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Tampa Bay Stakes Purses to Increase

Track's stakes schedule offers purse money of about $2.6 million. Seven stakes races are offering increases of $25,000, fueled partially by contributions from the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association.

Preakness May be Goal for Cal Nation

WinStar Farm's promising 3-year-old homebred colt Cal Nation will point for the Jerome Handicap (gr. II) with a possible eye toward the May 21 Preakness Stakes (gr. I), according to racing manager Elliott Walden.

Watch Me Go Enters Derby Watch

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
Gilbert Campbell's homebred Watch Me Go enters Derby fray & focuses spotlight on sire West Acre, from the immediate family of Tale of the Cat and Pulpit and Johannesburg and Minardi.

Watch Me Go, 43-1, Pulls TB Derby Shocker

Watch Me Go, sent off at odds of 43-1, outdueled 86-1 longshot Crimson Knight by a neck to post a shocking upset in the $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) March 12 at Tampa Bay Downs.

New Stars Could Shine This Weekend

We could see some new faces on the Derby Trail, despite the presence of Uncle Mo and Brethren.

Mo, Brethren, and the California Question

Will Brethren put away a seemingly overmatched field and continue his ascent to the top of the division? Who will shoot to the top of the class in California? And will Uncle Mo begin his season in style?

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THS: San Felipe Stakes 2011

Jason, Tom and Rich handicap the San Felipe (gr. II), Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II) and the Timely Writer S.

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Brethren Draws Outside Post Again in TB Derby

Brethren drew post 10 again for the $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II), where he is expected to go off as the heavy favorite in the 1 1/16-mile contest. Uncle Mo was also entered but is expected to scratch.

Uncle Mo Shines Spotlight on Timely Writer

Uncle Mo, the 2010 champion 2-year-old male and the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), is expected to launch his 3-year-old season in the Timely Writer Stakes.

LaPenta Gets Allowance Race for Dialed In

Robert LaPenta said March 3 that Dialed in would probably go in the March 12 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II) if a March 6 Gulfstream allowance race did not fill.

Several Factors Led to Race Choice for 'Mo'

Todd Pletcher said Feb. 23 there were a combination of factors that led him to choose the Timley Writer Stakes as the season's debut for star 3-year-old Uncle Mo.

Uncle Mo to Make 3YO Debut at Gulfstream

The connections of Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) favorite Uncle Mo announced Feb. 22 his debut will be the $100,000 Timely Writer Stakes March 12 at Gulfstream Park.

Uncle Mo Might Start in New Gulfstream Race

Mike Repole confirmed Feb. 16 that he and trainer Todd Pletcher are considering the newly-written Timely Writer Stakes at Gulfstream Park for champion Uncle Mo when he makes his 3-year-old debut.

Will Uncle Mo be Derby Tested?

The probable 2-year-old champion could face short fields in both preps.

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Tampa Bay Derby Likely Start for Uncle Mo

Mike Repole, owner of probable 2-year-old champion and early Kentucky Derby (gr. I) favorite Uncle Mo, confirmed Jan. 13 that they are leaning toward the $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II) for his first start of the year.

Tampa Bay Announces Stakes Schedule

Tampa Bay Downs will kick off its 91-day meet Dec. 11, with the Tampa Bay Derby highlighting the Oldsmar, Fla. racetrack's 85th season. Twenty-five stakes will be run for an approximate total of $2.5 million in purses.

Bone Chip Sidelines Odysseus

Derby contender finished last under Rajiv Maragh as the 5-1 co-third choice in the April 10 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I); has a bone chip in his left knee according to owner Satish Sanan.

Blue Grass Likely Spot For Odysseus

Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) winner Odysseus will likely make his final start in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) April 10 at Keeneland, owner Satish Sanan said March 26.

Odysseus Journeys to Churchill Downs

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
The Malibu Moon colt Odysseus embarked on what what might be an epic lead-in to a 2010 Triple Crown campaign when he captured the recent Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III).

And They're Off: March 17, 2010

Lenny and Steve discuss the Jess Jackson, Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta, and the latest Kentucky Derby preps.

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Lookin At Lucky, Zenyatta Top NTRA Polls

Following a "March Madness" style weekend on the track there was plenty of movement in this week's NTRA Thoroughbred Polls released the afternoon of March 15.

KY Derby Contender Profile: Odysseus

Padua Stables' Odysseus, who looked like a beaten horse turning for home in the Tampa Bay Derby, re-rallied during an incredible stretch run and nosed Schoolyard Dreams in the final jump.

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Odysseus Takes Tampa Bay Derby Thriller

Padua Stables' Odysseus, who looked like a beaten horse turning for home, re-rallied during an incredible stretch run and nosed Schoolyard Dreams in the final jump to win a thrilling edition of the $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby

THS: Tampa Bay Derby and San Felipe

Jason, Tom, and Les Instone of twinspires.com preview the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) and the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II).

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Downey: Super Saver, Odysseus Face Home Team

Only seven are entered in the Tampa Bay Derby, but boy, what a tough race--unless Super Saver runs the way he did in his last race--or Odysseus.

She Be Wild Looks to Bounce Back in Fla. Oaks

Champion filly She Be Wild, a disappointing fifth in her season debut last month at Gulfstream Park, ships further north to Tampa Bay Downs in hopes of rebounding in the $175,000 Florida Oaks (gr. III) March 13.

Super Saver Starts Back in Tampa Bay Derby

WinStar Farm's Super Saver will make his much-anticipated 3-year-old debut in the $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) March 13.

