Stakes money at record level
Tampa Bay Downs will offer a record $2.3 million in stakes during its 94-day 2005-06 meeting, which begins on Dec. 10. The Tampa, Fla., oval celebrates its 80th anniversary this year.
The Grade 3, $250,000 Tampa Bay Derby will again highlight the stakes schedule. It is one of four stakes to be offered on the March 18 Festival Day program, which will also include the Florida Oaks, the Grade 3 Hillsborough Stakes, and the Turf Dash.
The purses for several stakes have been increased this meet. The Florida Oaks purse has been raised $50,000, to $200,000; the Hillsborough $25,000, to $150,000; the Endeavour Breeders' Cup, Tampa Bay Breeders' Cup, and Sam F. Davis Stakes $25,000, to $125,000; and the Pasco Stakes $15,000, to $75,000.
"We have increased the purses on several stakes races and focused on improving the races on the schedule that are on the cusp of being graded," said Peter Berube, Tampa Bay vice president and general manager. "We feel that the quality of horses running in these six races in the past merits additional purse monies."
Festival Day is one of four multiple-stakes programs on the calendar. The others are Festival Preview Day on Feb. 18, Florida Cup Day on April 8, and closing day, May 7.
Tampa Bay Downs has a new racing secretary for the upcoming meet, John Morrissey.
Tampa Bay Downs set a record last year for total all-sources handle and total ontrack handle. Average daily purses were up nearly 7 percent, to $144,967, in 2004-2005.
2005-2006 stakes schedule
| DATE | EVENT | CONDITIONS | DISTANCE | PURSE |
| Sat.,Dec. 10 | Inaugural Stakes | 2YO | 6 furlongs | $60,000 |
| Sat.,Dec. 31 | Sandpiper Stakes | 2YO F | 6 furlongs | 60,000 |
| Sat.,Jan. 7 | Minaret Stakes | F&M, 4YO & Up | 6 furlongs | 60,000 |
| Sat.,Jan. 14 | Pelican Stakes | 4YO & Up | 6 furlongs | 60,000 |
| Sat.,Jan. 21 | Gasparilla Stakes | 3YO F | 7 furlongs | 60,000 |
| Sat.,Jan. 28 | Pasco Stakes | 3YO | 7 furlongs | 75,000 |
| Sat.,Feb. 4 | Manatee Stakes | F&M, 4YO & Up | 7 furlongs | 60,000 |
| Sat.,Feb. 11 | Super Stakes | 4YO & Up | 7 furlongs | 50,000 |
| Sat.,Feb. 18 | Endeavour Breeders' Cup Stakes | F&M, 4YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles (T) | 125,000 |
| Sat.,Feb. 18 | Suncoast Stakes | 3YO F | 1 1/16 miles | 60,000 |
| Sat.,Feb. 18 | Sam F. Davis Stakes | 3YO | 1 1/16 miles | 125,000 |
| Sat.,Feb. 25 | Tampa Bay Breeders' Cup Stakes | 4YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles (T) | 125,000 |
| Sat.,March 4 | Wayward Lass Stakes | F&M, 4YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles | 60,000 |
| Sat.,March 11 | Budweiser Challenger Stakes | 4YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles | 65,000 |
| Sat.,March 18 | Florida Oaks | 3 YO F | 1 1/16 miles | 200,000 |
| Sat.,March 18 | Hillsborough Stakes (G3) | F&M, 4YO & Up | 1 1/8 miles (T) | 150,000 |
| Sat.,March 18 | Tampa Bay Derby (G3) | 3YO | 1 1/16 miles | 250,000 |
| Sat.,March 18 | Turf Dash | 3YO & Up | 5 furlongs (T) | 75,000 |
| Sat.,April 8 | Stonehenge Farm South | 3YO F* | 7 furlongs | 75,000 |
| Sat.,April 8 | Ogle & Company Turf Distaff | F&M, 4YO & Up* | 1 1/16 miles (T) | 75,000 |
| Sat.,April 8 | Ocala Breeders' Sales | 3YO* | 7 furlongs | 75,000 |
| Sat.,April 8 | Dayton Andrews Dodge | 3YO* | 1 1/16 miles (T) | 75,000 |
| Sat.,April 8 | Hilton Garden Inn Sprint | 4YO & Up* | 6 furlongs | 75,000 |
| Sat.,April 8 | Cherokee River Turf Classic | 4YO & Up* | 1 1/8 miles (T) | 75,000 |
| Sat.,May 6 | Chris Thomas Turf Classic | 3YO & Up | 1 1/8 miles (T) | 75,000 |
| Sat.,May 6 | Lightning City Stakes | F&M, 3YO & Up | 5 furlongs (T) | 75,000 |
* Florida-breds preferred