Tampa Bay Downs offers $2.5 million stakes schedule

A record-high $2.5 million stakes program for the 2006-2007 meet at Tampa Bay

Downs features purse increases for five of 26 stakes races, including the

track's key Kentucky Derby (G1) prep races, the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and Sam F. Davis

Stakes. 

"Each year where warranted we try to increase the value of key stakes races

to help us maintain or receive graded status on deserving races," said Peter

Berube, vice president and general manager of Tampa Bay Downs. "This year we are

cautiously optimistic that both the Sam F. Davis and Florida Oaks will be

favorably evaluated."

Scheduled for Festival Day on March 17, the Tampa Bay Derby is a

notable stepping stone on the road to the Triple Crown. It will offer a

purse of $300,000 in 2007, increasing by $50,000 over last year. The Tampa Bay

Derby will once again join the $200,000 Florida Oaks for three-year-old fillies

-- which was won this season by three-time Grade 1 victress Bushfire (Louis

Quatorze) -- the $150,000 Hillsborough S. (G3) on the turf and the $75,000 Turf

Dash to comprise the track's premier day of racing.

The Sam F. Davis S. -- won by 2006 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont S. (G1)

runner-up Bluegrass Cat -- now carries a $150,000 purse, a $25,000 increase. It

is the feature on the Festival Preview Day card, set for February 17, along with

the $125,000 Endeavour Breeders' Cup and the $75,000 Suncoast S.

In recent years, the Sam F. Davis has been a springboard for millionaire

colts Burning Roma, The Cliff's Edge and Bluegrass Cat, as the race has grown

into a premier event for three-year-olds with Triple Crown aspirations. The

Tampa Bay Derby continues its role as a key three-year-old test as well. A

Derby victory helped launch millionaires Sun King (Charismatic) in 2005 and Limehouse in 2004,

and was also the stage for Deputy Glitters' (Deputy Commander)

impressive upset win over Bluegrass Cat in 2006.

Festival Day and Festival Preview Day are two of four multi-stakes Saturdays

in the track's upcoming 81st season, which will comprise a 94-day meet running

from December 9 through May 6, 2007. On April 7, 2007, the fifth annual Florida

Cup Day, a showcase for Florida-bred horses, will feature six $85,000 stakes. On

May 5, 2007, Kentucky Derby Day, fans will be treated to renewals of two turf

stakes: the $75,000 Chris Thomas Turf Classic and the $65,000 Lightning City S.