a stable gate entrance off Linebaugh Avenue. The Silks Card Room was expanded to 22 tables for poker players.

The track also has a new racing secretary, John Morrissey.

"We have about 300 stalls allotted to new trainers this year," Flynn said. "That's a significant number over what we've had in the past, so we're excited about having an influx of new blood into the system."

Beginning in January, the track will have a 30-minute television show Saturday nights at 11:30 on WTSP-Ch. 10, reviewing the week's activity.

"We're expecting a bang-up 80th year and looking forward for it to be another record-breaker," Flynn said.

Fourteen horses are entered in the Inaugural, a 6-furlong dirt test for 2-year-olds. The No. 1 post position belongs to Forest Danz, a Kentucky-bred gelding to be ridden by Toribio. The Inaugural will be the 10th race with post time at about 4:38 p.m.

On Sunday, fans have a final opportunity to qualify for the 2006 Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred Racing Association National Handicapping Championship.

Gates open daily at 11 a.m. with first post time at 12:25 p.m.

DOG RACING: Derby Lane will hold the final of the Matinee Idol today. The 550-yard sprint is the track's only afternoon stakes race. Bob's Spider and Its Classic Rock won races Wednesday to lead qualifying. The field in post position order: Whistler's Miss, Rambition, Top Cat Orson, Tulin Angel, Its Classic Rock, Bob's Spider, Rx Hummer and Husker Hannah. The Matinee Idol will be Race 6 on the matinee's 14-race card with post time at about 1:58 p.m. There is free admission today for the matinee and night performances. ... Oshkosh Juliet bobbleheads will be given away Friday night. It is the final bobblehead in the series of eight.

[Last modified December 10, 2005, 00:51:18]