Tampa Bay Downs

Over the past 18 years my husband and I have enjoyed a day at the races. Tampa Bay Downs is just north of Tampa and we go south to Oldsmar and then east onto Race Track Road. This business is only open in the winter months as it is way too hot in the Florida summer. We have been lucky enough to get in free on several occasions. The last few years the development, where we live, have got up day trips. For around $17 we get a seat in the box and a luncheon. It is easy to put bets on. Even better when you win. There is plenty of parking. A fun day out for the family. So if you are in the area give it a try. more

We use to live near this track. The first time we went there we were amazed that they did not run on grass. In U.K. nearly all tracks are grass. Otherwise this is a nice track. The track opened in 1926. The track has operated under many names the most famous being Florida Downs. In 1943, the Army used the track as a training facility. In 1983 the track began offering a periodic Arabian races. In November of 2005 a court ruling by a Florida judge shut down poker tournaments at the poker room, but as of the middle of November live games are still offered. The main track is a one mile dirt oval. The turf course is seven furlongs and includes a one mile inner chute. The track runs two graded stakes: Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby Grade 3 Hillsborough Stakes The track also runs numerous non-graded stakes and the purses have set records in the past several years. The track races from December until May. http://www.drf.com/trackinfo/tampa_bay_downs.html more