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Tampa Bay Downs Facts

Tampa Bay Downs Opens season

By DON JENSEN Times Correspondent
Published December 9, 2006

What: 81st season of thoroughbred racing

When: 94-day meet runs today through May 6

Where: 11225 Race Track Road, Oldsmar

Track: Dirt, 1 mile; turf, seven-eighths mile

Season highlights: Feb. 17, Festival Preview Day ($150,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes, $125,000 Endeavour Breeders' Cup and $75,000 Suncoast Stakes); Feb. 24, $150,000 Tampa Bay Breeders' Cup; March 17, Festival Day (Grade III $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby, $200,000 Florida Oaks and Grade III $150,000 Hillsborough Stakes); April 7, Florida Cup Day ($85,000 Ocala Breeders' Sale Sophomore, $85,000 Dayton Andrews Dodge Sophomore Turf, $85,000 Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies, $85,000 Hilton Garden Inn Sprint, $85,000 Cherokee River Stable Turf Classic and $85,000 Florida Cup Turf Distaff); May 5, Kentucky Derby Day ($75,000 Chris Thomas Turf Classic and $65,000 Lightning City Stakes)

2005-06 leaders: Rider, Jose Lezcano (92 wins); trainer, Kirk Ziadie (34 wins); owner, Richard Averill (17 wins)

Other activities: Simulcast wagering on thoroughbreds, standardbreds, greyhounds and jai alai; poker in Silks Card Room, golf at Downs Golf Facility

Web site: tampabaydowns.com

[Last modified December 9, 2006, 01:00:29]