Million dollar bonus ties Tampa Bay preps, Kentucky Derby

Owners and trainers will have additional incentive to bring their

three-year-olds of 2014 to Florida's west coast with the creation of the "Tampa

Bay Downs Million Dollar Derby Bonus."

The bonus consists of a guaranteed $1 million payout from Tampa Bay Downs to

the owner(s) of any horse winning the $250,000 Sam F. Davis on February 1; the

$350,000 Tampa Bay Derby on March 8; and the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs

on May 3.

Immediately after the Sam F. Davis, the triumphant jockey will select the

name of a fan who could strike it rich in the "$100,000 Fan Bonus," should the

Davis winner capture the next two races and win the $1 million. The fan's name

shall be drawn from a bin among entrants who have correctly picked the Davis

winner the day of the race. Entry blanks will be distributed at the turnstiles,

to be filled out and deposited in a bin corresponding to an individual's choice

for the race.

In addition, the lucky individual will be treated to free clubhouse seating

and lunch for a party of six for the Tampa Bay Derby and -- should their choice

win March 8 and remain in contention for the bonus -- again on May 3 (Kentucky

Derby Day).

All fans who select the Sam F. Davis winner will be mailed a Tampa Bay Downs

prize package.

"Tampa Bay Downs is thrilled to offer a million-dollar bonus to the

connections of any three-year-old talented enough to sweep all three races,"

General Manager Peter Berube said. "Nothing would make us happier than

presenting $1 million to one of our owners and $100,000 to one of our loyal fans

right after the Run for the Roses on the first Saturday in May.

"We believe this is an ideal way to get more fans involved in Thoroughbred

racing, as well as give them the sensation of what it is like to be an owner --

at least for one race," Berube said.

The Sam F. Davis, which has produced at least one Kentucky Derby starter in

nine of the last 10 years, is part of a lucrative Festival Preview Day card that

includes the $150,000 Tampa Bay for older horses on the turf and the $100,000

Suncoast for three-year-old fillies.

In case of a Sam F. Davis dead heat, both winning ownership groups will be

eligible for the "Tampa Bay Downs Million Dollar Derby Bonus" and the names of

two individuals will be drawn to become eligible for the "$100,000 Fan Bonus."

The Tampa Bay Derby is the centerpiece of a massive Festival Day card on

March 8 that includes a pair of Grade 3 turf stakes: the $200,000 Florida Oaks

for three-year-old fillies and the $150,000 Hillsborough for older fillies and

mares.

Additionally, the Tampa Bay Derby is part of the Kentucky Derby Championship

Series, awarding 50 points to the winner, 20 to the runner-up, 10 for third

place and 5 for fourth place. Points go toward determining which 20 3-year-olds

are eligible for the Kentucky Derby.

Patrons can enter the "$100,000 Fan Bonus" drawing on February 1 at Tampa Bay

Downs by choosing the winner of the Sam F. Davis.  The winner will be drawn

after the Sam F. Davis result is official, entitling the fan to claim $100,000

should their horse also win the Tampa Bay Derby and the Kentucky Derby.

In addition to unveiling plans for the "Tampa Bay Downs Million Dollar Derby

Bonus," Berube announced 33-percent purse increases for three 2013-14 stakes

races -- the Inaugural, Sandpiper, and Super -- to $100,000, thanks to

additional revenue from the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners'

Association.

With the raises, 14 of the track's 25 scheduled stakes will offer purse money

of $100,000 or more. Stakes purses for the meeting now total $2,770,000, an

all-time high in the track's 88-year history.

Previously, the Florida Oaks had been raised from $150,000 to $200,000 and

both the Lightning City on January 25 and the Turf Dash on March 1 had been

increased from $75,000 to $100,000.

"It's always gratifying when we can bolster purses for our horsemen, whether

it's for stakes events or overnight races," Berube said. "With the ongoing

support of our fans and the continuing improvement in the quality of racing, we

have high hopes this trend will continue."

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