HRRN to Broadcast Major March 13 Races

HRRN will broadcast live the Tampa Bay Derby March 13 from Tampa Bay Downs. Coverage will also include the New Orleans Ladies and the Santa Margarita, featuring Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta, respectively

Big Truck Injured, Euthanized at Tampa

Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) winner and 2008 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) starter Big Truck was euthanized after suffering an injury while training at Tampa Bay Downs March 4.

Tampa Bay Derby Contenders in Solid Works

Schoolyard Dreams and Uptowncharlybrown turned in strong works at Tampa Bay Downs March 7 while preparing for the $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III).

Vic Carlson: The Man Behind the Musket

Owner Vic Carlson leaned against the wall of Barn 41 April 29 at Churchill Downs waiting for his Musket Man to head to the track for his morning gallop. The one-time high school athletic director turned money-machine magnate has been to the Kentucky Derby before, but not with some skin in the game.

Musket Man Pulls Out Tampa Bay Derby Win

Eric Fein and Vic Carlson's Musket Man found his best stride inside the sixteenth-pole and edged out longshot Join in the Dance by a neck to win the $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) March 14.

Mar 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

Triple Crown Talk blog, with host Jason Shandler, looks at the Rebel, the Tampa Bay Derby, and the San Felipe. Don't forget to join Jason and professional handicapper "TopTurfTeddy", for a live blog from noon-1 p.m. EDT on Saturday, March 14.

'GQ' Looking Good For Tampa Bay Derby

Tom McCarthy's General Quarters, impressive winner of last month's Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III), will try to prove that his runaway victory was no fluke when he returns for $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) on March 14.

Nowhere to Hide Out of La. Derby

The field for the $600,000 Louisiana Derby (gr. II) was reduced by one on March 12 as Fair Grounds officials learned that My Meadowview Farm's Nowhere to Hide will be scratched.

TVG to Cover Tampa Bay Derby

TVG will broadcast live, trackside coverage of the $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) from Tampa Bay Downs March 14. Coverage of the track's marquee race begins at 4 p.m. ET, with post time at 5:26 p.m. ET.

Upgraded Sam Davis Heads Tampa Bay Meet

The $65,000 Lightning City Stakes, a five furlong turf test for fillies and mares, tops opening day of the 2008-2009 Tampa Bay Downs racing meet, which begins Dec. 13 and runs through May 3. The Tampa Bay stakes schedule encompasses 26 races with more than $2.7 million in purses and is highlighted by the $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) on March 14.

Deputy Glitters to Journeyman Stud

Two-time Derby-winning 3-year-old Deputy Glitters has been retired from racing and will stand his first season in 2009 at Brent and Crystal Fernung's Journeyman Stud in Ocala, Fla.

War Pass Draws Post Five in Wood

Robert LaPenta's War Pass has drawn post position number five in the $750,000 Wood Memorial (gr. I), an April 5 prep for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) that has drawn a field of 10 3-year-old contenders.

LaPenta: War Pass was Perfect for Race

Bob LaPenta and Nick Zito have always taken pride in their honesty, and with the nightmare of War Pass' shocking performance in the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II) still causing them sleepless nights, LaPenta feels the need to address his comment after the race that the colt had a fever earlier in the week.

Commentary: Right to Know

By Dan Liebman - It leaves a bad taste in the collective mouths of the betting public when it believes it has been misled.

Ky. Derby Trail: Cut Off at the Pass

So, the undefeated 2-year-old champion, sent off at 1-20 in the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III), had a fever the week before the race and the public was unaware of it. There is nothing that can be said here that won't be said in the weeks to come by those who bet War Pass, including the bridge jumpers, and those who had invested in him emotionally.

Big Truck Stuns Tampa Bay; War Pass Last

Trainer Barclay Tagg had prophetic words of wisdom for jockey Eibar Coa before he sent Eric Fein's Big Truck to the $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III). He told Coa to ride for second, remarking that they'd win if 1-9 favorite War Pass did not. And that's exactly what happened.

HRTV's Target Louisville - 3/13 (Video)

HRTV's originally produced weekly show on top Derby prospects and the road to the Triple Crown. This week's episode includes a detailed analysis of the Louisiana Derby, an Into Mischief update, and more on Big Brown, plus previews of the San Felipe, Rebel, and Tampa Bay Derby.

Downey: War Pass to Face Pace Test?

War Pass has never raced behind another horse, so an intriguing aspect of the Grade III Tampa Bay Derby will be to see whether something jumps out in front of him early, and how War Pass reacts in such case. There's one in this field that just might do that.

War Pass Ready to Rumble at Tampa Bay

Handicappers who take on the $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) will probably find their challenge not in choosing a winner, but in selecting the order of finish behind Robert LaPenta's prohibitive favorite War Pass.

TVG to Broadcast Tampa Bay Derby Live

TVG broadcasts live from Tampa Bay Downs on March 15, covering four stakes races including the $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III), the anticipated start for undefeated 2-year-old champion War Pass.

Tampa Bay Downs Announces Record Purse Increases

The 82nd season of Tampa Bay Downs racing will feature record increases for both its stakes schedule and daily average purses, it was announced Sept. 20.

Street Sense Impressive in Final Derby Workout

James Tafel's champion colt Street Sense turned in his final serious Kentucky Derby workout Tuesday, April 24, going five furlongs in an impressive :59 over a fast track at Churchill Downs.

Kentucky Derby Trail: Finally Making Some Sense of it All

Not even a change to green silks on St. Patrick's Day for Any Given Saturday could deny 2-year-old champ Street Sense a hard-earned victory in the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III). Also on Saturday, rapidly emerging stars Cobalt Blue and Curlin burst on the Derby scene with impressive scores in their two-turn debuts.