Tampa Bay Downs

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Tampa Bay Downs is a horse track in Tampa, Florida.

[edit] History

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.

[edit] Physical attributes

The main track is a one mile dirt oval. The turf course is seven furlongs and includes a one mile inner chute.

[edit] Racing

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.